New Zealand in January - Things to Do & Reasons to Visit

Is it your first time in New Zealand and not sure what to do? Check out Best Bits – Things to Do as you sort out the best month to visit New Zealand.

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.

January is the month of music, art and events. It’s summer in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Te Rewa Rewa bridge framing Mt Taranaki

WHAT IS HAPPENING IN NEW ZEALAND IN JANUARY?

NZ in January is ideal for visitors looking for a summer holiday by the beach or lake. There are numerous summer garden and entertainment festivals and concerts in tourist hot spots. Events and festivals are happening from the top to the bottom of New Zealand.

Festival of Lights New Plymouth
Rhythm and Vines Gisborne
Rhythm and Alps Wanaka
Northern Bass (Mangawhai, an hour north of Auckland city) Northern Bass is three days and nights of New Year celebrations
One Love is New Zealand’s biggest reggae music festival (Tauranga)

Pukekura Park Festival of Lights installation, Taranaki, New Zealand

New Plymouth Festival of Light sculpture, Taranaki

@Maunga Hikurangi

Lake Wanaka #thatwanakatree, South Island, New Zealand

Kawarau historic suspension bridge, AJ Hackett Bungy Jump location, Wanaka, South Island, New Zealand

Kawarau historic suspension bridge, Wanaka

@TeWhaiBayWines

@One Love festival

Waiotahi Beach carved Maori poles, Opotiki, Bay of Plenty

WHAT IS THE BEST REASON TO VISIT NEW ZEALAND IN JANUARY?

The best reason to visit New Zealand in January is for Australians with school aged children (school summer break is January), for other visitors the packed summer festival season, farmers markets in full swing and New Zealand is open to meet and greet all visitors.

TIP: January New Zealand is peak season forward bookings for accommodation and tours is strongly encouraged.

Onetahuti Beach at Abel Tasman National Park

Lake Gunn, South Island, New Zealand

WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE IN NEW ZEALAND IN JANUARY?

North Island NZ January monthly average temperature:

Average low +12°c

Average high +25°c

South Island NZ January monthly average temperature:

Average low +10°c

Average high +25°c

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.

NEW ZEALAND CLIMATE, WEATHER AND SEASONS ADDS A RICHNESS TO YOUR HOLIDAY

Four seasons, four opportunities to experience what New Zealand has to offer visitors. The climate, the daily weather forecast and the distinct seasons add to the rich palate of attractions from spring festivals to winter ski resort activities.

Find out more

Sunrise at Church of the Good Shepherd, Lake Tekapo, South Island, New Zealand

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

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