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When is the best time to visit New Zealand?
Find out when the best time is to visit New Zealand based on price, peak season and what you want to do.
Got your eye on a trip to New Zealand? We’ve figured out the ideal time to go based on your holiday needs.
Best times to visit New Zealand
- December–February for outdoor activities and sightseeing
- June–August for snow sports
Why?
New Zealand offers a little bit of something for everybody. During summer you can tramp its network of trails, clink glasses in a lauded winery, or test your wits against all manner of extreme sports, from canyon swinging to zorbing.
During the winter months the place to be is on a snow-capped mountain, barrelling down on skis or a snowboard, at one of the country’s best ski resorts.
Overview
New Zealand enjoys all four seasons. Summers are mild with highs of 30℃ while winters are chilly with lows of 0℃.
The islands are a popular holiday destination for Australians due to the short flight time, and the availability of low-cost flights. Steer clear of school holiday periods, as well as the peak snow season, to cash in on cheaper flights and accommodation.
Weather and prices
To enjoy warm weather and clear skies, the best time to travel weather-wise is December to February.
The most economic period to search for flights and hotels is during the shoulder seasons, from March to May, and September to November. During the wintery low-season, between June and October, you can also find heavy discounts if you head to destinations that are outside the ski resort towns.
Best time to visit New Zealand for...
- Extreme sports: Most extreme sports operate year round but for the best experience visit during summer between December and February.
- Snow sports: New Zealand’s ski season isJune to August.
- Hiking: As summers are mild, tramping during the Christmas holidays is still a possibility. For cooler weather, tramp during autumn or spring.
- Wine breaks: Visiting wineries between November to February offers you the chance to see the vineyards prior to harvest, which is typically the busiest time of the year for workers.
- Glacier hikes: Franz Josef and Fox glaciers are located in mountainous areas where the weather can vary greatly and is extremely unpredictable. Helicopter companies can decide whether or not to fly to the glaciers just minutes before flights are scheduled, so it’s advisable to keep an eye on the weather on a daily basis before booking a visit. You can keep on top of the weather forecast here.
Hot New Zealand travel deals
Lastminute.com.au
Up to 50% off Australia and New Zealand stays
Valid for stays on select dates. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Cairns, Auckland and more. T&Cs apply.
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Hotels.com
Extra 8% off on hotel bookings
Save on hotel stays before 31 December 2020 in Australia, New Zealand, Bali, Fiji, Thailand, Singapore, USA and more. Available at select hotels.
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Europcar
Up to 20% off Australia and New Zealand rentals
Available on select dates until 15 December 2020. Rental must be for 2 days or more and booked 21 days in advance. T&Cs apply.
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Airbnb
New Zealand stays from $30/night
Available on select dates from July onward for Auckland, Wellington, Queenstown and Christchurch stays. T&Cs apply.
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Europcar
Up to 20% off base rate
Available on rentals until 15 December 2020 in Australia and New Zealand. Pick up on Sunday, Monday or Tuesday required to avail offer. T&Cs apply
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Trafalgar Tours
Up to 15% off last minute trips
Valid for travel on select dates in 2020 and 2021. Destinations include Europe, UK, the Middle East, Argentina, India, Asia, New Zealand, Australia and Africa and more. T&Cs apply.
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Otel.com
Extra 9% off hotel bookings
Valid on select hotel stays worldwide like Australia, New Zealand, Bali, Thailand, USA, Europe and more on all dates, including over holidays like Easter, Christmas and New Year's Eve. Some restrictions apply.
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TourRadar
Anniversary sale: Up to 56% off worldwide tours
Available on select tours in 2021 to Japan, Australia, Greece, New Zealand, Italy, USA and more.
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G Adventures
Up to 15% off Australia and New Zealand tours
Available on select dates until 31 August 2021. Destinations include Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne, Auckland, Queenstown and more. T&Cs apply.
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DriveNow
Campervan hire from $5/day
Available on select routes, dates and locations in Australia and New Zealand.
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STA Travel
New Zealand flights from $419 return
Available on select dates from September 2020 - March 2021 to Auckland, Queenstown and more. Sample fare is Melbourne-Christchurch with Virgin Australia.
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Destination International
7-day Niue and New Zealand getaway with flights from $1,899
Available for travel from February - March 2021. Includes return airfares, transfers, accommodations and more.
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Trafalgar Tours
Up to 5% off family tours
Available on select travel dates in 2020 and 2021 when you book for 5 people or more. Destinations include Australia, New Zealand, Europe, South Africa and more. T&Cs apply.
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Up to 5% off group tours
Available on select travel dates in 2020 and 2021 when you book for 9 people or more. Destinations include Australia, New Zealand, Europe, South Africa and more. T&Cs apply.
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OneTravel
Up to 25% off worldwide hotels
Available on select dates in Las Vegas, London, Paris, Australia, New Zealand and more.
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TourRadar
Up to 30% off Australia and New Zealand tours
Available on select dates until December 2021. Destinations include Sydney, Cairns, Adelaide, Darwin, Byron Bay, Christchurch, Auckland and more.
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Kayak
New Zealand flights from $257 return
Available on select dates fro September 2020 - January 2021 to Christchurch, Wellington and more. Sample fare is Sydney-Auckland with Jetstar.
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I Want That Flight
New Zealand flights from $319 return
Available on select dates from November 2020 - January 2021 to Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and more. Sample fare is Melbourne-Queenstown with Jetstar.
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Luxury Escapes
Up to 28% off New Zealand getaway with flights
Available for travel until 31 October 2021. Package includes return flights, stay at The Spire Hotel Queenstown, breakfast and more. Valid for 2 adults. T&Cs apply.
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Contiki
Up to 15% off New Zealand trips
Available on selected trips departing from 2 August 2020 - 8 October 2021 to Christchurch, Auckland, Rotorua, Queenstown and more. T&Cs apply.
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Trafalgar Tours
Up to 10% off + $99 deposit on Australia and New Zealand tours
Available on select dates in 2021 to Adelaide, Melbourne, Darwin, Auckland, Christchurch and more. T&Cs apply.
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Hertz
Up to 20% off Australia and New Zealand car hires
Available on rentals until 31 October 2020 when you book for 7+ days. T&Cs apply.
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Hotels.com
Up to 30% off New Zealand hotels
Available on select stay dates until December 2020 in Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington and more.
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TourRadar
Up to 50% off advance purchase
Available on select dates in 2020 and 2021 when you book 90 days in advance. Destinations include Maldives, Lisbon, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand and more.
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Cheap Flights
Cook Islands flights from $766 return
Available on flights from September 2020 - January 2021. Sample fare is Sydney-Rarotonga with Air New Zealand and Jetstar.
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Cheap Flights
New Zealand flights from $316 return
Available on select dates from August - December 2020 to Christchurch, Dunedin, Auckland and more. Sample fare is Melbourne-Queenstown with Jetstar.
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Luxury Escapes
Up to 26% off luxurious New Zealand escape with flights
Available for travel from 1 September 2020 - 31 October 2021. Package includes return airfare, accommodation at Amuri Villas, breakfast and more. Valid for 2 persons. T&Cs apply.
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Hostelworld
New Zealand stays from $13/night
Available on select stay dates until December 2020. Destinations include Auckland, Queenstown, Christchurch, Wellington and more. Sample stay is at K Road City Travellers.
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Hotelopia
Extra 8% off with code
Available on stays until 31 December 2020 in Australia, New Zealand, USA and more. T&Cs apply.
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Oaks Hotels & Resorts
Up to 30% off Australia and New Zealand stays
Available on stays until 31 March 2021. Plus get extra 10% off by joining OAKS DISCOVERY. T&Cs apply.
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Bookabach NZ
New Zealand stays from NZD$46/night
Available on select 2020 dates in Auckland, Waihike Island, Rotorua and more. Sample rate is for a stay at a petite cabin in Mangawhai Park. T&Cs apply.
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Cruise Direct
Last minute cruises from USD$109
Available on select dates in 2020 to Australia, New Zealand, London, Amsterdam, Italy, Greece and more. T&Cs apply.
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Stayz
New Zealand stays from $20/night
Available on stays in 2020 in Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin and more. Sample stay is for a bed in a dormitory in Queenstown.
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Millennium & Copthorne Hotels
Up to 10% off + 2,000 bonus points on New Zealand stays
Available for stays until 31 March 2021 when you book for a minimum of 2 nights stay. Valid for My Millennium members only. T&Cs apply.
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Destination International
14-day New Zealand getaway from $4,799 with flights
Available on select dates from February - November 2021. Package includes return flights, accommodation, Queenstown Skyline Gondola with dinner, transfers and more. T&Cs apply.
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Trafalgar Tours
$99 Deposits on worldwide tours
Available for travel from 1 September 2020- 31 October 2021. Destinations include Australia, New Zealand, London, Vietnam, USA and more. T&Cs apply
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Destination International
8-day New Zealand getaway with flights from $2,299
Available for travel on select dates from 1 February - 30 November 2021. Package includes return economy flights, accommodation, transfers, tours, car rental and more. T&Cs apply.
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Europcar
Up to 15% off New Zealand rentals
Available on rentals until 31 December 2020. Minimum 5 days rental required. T&Cs apply.
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Viator
Things to do in New Zealand from $9.46
Available on select dates in 2020 and 2021 in Auckland, Wellington, Dunedin, Wellington and more. Activities include day tours, flight experiences, transfers, bike hires, attraction passes and more. T&Cs apply.
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Oaks Hotels & Resorts
10% off stays in Australia and New Zealand
Valid for My Oaks members. Membership is free and also entitles guests to late check-out and complimentary Internet use. T&Cs apply.
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Popular Travel coupon codes
| Last checked | Code description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| 5 Aug 2020 | Extra 8% off on hotel bookings | CLP**** |
| 4 Aug 2020 | Extra 10% off experiences with code | RBF**** |
| 29 Jul 2020 | Get $20 credit | FIN**** |
| 13 Jul 2020 | Extra $10 off site-wide with code | FDR**** |
| 22 May 2020 | Extra 9% off hotel bookings | AUT**** |
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