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December to March is considered to be the best time to visit New Zealand. If madding crowds don't confuse you, summer season with its mellow weather will be perfect for grasping the beaches, enjoying clams, exploring Waitomo Glowworm Caves, and stargazing. You could also opt for mild and uncrowded autumn and spring. October and November are all about baby lambs in green pastures and Lupin blooming, while April and May will show you terrific Aurora Australis, Milky Way, and stunning autumn foliage. The North Island gets lots of rains, while South Island often sees massive snowfalls and temperatures below zero between June and September. Winter season rejoices passionate skiers, hot pools lovers, and whale watchers.

96 things to do in New Zealand

Autumn

March 1–May 31 Weather

Long sunny days and bright foliage make autumn a great time to be in New Zealand

Spring

September–November Weather

The weather can bring surprises so pack some layers for any occasion

Winter (Snow Season)

June–August Weather

Mild weather and snow-capped mountains—that’s the main advantage of this season

Queenstown Winter Festival

July 7–10, 2022 ("Welcome to Winter") Event

A ten-day winter fun is made of mountain races, street performances, foods and music, and above all – famous Dog Derby

Pohutukawa Tree

November–January Nature

Pohutukawa tree is known as New Zealand Christmas tree as its crimson blossoms appear during Christmas time

Skydiving in Queenstown

June–August Activity

New Zealand's snowy sceneries look even more amazing from the height of 12,000 feet above the earth

Great White Shark Cage Diving

December–June Activity

The inquisitive great white shark's eyes staring at you will remain in your memory for a long time

Kayaking

January–February Activity

Kayaking in New Zealand will take you to secret and ancient nooks

Cascade Saddle Route

December–February Activity

Most people would like to omit spots like this, unless you are a true adventurer

Lindis Pass

all year round Activity

The highest road on the South Island of New Zealand

Tunnel Beach, Dunedin

November–March Activity

Dunedin Beach with the tunnel, sandstone cliffs, rocks and caves create a nice territory to be explored

Rock Lobsters

mid-May–March Food

Lobster meat is destinguished by sweet flavour that makes your mouth water

Paragliding

March–September Activity

In comparison to sky diving, paragliding allows the pilot to control their flight, making them midair masters

Whitebait Season

mid-August–late November Food

Whitebaits fritters made of transparent worm-like baby fish fried with eggs and flour is a prime New Zealand's delicacy

Tongariro Alpine Crossing

November–May Activity

The stunning beauty of Tongariro volcanic landscapes spotted with emerald-like crater lakes

Sea Lions Breeding Season

November–January Nature

Better not to intrude into the huge mammals' pre-breeding fights and stay away until they settle territorial disputes

Anzac Day

April 25 Event

On the Anzac Day, New Zealanders watch parades and eat legendary Anzac​ biscuits

Te Araroa—New Zealand's Trail

October–March Activity

One of the newest and most beautiful trails in New Zealand, Te Araroa will become your adventure of a lifetime!

Body Board Down the Sand Dunes

November–April Activity

It's like snowboarding, surfing and sledging, yet without snow, water or sledges, just sand dunes and a dose of adrenaline

Birdwatching

September–November Activity

The whole country is considered a birdwatching spot and its coastline​ is labeled as a seabird capital

Rugby Haka

mid-February–early August Activity

New Zealand rugby players keep spectators electrified during the entire match starting with vigorous haka cries

Kiwis' Breeding Season

August–April Nature

Cute flightless baby kiwis are safer and closer to humans at Rainbow Springs, kiwi wildlife park in Rotorua

Blue Lake

November–May Nature

When you look at this amazingly clear water with blue and violet hues, it seems to be fake, but it is real indeed

World of WearableArt Awards Show (WOW)

September 26-October 13, 2024 Event

You're going to be truly WOWed by this explosion of extravagance

Luging

November–April Activity

Comfortable gondolas, fast and twisted luge tracks, and beautiful sceneries make luging compete with traditional sledding

Milford Sound

December–January Nature

White foaming waterfalls cascading down the mountains' peaks are particularly spectacular after heavy rains

Spearfishing

February–June Activity

A nice way to combine diving with hunting

Lupine

mid-November–late December Nature

The scenic landscape of New Zealand’s South Island astonishes with varied colors

Waipoua Forest

December–February Nature

The forest fascinates with its huge ancient kauri trees, colourful ferns, and exotic birds

Wine Harvest

February–April Food

Classic New Zealand wine trail embraces 80% of local wineries

Waitangi Day

February 06 Event

Festivities introduce to Māori culture highlighting traditional underground oven cooking and tribal customs

Snowboarding

mid-June–September Activity

No matter whether you are a novice in this sports or a keen rider, New Zealand boasts slopes and steeps for all levels

Spring Blossoms on the South Island

late August–early October Nature

White and pink colours prevail in spring floral parades throughout the South Island

The Kōwhai

September–mid-October Nature

Sweet-scented yellow kowhai flowers allure numerous birds

The White Heron Sanctuary Tours

September–early March Activity

Elegant White Herons impress with their snow-white plumage and particularly graceful walk

Baby Fur Seals Watching

April–October Nature

Hundreds of restless fur seal pups play in water streams while their moms go hunting in the ocean

Catching Whitebait

West Coast, South Island: September–mid-November | Elsewhere else: August–November Activity

Whitebaiters spend long hours to fish precious whitebait with the nets

Tekapo Springs Hot Pools

June–August Activity

Where else on Earth could you take a hot natural bath outside surrounded by snowy winter sceneries if not in New Zealand?

Climbing Mount Cook

November–early January Activity

When you reach the summit of Mount Cook, New Zealand's highest peak, you will feel like a conqueror of the world

Surfing

September–April Activity

New Zealand surf spot map boasts 28 marks on the North Island and 10 locations on the South Island

Milky Way

June–August Activity

Millions distant stars of the famous Milky Way paint starry rainbows over New Zealand's sky during winter nights

Snow Tubing

late June–August Activity

Similar to coming down the water slides in aquapark, only better, because this time you slide on snow instead of water

Scuba Diving

February–June Activity

New Zealand's underwater kingdom lacks only little mermaids. Otherwise,​ the abundance of marine species is amazing

Gannet Colony

mid-October–April Nature

Gannet couples demonstrate a strong sense of paternal responsibility fighting for the right to hatch their single egg​

Hobbiton

September–February Activity

A fan of ​The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit? Picturesque Hobbiton movie set will transfer you to the Middle-Earth

Jet Boating

September–April Activity

Jet boating in New Zealand's quick and shallow rivers flowing through steep canyons evokes an immeasurable thrill

Monteith's Dog Derby in Queenstown

July 7–10, 2022 Event

Barking and cheering sounds hover over the snowy slopes while dogs and their owners race headlong down

Black Water Rafting

November–April Activity

You will raft the cave rivers, climb up the rocks of Ruakuri Cave, go black water tubing and view blue glow worms

Mt Ruapehu Crater Climb

December–April Activity

You will see rugged rocky slopes, ancient lava flows, glacial valleys and the largest Ruapehu Crater Lake

White Island Tour

September–April Activity

ATTENTION! On December 9, 2019 the volcano eruption occurred. Active marine volcano amazes with bubbling mud pits, multicolored mountains, green lakes, and hot steams

Clams

December–April Food

New Zealand clams cooked in white wine, sweet Thai​ chilli sauce and coconut milk is a culinary masterpiece

Sailing

September–May Activity

Find delight in peaceful, silent and scenic gliding on water

Tawaki—the Rainforest Penguin

July–early December Nature

Tawaki is the only penguin in the world that lives in the rainforest and not in the icebergs' surroundings

Bluff Oysters

March–August Food

Oyster lovers will appreciate particularly succulent, fishy and almost metallic-flavored Bluff Oyster

Golden Kiwifruit

March–May Food

Golden kiwifruit is a special New Zealand's yellow and sweeter kiwi variety

Matariki–Māori New Year

June 20, 2025 Event

Matariki traditional New Year is associated with a miraculous constellation referring to Māori genealogy

Macadamia Nuts

late May–October Food

The sweet taste and soft buttery surface of macadamia nuts make your palate water

Waitomo Glowworm Caves

November–April Nature

No, these lights overhead in the caves are neither stars, nor electric lamps, but actually bioluminescent worms!

Arthur’s Pass

December–February Activity

Alpine beauty elates the hikers of the Arthur's Pass

White Water Rafting

October–May Activity

New Zealand's turbulent rivers invite for a breathtaking white water rafting, just hold tight to keep inside your raft

Sled Dog Experience

July–August Activity

Go for a ride with a team of huskies in a picturesque backcountry

Kororā (Little Penguin) Breeding Season

November–March Nature

Only 25 cm tall, lovely blue penguins waddle 1,5 km, swim 70 km and climb 300 m to lay eggs and feed their offsprings

McLaren Falls Park in Autumn

March–May Nature

Rusty red Cypress trees are the main autumnal decoration of McLaren Falls Park

Whale Watching

June–July Nature

People's favorite marine inhabitants come closer to the shores in winter

Pavlova Dessert

late November–December Food

The soft inner texture of the cake is covered with crispy crust topped with fresh fruits and whipped cream

Huhu Grub

November–March Food

When Huhu beetle larvae are eaten with closed eyes, they may be easily confused with buttery chicken

Hoiho–Yellow-Eyed Penguin

November–early April Nature

Unique appearance of a yellow-eyed penguin hoiho cannot be confused with any other species, even during moulting

Kāwhia Kai Festival–Hamilton Waikato

early February 2023 Event

Māori cuisine has many specialties. Try sweet potato and meat cooked in underground ovens and served in flax baskets

Feijoa

March–June Food

The juicy seeds-filled feijoa flesh is excellent when raw, but also good in puddings, pies and jams

Shotover Canyon

October–November Nature

If you like water extreme sports, try Shotover river and canyon and you'll remember it for the rest of your life​

Bar-Tailed Godwits in New Zealand

September–March Nature

Could you cross 10,000 km without food and rest? Seems unreal, but not for bar-tailed godwits

Stargazing

December–April Nature

There is no better stargazing place in the world than South Island, New Zealand, with its perfect views on other galaxies

Kea Bird

July–January Nature

Curious kea parrots develop ​taste for everything new to diversify their regular diet of plants and berries. It does not matter that they already have wings, they would still sip from your can of Red Bull

Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland

September–May Nature

The thermal wonderland amuses with bright-coloured pools, daily geyser eruptions, steaming grounds, and boiling muds

Skiing

mid-June–September Activity

New Zealand's slopes are excellent for a ski holiday

Dolphin Encounter

June–August Activity

Have you ever dreamt about swimming together with joyful dolphins? Dreams come true in Kaikoura

Aurora Australis

March–September Nature

Green and pink aurora australis hues poured over the dark sky resemble a giant witch's​ pot with a magic potion

Hokitika Wildfoods Festival

March 9, 2024 Event

Beetles larvaes, baby fish with guts and lambs' testicles assure unforgettable experience for adventurous foodies

Persimmon

April–June Food

The fruit consistency varies from soft like jelly to crispy like apples

Great New Zealand Muster

April 6, 2024 Event

It means hundreds of fluffy sheep running along the street of Te Kuiti, the world's shearing capital

Rodeo

December–February Activity

New Zealand rodeo is a thrilling, but also cruel sport that continues despite the protests of animal protection groups

Tamarillo

April–October Food

Cut tamarillos 'bleed' with red gel and are served with a pinch of sugar or salt

Hiking through the Glaciers​

June–August Activity

New Zealand's glaciers are a great wonder of nature and should be included into your must-see list

Wanaka Snow and Ice Driving

June–August Activity

This is your chance to drive prestigious​ European cars on the most challenging ice and snow surface

Black Sand Piha Beach

December–March Nature

Piha Beach in Auckland dazzles with black sands as well as great surfing opportunities and large rocks towering from the water

Hot Water Beach at Coromandel Peninsula

June–August Activity

Jacuzzi is nothing comparing to caressing underground springs gushing out of the dug up sand pools

Passionfruit

February–May Food

Sweet and tart, exotic passion fruit will refresh you during New Zealand's summer and autumn

Electric Gardens Festival

March 30–April 7, 2024 (March 30—Melbourne, March 31—Sydney, April 6-7—Perth) Event

Electronic-centric music festival in Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth

Crankworx Rotorua

March 16-24, 2024 Event

A world famous mountain biking competition

Crown Range Road

March–April | October–November (all year round) Activity

The highest major road in New Zealand boasts scenic views

Kitesurfing & Windsurfing

September–December (all year round) Activity

Enjoy your favorite wind sports surrounded by stunning landscapes

Balloons over Waikato

March 19-23, 2024 Event

One of the largest hot air balloon festivals in New Zealand

New Year's Eve

late December–early January Event

New Zealand is the second country in the world to welcome the New Year

New Zealand Cruises

October–April (December, January, and February are peak months) Activity

Get the ultimate "Lord of the Rings" experience while cruising along New Zealand

Wairarapa Balloon Festival

March 28–April 1, 2024 Event

Colorful ballooons over the beautiful Wairarapa Valley

Classic Fighters Omaka

April 18–20, 2025 Event

An action-packed family-friendly weekend

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