New Zealand Info2018-10-29T06:35:02+00:00
Information about whether, driving, and events in New Zealand along with a FAQ

Weather in New Zealand

The weather in New Zealand can change unexpectedly to say the least, you might experience four seasons in one day. It’s possible to start your day off with blue sky and sunshine, but arrive at your destination in rain and hail. It’s best to check the forecast a few days before your trip begins. This can help in ensuring you have packed appropriately for the weather ahead.

The average New Zealand temperature decreases as you travel south. January and February are the warmest months, and July is the coldest month of the year.

Seasons in New Zealand

Spring in New Zealand

Spring

September – November
Average daytime temperature:
16 – 19˚C (61 – 66˚F)

Summer in New Zealand

Summer

December – February
Average daytime temperature:
20 – 25˚C (68 – 77˚F)

Autumn in New Zealand

Autumn / Fall

March – May
Average daytime temperature:
17 – 21˚C (62 – 70˚F)

Winter in New Zealand

Winter

June – August
Average daytime temperature:
12 – 16˚C (53 – 61˚F)

Driving in New Zealand

Exploring New Zealand’s beautiful landscapes by car, campervan or motorhome is a popular way to get around.

Here are few things to keep in mind before you get behind the wheel:

  • You can legally drive in New Zealand for up to 12 months if you have a current driver’s licence or an International Driving Permit that is issued in English or translated into English. If the licence is not in English, you must carry an accurate English translation.
  • You will only be able to drive the same types of vehicles you are licensed to drive in your home country. The common legal age to rent a car in New Zealand is 21 years.
  • Always drive on the left-hand side of the road in New Zealand.
  • Drivers and passengers must wear seat belts or child restraints at all times, in both front and rear seats.
  • Signposting follows standard international symbols and all distances are in kilometres (km).
  • Do not drink and drive. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a crime in New Zealand.
  • Driving while using a hand-held cellphone is illegal in New Zealand.
  • It is illegal to pass other cars where there is yellow line instead of a white line marking the middle of the road. The yellow line indicates that it’s too dangerous to overtake.
  • New Zealand’s diverse terrain means roads are often narrow, hilly and windy with plenty of sharp corners. Outside of the main cities, there are very few motorways. Most of our roads are single lane in each direction without barriers in between. You may also encounter gravel roads. It’s important to allow plenty of time, go slow and pull over in a safe place if traffic wants to pass from behind you.
  • Maps don’t show how narrow and windy roads can be. What might look like a short trip can take a long time.
  • Snow, ice and fog can be common in winter, especially in the South Island and around mountain passes.
  • Only half of the 1500 rail crossings in New Zealand have automatic alarms. When red lights are flashing it means a train is coming so stop and only proceed once the lights have stopped flashing. Other crossings have a ‘Railway Crossing’ sign and give way or stop signs only. If you see this, stop, look both ways and only cross the track if there are no trains approaching.

Events in New Zealand

Events In New Zealand

New Zealand has a multitude of events happening all year round. Some events let you sample fresh local produce and world-class wine in food and wine festivals while others allow you to go on an adventure through lush countryside or majestic mountains on a cycle. Needless to say, local events are one of the best ways to experience the native culture and thriving arts scene be it in outdoor music festival set against a beautiful backdrop or a major sports competition.

So make sure you check the some of the exciting events that may be coinciding with the time of your visit so you can add them to your itinerary. See links below to get an idea of local and community-based events.

Frequently Asked Questions

It is often easy to underestimate the time required to see New Zealand mainly due to the fact that there is so much to see and do in this beautiful country. And although one could go a lifetime without fully being able to explore the length and breadth of the country, we feel between 14 to 28 days is an adequate estimate to visit all major landmarks and get glimpses off the diverse and breathtaking landscapes, exciting activities, scrumptious foods and world-class wines that this region has to offer.
This relatively small but incredibly beautiful country divided into 2 main islands offers a plethora of options you can choose from to travel from one destination to another.

  • New Zealand’s public transport includes buses, trains and ferries which you can take as you soak in the country’s beautiful natural flora and fauna.
  • If time is of the essence then flights are easy to catch from city to city, and no flight is longer than two hours.
  • However, many travellers love seeing New Zealand at their own time and pace, making Self-drive is a popular way to explore the country. Renting a car or campervan is relatively simple and easy and available at available in all major cities.
  • If you’d like a pre-planned itinerary and someone to drive you, we at The Long White Cloud will be more than happy to arrange that for you.
For anyone looking for thrills and excitement, New Zealand is perhaps the ultimate adventure destination. It offers unparalleled experiences that are suited to various levels of fitness and multiple age groups. Most operators offering adventure activities in New Zealand are certified under the New Zealand Adventure Activities Certification Scheme and adhere to the safety regulations and guidelines established under the scheme. The regulations also require commercial adventure tourism and outdoor operators in New Zealand who provide adventure activities to undergo regular safety audits and to become registered.

Having said that, adventure activities are not entirely risk-free and prone to minor accidents ever so often. It is advised that you carefully choose the adventure activities you wish to engage in after a medical approval from your personal physician and do your due diligence before choosing a service provider offering the adventure activities.

We at The Long White Cloud, only work with certified operators who have an impeccable track record. We guide you at every point of the way and help you associate with the best service providers at every destination.

Some of the most popular adventure activities to consider for your next trip are Skydiving, Bungy, Jet Boating, Rafting, Caving, Zip Lining, Canyoning, Off-road driving, Heli-skiing, Zorb or OGO.

New Zealand offers a diverse range of cuisines. It’s food and wine represent a multi-cultural melting pot blend of Asian, Pacific and European influences. You’ll discover food and wine that’s original, world-class, and fresh from the source. Apart from the usual fare, there is now a growing number of vegetarian and vegan eateries in New Zealand offering you the best there is from the plant kingdom.

Many cities in New Zealand also offer authentic Indian food catering to all kinds of regional delicacies such as North Indian, South Indian, Jain food and much more!

If you have any specific food-related requirements or concerns, do mention it to us during the booking process our team at The Long White Cloud will try our best to ensure that we address the same.

Winters (June – August) in New Zealand are usually cold with it snowing in certain parts of the country and temperatures usually ranging from 1.5 – 15.5 degrees Celsius (35 – 60F).
The snow-covered soaring mountains are often enticing during winters and create an idyllic surroundings for locals and visitors alike. An ideal time to hit the ski slopes, or visit a winery or two.
Summers (December – February) in New Zealand are usually warmer with temperatures usually ranging from 20 – 25˚C degrees Celsius (68 – 77˚F).
Sunshine hours are high, and rain is not overly common in most places making it an ideal time to get outdoors and enjoy the scenic beaches or lakes. If you plan on visiting during the summer months, make sure your itinerary is full with beach picnics, kayaking, snorkelling, sailing or swimming.
This relatively small but incredibly beautiful country divided into 2 main islands offers a plethora of options you can choose from to travel from one destination to another.

  • New Zealand’s public transport includes buses, trains and ferries which you can take as you soak in the country’s beautiful natural flora and fauna.
  • If time is of the essence then flights are easy to catch from city to city, and no flight is longer than two hours.
  • However, many travellers love seeing New Zealand at their own time and pace, making Self-drive is a popular way to explore the country. Renting a car or campervan is relatively simple and easy and available at available in all major cities.
  • If you’d like a pre-planned itinerary and someone to drive you, we at The Long White Cloud will be more than happy to arrange that for you.
Depending on who you fly with flight times can range from 12 hours to a weekend stopover. Many airlines fly to New Zealand from various cities and prices vary considerably. Do let us know if you require flight tickets during the booking process and we will ensure you get the best deal available.
Whether you are toddler, teenager, adult or an active senior, there is always something awesome for you in New Zealand. For the brave of heart there’s bungy, skydiving, caving, canyoning & more, but if you simply want to soak in the breathtakingly beautiful landscapes and explore vast pristine wilderness areas then there are plenty of walking and hiking options to suit all levels of fitness and experience. If you prefer the water to land then you will be spoilt for choice in New Zealand. Sailing, surfing, diving, fishing – kiwis love the water.

You can also taste your way around New Zealand with its original, world-class food & wine options along with a range of cuisines on offer throughout the country. Another must experience that people of all ages enjoy in New Zealand is exploring the māori culture by visiting a marae with an organised tour.

We also offer itineraries specifically crafted for active seniors or young adults who are adventurously inclined. Let us know your preferences at the time of the booking process and we will be happy to personalise your trip so that you can enjoy your dream holiday to New Zealand.

Deciding on what to do and see in New Zealand can be an extremely arduous task given the sheer number of options available. Exploring New Zealand’s magnificent landscape and coastline is a priority for many and then there’s a long list of thrilling activities to get your blood racing.

If however, it is relaxation that you crave, then there’s hot pools, vineyards and cultural attractions to keep you entertained. Needless to say, there’s something for everyone in New Zealand and sometimes the hardest part of planning your holiday will be deciding which to do first!

We at the long white cloud, work with you right from the beginning to understand your desires and expectations of the holiday and propose a personalised itinerary that allows you to accomplish the same. We then guide you every step of way so that you seamlessly enjoy checking off all the items of that must-do in New Zealand list.

Tours starting at NZD $1600* per person …

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