What a great reason to visit New Zealand during Christmas. Experience a Christmas at the beach in the summer. The party festival season kicks off into high gear after the 26th with many New Year beach parties and major public events. December, at the beginning of the month, is quiet with Australian and New Zealand students in class. By the last week or so of December there is a dramatic change in visitor numbers so plan accordingly.
Is it your first time in New Zealand and not sure what to do? Check out nz best things to do and let’s sort out which is the best month to visit to tick off your bucket list holiday activities.
What is happening in New Zealand in December?
Visit New Zealand in December and plan for the beginning of the month. Toward the end, you can expect crowded campsites, trails, and plenty of tour buses. Shops are decorated for Christmas with Santa garbed in a red coat and jandels ready for the beach party. For bargain hunters the country collectively on Boxing Day, December 26th discounts heavily excess Christmas goodies.
Visitors will need to book tours and accommodation several months in advance from the 20th December onwards until mid-February with the holiday season crowds dominated by locals and Australians intent on letting their hair down.
North Island NZ, December monthly average temperature:
- Average low 11°c
- Average high 23°c
South Island NZ December monthly average temperature:
- Average low 7°c
- Average high 22°c
Aotearoa New Zealand’s Christmas Tree is not the evergreen rather the native red-flowered pohutukawa tree.
Check out New Zealand average temperatures for the month you are planning to visit either the North or South Island. Or anywhere in between. The most reliable weather forecast service is NZ Met Service.
Weather in New Zealand is four seasons in one day. Aotearoa New Zealand is several skinny narrow islands isolated in the southwest Pacific Ocean. Glorious day throughout the year is a promise together with the option of rain throughout the year.
Seasons are the opposite to Europe, United Kingdom, North America (northern hemisphere) creating a great winter escape for our neighbours in the Far East and beyond. Peak season is summer, December to February.
Travel pack information
- NEW ZEALAND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
- Monthly temperature data is sourced from Monthly | NIWA. For visitors fascinated by climate change data NIWA provides a rich publicly available resource to browse
- Source The uniqueness of New Zealand plants an excellent school resource handy for visitors to help understand NZ’s unique biodiversity
