New Zealand's climate is complex and varies from warm subtropical in the far north to cool temperate climates in the far south, with severe alpine conditions in the mountainous areas.
Mountain chains extending the length of New Zealand provide a barrier for the prevailing westerly winds, dividing the country into dramatically different climate regions. The West Coast of the South Island is the wettest area of New Zealand, whereas the area to the east of the mountains, just over 100 km away, is the driest.
Most areas of New Zealand have between 600 and 1600 mm of rainfall, spread throughout the year with a dry period during the summer. Over the northern and central areas of New Zealand more rainfall falls in winter than in summer, whereas for much of the southern part of New Zealand, winter is the season of least rainfall.
Mean annual temperatures range from 10°C in the south to 16°C in the north of New Zealand. The coldest month is usually July and the warmest month is usually January or February. In New Zealand generally there are relatively small variations between summer and winter temperatures, although inland and to the east of the ranges the variation is greater (up to 14°C). Temperatures also drop about 0.7°C for every 100 m of altitude.
Sunshine hours are relatively high in areas that are sheltered from the west and most of New Zealand would have at least 2000 hours annually. The midday summer solar radiation index (UVI) is often very high in most places and can be extreme in northern New Zealand and in mountainous areas. Autumn and spring UVI values can be high in most areas.
Most snow in New Zealand falls in the mountain areas. Snow rarely falls in the coastal areas of the North Island and west of the South Island, although the east and south of the South Island may experience some snow in winter. Frosts can occur anywhere in New Zealand and usually form on cold nights with clear skies and little wind.
Climate zones
To summarize the climate of New Zealand, selected locations throughout the country have been grouped into broad climate zones. A brief description of each climate zone illustrating the average rainfall and temperature can be reached by clicking on the links below:
The data are monthly averages for the period 1971–2000, for locations with at least 5 years of complete data.
Station details of each location
Similar scales have been used for each graph to allow comparison between locations.
Climate data
We also provide downloadable files for monthly and annual rain, temperature, sunshine, frost and wind data for selected locations throughout New Zealand. Actual data recorded at Reefton can be accessed for use in statistical analyses (see CliFlo).
Resource prepared by Lesley Mackintosh
RSNZ Teacher Fellow 2001, NIWA
As an enthusiast with a deep understanding of New Zealand's climate, I can attest to the complexity and variability of this fascinating subject. New Zealand's climate is a unique blend of warm subtropical conditions in the far north and cool temperate climates in the far south, with the added challenge of severe alpine conditions in mountainous areas.
The mountain chains that span the length of New Zealand play a crucial role, acting as a barrier for the prevailing westerly winds. This geographical feature distinctly divides the country into diverse climate regions, each with its own set of meteorological characteristics. One notable example is the West Coast of the South Island, recognized as the wettest area in New Zealand, while just over 100 km away to the east of the mountains lies the driest region.
Rainfall patterns across New Zealand generally range between 600 and 1600 mm, spread throughout the year, with a dry period in the summer. However, there are variations in the distribution of rainfall between the northern, central, and southern parts of the country. Winter tends to be the season of higher rainfall in the northern and central areas, while the southern regions experience the least rainfall during winter.
Temperature-wise, New Zealand exhibits mean annual temperatures ranging from 10°C in the south to 16°C in the north. July is typically the coldest month, while January or February is the warmest. Although there are relatively small variations between summer and winter temperatures in most areas, the inland and eastern regions, beyond the mountain ranges, experience more significant temperature fluctuations, up to 14°C.
Altitude also plays a role in temperature variations, with temperatures dropping by about 0.7°C for every 100 meters of altitude. Sunshine hours are notably high in areas sheltered from the west, with most of New Zealand receiving at least 2000 hours of sunshine annually. The midday summer solar radiation index (UVI) can be exceptionally high, especially in northern New Zealand and mountainous areas, while autumn and spring UVI values remain elevated in most regions.
Snowfall is primarily concentrated in mountainous areas, with coastal areas of the North Island and the west of the South Island experiencing rare snowfall. Frosts can occur anywhere in New Zealand, typically on clear, cold nights with little wind.
To summarize the climate of New Zealand, various locations have been grouped into broad climate zones, each characterized by average rainfall and temperature. These climate zones include Northern New Zealand, Central North Island, South-West North Island, Eastern North Island, Northern South Island, Western South Island, Eastern South Island, Inland South Island, Mount Cook, Southern New Zealand, Chatham Islands, Scott Base.
The provided climate data covers the period from 1971 to 2000, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the weather conditions. Monthly and annual data for rain, temperature, sunshine, frost, and wind are available for selected locations throughout New Zealand, allowing for in-depth analysis and comparison. This valuable resource, prepared by Lesley Mackintosh, a RSNZ Teacher Fellow in 2001 at NIWA, provides a detailed glimpse into the intricate climatic patterns of New Zealand.
