Regional Differences
Northern New Zealand
Kaitaia, Whangarei, Auckland, Tauranga
Subtropical with warm humid summers and wet mild winters.
Summer temperatures range from 22°C (72°F) to 26°C (80°F) and winter temperatures range from 12°C (54°F) to 17°C (63°F).
Annual sunshine hours average 2000. Average rainfall is 1245mm (49”).
Central North Island
Hamilton, Taupo, Rotorua
Warm, dry, settled weather summers and cool winters.
Summer temperatures range from 21°C (70°F) to 26°C (80°F) and winter temperatures 10°C (50°F) to 14°C (58°F).
Annual sunshine hours average 2000-2100 in most places.
Eastern North Island
Gisborne, Napier, Masterton
A dry sunny climate, with some frosts in winter.
Summer daytime temperatures range from 20°C (68°F) to 28°C (83°F), with occasional extremes of 39°C (102°F).
Winter temperatures range from 10°C (50°F) to 16°C (61°F).
Annual sunshine hours average 2200.
Southwest North Island
New Plymouth, Wanganui, Palmerston North, Wellington
Often windy, but with few climate extremes. The most settled weather is during summer and early autumn.
Typical summer temperatures range from 19°C (66°F) to 24°C (75°F).
Winter temperatures range from 10°C (50°F) to 15°C (59°F).
Annual sunshine hours average 2000.
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Northern South Island
Nelson, Blenheim, Marlborough Sounds
This is the sunniest region in New Zealand, with warm, dry and settled weather in summer.
Summer temperatures range from 20°C (69°F) to 26° (80°F) but can rise to above 30°C (86°F).
Winter days are mild with temperatures ranging between 10°C (50°F) and 15°C (59°F).
Annual sunshine hours average 2300.
Western South Island
Westport, Hokitika, Milford Sound
Mean annual rainfall is very high, but long dry spells occur, especially in late summer and winter.
Summers are mild, with a typical temperature range from 17°C (63°F) to 22°C (72°F).
Winter temperatures range from 10°C (50°F) to 14°C (57°F).
Average sunshine hours average 1860.
Eastern South Island
Kaikoura, Christchurch, Timaru
Mean annual rainfall is low, with long dry spells in summer.
Summer temperatures range from 18°C (64°F) to 26°C (80°F) but may rise above 30°C (86°F).
Winters are cold with frequent frost. Temperatures range from 7°C (45°F) to 14°C (57°F).
Annual sunshine hours average 2100.
Inland South Island
Lake Tekapo, Queenstown, Alexandra, Manapouri
Annual rainfall is low, with long dry spells in summer.
Typical summer temperatures range from 20°C (68°F) to 26°C (80°F) and occasionally rise above 30°C (86°F).
Frequent frosts and snow in winter with temperatures ranging from 3°C (37°F) to 11°C (53°F).
Annual sunshine hours average 2180.
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Southern New Zealand
Dunedin, Invercargill
Most of this zone is characterised by cool coastal breezes.
Typical summer temperatures range from 16°C (61°F) to 23°C (73°F).
Winters are cold, with infrequent snowfalls but frequent frost. Typical winter temperatures range from 8°C (46°F) to 12°C (54°F).
Annual sunshine hours average 1600.
Film New Zealand kindly acknowledges the National Institute of Water and Atmosphere (NIWA) as the major source of this climate information. For more details, please visit www.niwascience.co.nz.
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