idealclimatemap

Best climate in New Zealand

Of 38 weather stations with good records in New Zealand, Napier Aerodrome Aws (167), Whangarei Aerodrome (164) and Kerikeri Aero Aws (163) had the most warm, dry days a year in 2023–2025.

A warm, dry day here has a high of 18–33 °C, no more than 1 mm of rain and wind under 20 km/h. Across the country the best months are January, February and March.

Map of weather stations, shaded by warm, dry days a yearLe Bon Bay Aws: 23 warm, dry days a yearCape Campbell Aws: 28 warm, dry days a yearCastlepoint: 31 warm, dry days a yearNugget Point Aws: 31 warm, dry days a yearSecretary Island Aws: 61 warm, dry days a yearInvercargill Airport Aws: 61 warm, dry days a yearMount Cook Aerodrome Aws: 69 warm, dry days a yearMilford Soundn Aws: 71 warm, dry days a yearWestport Aerodrome: 78 warm, dry days a yearHokitika Aerodrome: 85 warm, dry days a yearNgawi: 101 warm, dry days a yearQueenstown (Queenstown Aerodrome): 101 warm, dry days a yearFarewell Spit Aws: 102 warm, dry days a yearParaparaumu Aws: 108 warm, dry days a yearPalmerston North Aws: 112 warm, dry days a yearDunedin Aerodrome Aws: 113 warm, dry days a yearChristchurch (Christchurch Aero Aws): 125 warm, dry days a yearTara Hills: 125 warm, dry days a yearKaikoura: 130 warm, dry days a yearNelson Aerodrome Aws: 131 warm, dry days a yearTimaru Aerodrome Aws: 137 warm, dry days a yearChristchurchQueenstown
0365 warm, dry days a year▲ mountain stations, far above the land around them18 more stations lie outside this view.

Most warm, dry days a year

  1. Napier Aerodrome Aws167 days
  2. Whangarei Aerodrome164 days
  3. Kerikeri Aero Aws163 days
  4. Gisborne163 days
  5. Whakatane Aws160 days
  6. Hamilton Aws153 days
  7. Timaru Aerodrome Aws137 days
  8. AucklandAuckland Aero Aws131 days
  9. Nelson Aerodrome Aws131 days
  10. Kaikoura130 days
  11. Tara Hills125 days
  12. ChristchurchChristchurch Aero Aws125 days
  13. Port Taharoa118 days
  14. Dunedin Aerodrome Aws113 days
  15. Palmerston North Aws112 days

Warmest and driest in winter

Warm, dry days from June to August, out of 90.

  1. Napier Aerodrome Aws10
  2. Gisborne10
  3. Whangarei Aerodrome8
  4. Kerikeri Aero Aws6
  5. Farewell Spit Aws6

Mildest summers

Mild, still days (16–26 °C, light wind) from December to February, out of 92.

  1. Timaru Aerodrome Aws55
  2. Milford Soundn Aws46
  3. Hokitika Aerodrome45
  4. Kaikoura37
  5. Tara Hills36

Weather by month in New Zealand's cities

Questions

Where is the best climate in New Zealand?

Counting days with a high of 18–33 °C, no more than 1 mm of rain and light wind, the places with the most in 2023–2025 were Napier Aerodrome Aws (167), Whangarei Aerodrome (164) and Kerikeri Aero Aws (163) days a year. The median station had 101.

Where is it warm in New Zealand in winter?

From June to August, the most warm, dry days were at Napier Aerodrome Aws (10 of 90), Gisborne (10 of 90) and Whangarei Aerodrome (8 of 90).

Where are summers mildest in New Zealand?

For mild, still days (a high of 16–26 °C and light wind) from December to February, the best places were Timaru Aerodrome Aws (55 of 92), Milford Soundn Aws (46 of 92) and Hokitika Aerodrome (45 of 92).

Nearby countries

Explore New Zealand on the map Set your own temperature, rain and wind limits.

Counted from daily records at 38 stations in NOAA's Global Surface Summary of the Day, 2023–2025, each with a complete record on at least 80% of days. Mountain stations far above their surroundings are left out of the rankings. A station is often an airport and may not represent the whole area around it.