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What's the New Zealand climate like?
New Zealand's relatively small land mass gives us a variable and complex climate. Those living in the far north experience subtropical temperatures, while natives of the south live in a cool, temperate climate. A string of mountain ranges runs the length of New Zealand, bringing severe alpine conditions to mountainous regions. This chain of mountains shelters the eastern side of New Zealand, leaving the western side of the country vulnerable to frequent westerly winds and rain. The West Coast of the South Island is our wettest region, while the area east of the Southern Alps is our driest area.

• Rainfall - most parts of New Zealand have annual rainfall of between 600 and 1,600 millimetres. In the north of New Zealand and central regions, rain fall is greatest in winter, while in southern regions winter is the driest season.
• Temperature - on average, northern regions are warmer than their southern counterparts; the average annual temperature ranges from 10°C in the south to 16°C in the north. Our hottest months are January and February, while our chilliest time of year is usually July.
• Sunshine - sunshine hours are greatest in sheltered eastern parts of New Zealand, with Nelson and Marlborough tallying the highest number of sun-filled hours in the country.
  

Where can I get NZ weather updates and forecasts?
The Web is a great place to find a weather forecast or update: our New Zealand weather section offers up-to-date weather reports and local weather forecasts for all New Zealand regions:

Northland weather - beaches, sunshine and warmth draw many visitors to Northland and make this the lifestyle home of choice for many. The Northland region is the warmest in New Zealand, with high summer temperatures, sunny weather, and high humidity and rainfall.

Auckland weather - the City of Sails offers a great location for boating and other outdoor recreation, with a temperate semi-tropical climate, tempered only by winds and changeable weather conditions because of Auckland City’s proximity to the sea.

Coromandel weather - the Coromandel Peninsula is lucky enough to get some of New Zealand’s best weather. Unsurprisingly, it’s a top destination for Aucklanders and those from further afield, with its sandy beaches, idyllic seascapes and warm summer weather.

Waikato weather - the heart of New Zealand’s dairy farming industry, the Waikato region is rolling farmland and lush, green pastures. The climate of the region keeps the land green, with high rainfall and warm weather.

Bay of Plenty weather - boasting some of the sunniest, warmest weather in New Zealand, Bay of Plenty beaches and the iconic Mount Maunganui make this region a fantastic holiday spot for many. The favourable climate is also ideal for fruit crops, such as kiwifruit, feijoas and citrus fruits.

East Coast weather - warm in summer and mild in winter, the East Coast of the North Island is the first to greet each day. The area is ideal for outdoor pursuits and water sports, as well as the growing of grapes to produce award winning wines.

Central Plateau weather - the centre of the North Island is cooler than other northern parts of the New Zealand, with a diverse geography spanning mountains, lakes, rivers, forests and active volcanoes. Summer brings visitors to the region’s national park, while winter draws crowds to the ski slopes of Mount Ruapehu.

Hawkes Bay weather - on the east coast of the North Island, this region enjoys over 2,000 hours of sunshine every year. This sunny climate provides ideal conditions for wine production and growing fresh produce, both of which have made this region famous.

Taranaki weather - best known for the iconic form of Mount Taranaki and the beautiful Egmont National Park surrounding the mountain, this region offers something to do in every season. Enjoy beautiful scenery and walks in lush forest during summer, then ski the slopes when winter hits.

Manawatu and Wanganui weather - a mild, temperate climate makes this lower North Island region attractive year round. The Whanganui River is the focus of the area, drawing people to its waters for rafting, kayaking, jet boating and cultural tours.

Wairarapa weather - a mild climate in Wairarapa brings bumper crops from the region’s vineyards, orchards and olive groves. Enjoy local wines and fresh produce at cafes and restaurants in Masterton and Martinborough, both popular weekend escapes for Wellingtonians.

Wellington weather - Wellington City is best known for its strong winds and unsettled weather; the Greater Wellington region is generally mild, with moderate rainfall and frequent windy days. Visit our capital city for its many attractions, including live theatre, art galleries, the national museum Te Papa, Parliament buildings, the Botanic gardens, cafes and markets.

Nelson weather - this region enjoys some of the sunniest weather in the country, providing ideal climatic conditions for the production of award winning wines. Fine, warm weather is also perfect for a visit to one of the region’s three national parks: Nelson Lakes, Kahurangi and Abel Tasman.

Marlborough weather - sharing Nelson’s sunny weather, the Marlborough region offers warm, dry and settled weather, with shelter from mountains to the west and south. Cruise Pelorus Sound, sample wines at one of Blenheim’s vineyards or walk the coastal Queen Charlotte Track.

West Coast weather - heavy and frequent rainfall characterise the West Coast of the South Island. Stretching 600km from Karamea and Westport in the north to Haast in the south, the region is a popular destination for those wanting to explore New Zealand’s lush rainforests, see glaciers up close and spend time on some of our wildest beaches.

Canterbury weather - covering a large portion of the South Island, Canterbury experiences warm summers and crisp, dry winters. The region’s main centre, Christchurch, offers many recreational and cultural attractions at any time of the year, including access to local ski areas, beaches, galleries and museums, parks, markets and shops. Kaikoura and Hanmer Springs are other top destinations in the region.

Otago weather - the Otago region combines snow covered mountains, forests, rivers and lakes, and wide open areas. The area’s climate brings hot summers and cold winters. Otago’s main centre, Dunedin, is a university town with a proud Scottish heritage and a reputation for chilly frosts, steep streets, Edwardian architecture and a vibrant atmosphere.

Southland weather - encompassing a diverse range of environments, from farmland to rainforest and coastal settings, Southland has a varied climate. Generally, the region has cool temperatures year round, with extremely cold winters and ground frosts on around 80 days each winter.

NZS.com receives current weather data from MetService, the Meteorological Service of New Zealand. The MetService also provide specialised weather information, such as marine forecasts, coastal conditions, storm warnings, mountain forecasts and ski field conditions. MetService is the New Zealand equivalent of Australia's Bureau of Meterology (BOM).

Is climate change happening in New Zealand?
It's generally accepted now that the global climate has been, and continues to be, affected by human activity. Our impact on the environment may have contributed to extreme weather conditions such as droughts, storms and flooding. The effect of climate change on New Zealand is monitored and researched by the New Zealand Climate Change government agency, while the gassy emissions of our four-footed friends and the agricultural sector are measured and mitigated by the Ministry for the Environment.

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Travel images from Flickr: Weather Gauge, New Zealand Lake and Dolphin.