Its a really helpful and cheap thing to ensure your online activities arent restricted. The midday summer solar radiation index (UVI) is often very high in most places and can be extreme in northern New Zealand and in mountainous areas. Wairarapa is the driest place in New Zealand, with some parts bordering on drought conditions. As the main centre in the region, it has many major facilities, such as a covered stadium that attracts the likes of Elton John and Ed Sheeran. Auckland has amazing weather. Tauranga 9. Nestled in a valley between the Southern Alps, Wanaka on the South Island of New Zealand offers picturesque views and lots of outdoor activities! *Data entry of historical New Zealand climate records, from paper into electronic format, is an on-going activity. Waiheke Island is a beautiful location located in the Hauraki Gulf, just a short ferry ride from Auckland. The city also has a thriving food and wine scene, with many boutique wineries and restaurants to enjoy. Located seemingly at the bottom of the world, next to Australia, New Zealands seasons are opposite to most. The population of 400,000 supports career opportunities in most industries. Photos / Warren Buckland. Summer temperatures soar into the low 30s (high 80s), while winter temperatures often dip below freezing. Christchurch has less rainfall than the rest of New Zealands other major cities. The country of New Zealand is actually made up of an estimated 600 islands in the south-western Pacific Ocean. Bush walks and hiking are great options now as, in NewZealand is the best time to visit if. Although its worth noting that snow rarely falls in the town itself. In addition, the city is located in a very remote part of the country, and it can be difficult to find work. Like many other regions of New Zealand, its best to be prepared for four seasons in one day. Whangarei 5. In terms of employment, because Queenstown is a major tourist destination, most of the jobs here are in the tourism sector (think hotel and restaurant type jobs) and the pay is typically not much higher than minimum wage. Cost of living for a family in Hamilton is $4,000 per month, roughly based on the cost of the average family home ($500-700 per week) or an executive home ($700-800 per week), groceries ($250-350), and eating out once in a while (meals costing $25-35 per meal). The National Climate Database, CliFlo, with all data from mainland New Zealand stations included. Summer is boiling hot, which drives most people to Mission Beach to try and cool off. Hamilton is also close to many popular destinations such as the Coromandel and Mount Maunganui for beautiful beaches, Rotorua, New Zealands cultural capital, and Taupo, a popular lakeside holiday spot. , and there is often spring skiing available at some ski fields too. Carrier said there was a chance of rain next week, but that it would be unlikely to alleviate the problem. Just be sure to have a raincoat on hand as moderate rainfall is experienced all year round. Whether youre looking for outdoor adventure, NewZealands busy high season'is summer, while the quieter shoulder seasons are spring and autumn. Lives in Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand Author has 2.3K answers and 824.3K answer views 2 y It depends on what you mean by best. New Zealand's scenic highlights and natural wonders Mount Maunganui is a laid-back suburb of Tauranga, one of New Zealands larger cities (albeit still small), situated on the eastern coast of the North Island. There are also popular tourist spots like the Skytower, Mount Eden, surfing in Paihia, and drinking wine in Waiheke, nearby. You can check NewZealand weather conditions on the. Sunshine hours are relatively high in areas that are sheltered from the west and most of New Zealand would have at least 2000 hours annually. Find more transport options > Essential travel information Weather and climate Average summer highs of 22.8 C (73 F) make it one of the warmest places in New Zealand and as Rotorua is located in the middle of the North Island, away from the coast and sheltered by high country, its also one of the least windy places in the country. need to carry chains and take extra care on the roads. Dunedin is also the gateway to iconic New Zealand destinations the ski fields and wineries of Central Otago, the mountains of Aoraki Mt Cook and the rugged Catlins coast are all no more than a few hours drive away. One thing to keep in mind is that public transportation isnt as readily available in Hawkes Bay as it is in other parts of New Zealand, so you may need to factor in the cost of a car when budgeting. It pays to be prepared for what you might encounter on your travels. Waiheke Island 12. I lived in New Zealand for a year, living in Auckland. If you are interested in knowing what the cloudiest place is in New Zealand, that would be the southernmost parts of the South Island so the area around Invercargill. It comes as Niwa's freshly-released 2020 summary showed New Zealand just saw its seventh warmest year on record - continuing a dire climate change trend that's put six of our last eight years among the hottest ever recorded. As it gets drier, theyre going to have to consider more supplementary feed, or drying cows off earlier.. Ultimately, making the choice of where to move is going to be hard. Gisborne 3. So catch aferry from Wellington to Pictonand then drive or fly to, for example, Nelson and then drive. All rights reserved. The top of the North Island is also deemed the winterless north, and you can look forward to plenty of beach-worthy days even in the heart of winter. As a result, it attracts a large number of overseas backpackers on a Working Holiday Visa who come to town for a year or two to work and socialise. If you are looking for dry places on theNorth Island, I can tell you that there arent many although some parts of the North Island can experience extreme droughts from time to time. Alexis_Hagedorn. You can expect to spend around $1,800 NZD on rent and $1,500 NZD on general expenses. The locals are friendly and welcoming, and there is a strong sense of community here. January, March, andSeptemberbring the least amount of rain to Christchurch. Western Plateau Central Lowlands . It depends picking a country to live in is hard. This place is where the giant monolith Uluru, or Ayers Rock, can be found and also provides ninety-five percent of the world's opal supply. What are the warmest months in New Zealand? While traffic isnt insane like Auckland traffic, it does build up in the city when crossing the bridges. Like the rest of New Zealand, youll always want to plan for four seasons in one day. However, you should keep in mind that rent prices are comparatively high, and affordable apartments can be tricky to find. For places in Mackenzie Country where Lake Tekapo,Lake Pukaki, and Mount Cookare located the best time to visit would be sometime during winter or autumn because summer and spring are the wettest seasons. Find out what's best for you with our practical advice on travel and transport in New Zealand. The country offers a great lifestyle, and there are plenty of opportunities for work and study. Our average rainfall is high and spread evenly throughout the year. The city has a population of around 50,000 people, and the cost of living is relatively affordable. Hamilton 10. Property in Wellington can be very expensive, both to rent and to own, in part due to the high cost of insurance. Coastal Wairarapa is the only place in New Zealand currently labelled extremely dry. Its location in the northern portion of the North Island ensures the temperatures are mild to hot all year, and rainfall is spread right across all 12 months. Everything Ive written here is based on a combination of experience living and traveling in New Zealand, and research using scientific and non-scientific data and charts. Gisborne has the best weather in New Zealand. Again this is good news for people who want to visit the beaches of Abel Tasman National Park or Golden Bay. Visitor numbers are high and summer holidays mean more Kiwis are travelling around NewZealand too, making the most of the sunshine and Christmas break. You can get to the West Coast by road by following three highways: If you want to visit the West Coast in winter, you may want to drive, for example, from Picton to Greymouth via State Highway 6 instead of from Christchurch. The landscape is so arid, that NASA 's astrobiologists travel to the Atacama Desert hoping it will lead them to clues about life on other planets. The driest part of the North Island is the bottom half starting on a line south of Mount Taranaki and Tongariro National Park down to Wellington, excluding parts where there are mountain ranges. The North Island of New Zealand also has a couple of sunny areas: So good places to visit for sun on the North Island would be Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula, Tauranga, Rotorua, Taupo, Whakatane, Opotiki, Gisborne, Napier, and Hastings. Worst impacted is coastal Wairarapa, and it may be dire straits for the farming community over summer, Castlepoint Station manager Jacques Reinhardt said. Video / Benjamin Plummer. Continuing for miles, this beach is one of New Zealands best. New Zealand map National Parks North Island Auckland Bay of Plenty The Coromandel Hawke's Bay Manawatu Northland & Bay of Islands Rotorua Ruapehu Tairwhiti Gisborne Taranaki Taup Waikato Wairarapa Wellington Whanganui South Island Central Otago Christchurch - Canterbury Clutha Dunedin Fiordland Marlborough Nelson Tasman Queenstown Southland Finding work in New Zealand can be difficult, especially if youre not a citizen or resident. Two particularly lovely spots are Whale Bay and Matapouri Bay. The West Coast on the South Island of New Zealand receives the most rain in the entire country. Alexandra closely competes with Gisborne for the warmest place in New Zealand, yet is located in a very different region of the country From November through February, Alexandra temperatures soar into the mid 20s C (high 70s F) and is deemed the hottest town in the country from November through February. Kaitaia and Whangarei top the list with an. Cyclone Gabrielle has caused widespread damage to the North Island and wild winds and rain lash the region. Gisborne is a city located on the east coast of New Zealands North Island. Average temperatures increase as you travel north. Learn languages in no time with iTalki! Whakatane in the North Island's Bay of Plenty district, is the sunniest place in New . But the hardest thing is deciding to move abroad at all! Rainfall tends to be relatively low in February,March, July, andAugust, so during some parts of summer, autumn, and winter. Abel Tasman is all about the golden beaches, turquoise seas, and forested hiking trails. Whatever time of year you are visiting, pack a raincoat as you never know when you might get showers. Mean annual temperatures range from 10C in the south to 16C in the north of New Zealand. While typically a town doesnt want to be known for its foul smell, theres always an exception to the rule, and in this case, its Rotorua. Look no further than these nine warmest places in New Zealand. The cost of living can be expensive, but it really depends on your lifestyle and where youre located. A brief description of each climate zone illustrating the average rainfall and temperature can be reached by clicking on the links below: The data are monthly averages for the period 19712000, for locations with at least 5 years of complete data. Its also one of the most affordable cities in New Zealand. Therefore, it is advisable to earn at least $500 per week to have a good standard of living in Queenstown. Most snow in NewZealand falls in the mountainous areas, like the Central Plateau in the North Island, and the Southern Alps in the South Island. Wellington 3. Based on the average yearly high of 19.7 C (67.6 F), Whangarei is the warmest place in New Zealand. Most areas of New Zealand have between 600 and 1600 mm of rainfall, spread throughout the year with a dry period during the summer. Even though Auckland is a busy city, the locals are still incredibly friendly. 2023 Nina Out and About - WordPress Theme by Kadence WP - Privacy Policy, 13 Best Places to Live in New Zealand At a Glance, Wrap Up: Best Places to Live in New Zealand, FAQs about the Best Places to Live in New Zealand. This also means New Zealand celebrates Christmas in the middle of summer and has unique culture and traditions compared to much of the rest of the world. ForCentral Otagowhere Alexandra is located, much of the rain tends to fall in autumn with also some in summer. One thing to keep in mind is that public transportation isnt as readily available in Devonport as it is in other parts of Auckland, so you may need to factor in the cost of a car when budgeting. Devonport is a beautiful, historic seaside town located on Aucklands North Shore. For an individual, your costs would be about half of this. Inspired by the Namib Desert beetle (inset), this forest of carbon nanotubes harvests moisture. The West Coast on the South Island of New Zealand receives the most rain in the entire country. Top that with 2400 hours of sunshine a year, warm summers, and mild winters, and its no wonder many visitors arrive in Nelson and decide to stay forever. Summerwould be the best time to visit this region withFebruarybeing the best month to get the least amount of rain. #Climate data were sourced from the National Climate Database, CliFlo, with all data from mainland New Zealand stations included. Reapply every two hours and after swimming. Dunedin is a great fit for those looking for work-life balance and has a very high quality of life (as rated by local residents). Actual data recorded at Reefton can be accessed for use in statistical analyses (see CliFlo). New Zealand's climate is complex and varies from warm subtropical in the far north to cool temperate climates in the far south, with severe alpine conditions in the mountainous areas. Devonport 11. But dont worry, theres also plenty to do in Queenstown on a budget. Before moving to Queenstown consider joining the local Facebook groups like Queenstown Houses to Rent, here you can find apartments for rent, as well as events in the area to meet new people. Make the most of this great location by being able to have weekends skiing in the winter or beach days in the summer. The West Coast of the South Island is the wettest area of New Zealand, whereas the area to the east of the mountains, just over 100 km away, is the driest. Mori culture is an integral part of life in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Aircraft from the two World Wars took to the skies over south Auckland along with more recent military and training planes as the New Zealand Warbirds Association lived up to their mission to Keep em flying. Photos / Alex Burton. Badass female expat with a passion for making new countries my home. If youre looking to teach English abroad, Premier TEFL has the best online course to get you great work! Or, if you prefer to stay out of the water, Gisbornes temperate oceanic climate is ideal for chardonnay, and the region boasts a handful of charming boutique wineries. The nights are cold but not freezing, and the days are warm but not hot. What is the wettest place in New Zealand? Apartments are generally preferable to houses, and it is worth paying a bit extra for a newer place because many Wellington houses, particularly older ones have little/no insulation which is unpleasant in the cold winters. Temperatures in NewZealand are generally mild, but the weather can vary a lot around the country and might change quickly as we are a relatively narrow island nation. Type of Work: Engineering and manufacturing. Hottest, coldest, wettest, driest, sunniest, windiestfind out here which places hold the record for climate extremes in New Zealand. Auckland has the most stable climate with the least seasonal variation but it's often claimed the humidity is too high. These cities have low crime rates and are generally very safe places to live. Most snow in New Zealand falls in the mountain areas. You can find work abroad via local job boards or temp agencies. Pronounced fang-a-ray, Whangarei is New Zealands northernmost city and is both pleasantly warm and lush. Dreaming of endless stretches of golden sand beaches, crystal clear waters, and ideal sunbathing weather? Drenched in all-year sun with warm winters and pleasant summers, youll land yourself right in the middle of paradise. What is the best place to live in New Zealand for retirees? The biggest impact were noticing right now is the ability to shift store lambs. Find out more about New Zealand's national parks. 100%YES! If you want to experience the true Kiwi lifestyle, then we would recommend Rotorua, Hawkes Bay, or Queenstown. Auckland is the largest city in New Zealand with a population of over 1.4 million people. Alexandra 3. New Zealand is not known for its low living costs, as all products must be imported by sea or air. NewZealand too, making the most of the sunshine and Christmas break. It is hard to imagine that. In addition to a great lifestyle, there are many work opportunities here. Photos / Hayden Woodward, Samoa Rugby League supporters took to the streets to support their team playing Australia in the World Cup final played in Manchester 19 November 2022, The New Zealand rugby Black Ferns celebrate their world cup triumph with fans in downtown Auckland. Are you looking for a community of like-minded adventurers to share your experiences with? However, the cost of living in the Bay of Plenty is quite high, and it can be difficult to find work. If youre planning on driving in areas of NewZealand that are prone to snow, youll need to carry chains and take extra care on the roads. Some people might prefer a big city with all the excitement and culture that comes with it. On the other hand, with less than six rainy days per month in January and February, youre even more likely to experience plentiful hot and dry days. Youll rarely be lacking entertainment in Wellington as there are plenty ofthings to doand great options forweekend trips in the Wellington Region. Living in New Zealand can be expensive, especially if you live in a city like Auckland or Wellington. Nelson is quintessential New Zealand beauty. Theres always something to do and see between the many festivals, markets, and other events. Devastation from the February 2011 earthquake is a stark reminder of the citys past, whereas creative new builds showcase an enthusiastic and bright future. The country comprises two main islandsthe North and the South Island . The Southern Alps run down the length of the South Island and provide excellent skiing and snowboarding opportunities. Farmers are really watching that long-term outlook closely., Wairarapa Times-Age 2023 | Website by Web Publisher PRO. The days are still quite warm early in the season (that means beach swims through March and well into April in some parts of the country) with cooler evenings, and there is beautiful scenery as the autumn colours spread through the countryside. Please confirm all details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip. Conversely, cheaper options are available with stunning rooms available for under $300 per week. Further inland in Wairarapa, the soil is labelled as very dry, and dry. Cropp River in New Zealand may only be 9 kilometers in length, but it gets so huge precipitation annually. 1. He said westerly wind flow predicted for December and January would result in further dry conditions, but that there would be a northeasterly turn from the middle of January which would likely mean some good news in terms of getting rainfall. Cyclone Gabrielle has caused devastating damage to regions around the North Island. To find cheap flights, I recommendSkyscanner. So lets have a look at where you can go and when you should go there when planning a trip to New Zealand to maximize your chances of getting lots of sun with a minimal amount of rain. Ophir Ophir, in the south of New Zealand, is a tiny town which held the record for the country's lowest temperature. Note that the same area southeast of Blenheim that receives the least amount of rain, is also one of the areas that has the most hours of sunshine during the year. February tends to be the hottest and driest month of the year, with an average high of 22.6 C (72.7 F) and only 5.8 average rainy days. Queenstown and Wanaka in the South Island and the Central Plateau in the North Island are the most popular spots for skiing and snowboarding. Finally, Gisborne has a very hot climate and it can be quite uncomfortable to live there during the summer months. If the dry spell continues for another month, it will be a big concern. There are a few reasons why Wanganui is not a great place to live. One pro of living in Auckland is that you can save money on your commute by taking the public transportation system. The windy city doesnt have the best weather, but it makes up for it with spectacular scenery. Locals like to joke that you can experience four seasons in one day! Mount Maunganui 7. The region is known for its sunny climate, award-winning wines, and beautiful coastline. Cool sea breezes can blow in and drop temperatures, and storms arrive with little warning. (Read more). My favourite way to work is remotely, so I always look for jobs on FlexJobs.com when I live abroad. The mean annual rainfall in . Video / NZ Herald, Monster Trucks Extremes Auckland show: Crowds pack out Auckland show of maligned NZ tour. The region has a population of around 150,000 people, and the cost of living is relatively affordable. You will need to have a job offer from a New Zealand employer, and you will need to meet the immigration requirements. In addition, the city has a very high crime rate, and its not a particularly safe place to live. Even in the middle of winter, its not uncommon for Auckland to be one of the warmest places in New Zealand and enjoy temperatures above 15 C (60 F). NewZealand is lush and green for a reason! The driest part of the North Island is the bottom half starting on a line south of Mount Taranaki and Tongariro National Park down toWellington, excluding parts where there are mountain ranges. Similar scales have been used for each graph to allow comparison between locations. One thing to keep in mind is that public transportation isnt as readily available in Rotorua as it is in other parts of New Zealand, so you may need to factor in the cost of a car when budgeting. There, visitors can see waterfalls, magnificent views along the fiord and some marine wildlife. It very rarely snows in the coastal areas of the North Island, although they experience some heavy overnight frosts in winter. However, the city is located in a very remote part of the country, and it can be difficult to find work. A single room can easily cost $300 NZD a week or more. These cities offer a variety of schools and family-friendly activities. If you make a purchase using one of these Amazon links, I may receive compensation at no extra cost to you.