Lifestyle
New Zealand — Living: Climate
New Zealand averages 10.5°C over the year and about 1592 mm of precipitation (national averages for 1991-2020, World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal, CRU TS 4.07 data), with February the warmest month and July the coolest.
Why this matters
Understanding New Zealand's climate is important for relocating individuals to plan their living arrangements, activities, and lifestyle.
Key facts
- Average annual temperature: 10.5°C (national average, 1991-2020)
- Warmest month: February, 15.6°C on average
- Coolest month: July, 5.3°C on average
- Average annual precipitation: 1592 mm (1991-2020)
- Wettest month: June, 151 mm on average
- Driest month: February, 102 mm on average
Steps
- Understanding regional climate differences — Familiarize yourself with the specific climate conditions in the region you plan to live in, as some areas are more prone to extreme weather events or have distinct microclimates.
Costs
- Insulating a home to mitigate extreme temperatures: varies depending on the type and quality of insulation
Timelines
- Adjusting to the climate: 2-6 months to acclimate to the local climate conditions
Required documents
- No specific documents are required for understanding and preparing for New Zealand's climate.
Common mistakes
- Assuming the climate is uniform throughout New Zealand, when in fact it can vary significantly depending on the region.
Monthly averages, 1991-2020 (national)
January: 15.3°C, 114 mm February: 15.6°C, 102 mm March: 13.8°C, 122 mm April: 11.1°C, 127 mm May: 8.5°C, 143 mm June: 6.0°C, 151 mm July: 5.3°C, 139 mm August: 6.3°C, 146 mm September: 8.2°C, 146 mm October: 10.0°C, 146 mm November: 11.7°C, 120 mm December: 14.0°C, 135 mm
What these figures do not cover
These are country-wide averages. Climate varies a lot between regions, coasts, mountains and cities, and individual years differ from the long-term average. Heat waves, humidity, air quality and seasonal hazards are not covered here.