What to wear in New Zealand: Packing for every season
Plan your packing list with these insights into what New Zealanders wear.
I am most often seen in a Patagonia fleece and some kind of yoga leggings.
If there’s one piece of advice I can give you for packing for your New Zealand trip, it’s this: Wear layers.
Layers are the key to staying warm, cooling off, or fending off the wind, rain, sun or whatever else New Zealand decides to throw at you.
We have a saying in Auckland — if you don’t like the weather, just wait an hour.
New Zealand is famous for having four seasons in a day, so it helps to be prepared.
I’ve put together this rundown of what to wear in New Zealand during different times of the year, so you can get a better idea of what to pack.
I’ve also shared thoughts on New Zealand’s clothing style, so you know what to pack for your New Zealand trip to blend in with the locals.
jump ahead.
4 few very quick tips for packing for New Zealand
Casual, comfortable clothes are the typical attire in New Zealand. Choose practical outfits and don’t worry about looking fancy.
New Zealand weather changes often, so packing layers is key.
Sun protection is essential, so make sure you have a hat, sunglasses, long-sleeved shirt and sunscreen.
You can drink tap water everywhere in New Zealand, so make sure you pack a reusable drink bottle.
What type of clothing do people wear in New Zealand?
Comfy yoga pants and a woollen jumper are essentials
New Zealand men often wear shorts, even in winter
As a general guideline, sporty or outdoorsy clothes will be good for New Zealand.
New Zealand’s dress culture is distinctly no fuss — we’re the country which has brought practical brands like Icebreaker and Allbirds to the world. We’re also a country with farming roots, so New Zealand attire is generally practical, comfortable clothing that’s good for all seasons.
The way New Zealand people dress reflects our overall lifestyle — casual and laid back. With our passion for outdoor pursuits, hiking gear and athleisure is rarely out of place.
We love outdoor gear brands. You’ll see a lot of Kathmandu jackets while in the centre of Auckland city, and Macpac, North Face and Patagonia are generally considered the height of fashion.
Where I come from — a dairy farm on the Coromandel Peninsula — you’re likely to see people wearing iconic clothes like Swandris and gumboots.
We rarely dress up, unless you work in an office or are heading out for a fancy lunch on Ponsonby Road in Auckland.
This is great news for visitors, as you can keep your packing list to a minimum, with lots of practical, multi-functional clothing.
I spent all of March and most of April 2024 road tripping around both the North and South Islands, and the clothing items I wore the most were comfy yoga pants, a cosy fleece, a long-sleeved merino t-shirt, and my Birkenstocks.
I had one pair of jeans and a couple of nice(ish) tops, which came out when I went to dinner in places like Christchurch, Queenstown, and Wellington.
Here are some common clothing items in New Zealand:
‘Stubbies’ are men’s shorts. They’re basically short rugby shorts, and they are beloved by menfolk across both islands. Men wear stubbies in both summer and winter.
Outside of larger cities, you’ll see people heading to the pub in stubbies and gumboots, which are our version of wellington boots.
Jandals (slang for flip flops or thongs) are another popular clothing item that are classed as dressed up when compared to the norm of bare feet.
Black puffer jackets from either Kathmandu or Macpac (two outdoor adventure clothing stores that started in New Zealand) are typical on colder days.
My best advice — pack for comfort. You’re unlikely to wear heels, and other than Auckland and Wellington, you probably won’t need smart dresses or shirts.
One smart casual outfit will be enough for a trip of around two weeks.
Smart casual in New Zealand can mean jeans and a collared shirt or t-shirt for men, and a dress or jeans and a nice top for women.
You can go to restaurants in jeans (or whatever you want, really — very rarely will anyone police you).
This goes for pretty much everywhere, so don’t worry if you want to go out for a fine dining meal in Queenstown and you don’t have formal attire with you.
I regularly walk around central Auckland in yoga pants and Birkenstocks. You can also wear track pants in public and no one will look at you strangely (I promise).
I had a friend who moved from London to Auckland and she couldn’t believe how casual the dress standard is.
Here’s a video my colleagues at Tourism New Zealand made back when I was still working there, poking fun at the different clothing style in New Zealand cities:
What to wear in New Zealand in summer
Summer in New Zealand isn’t usually wildly hot. Temperatures can hit around 30°C (86°F), but as we have a largely coastal temperate climate, cool sea breezes means summer isn’t sweltering.
With this in mind, in summer — usually from December to early April — I find I’m comfortable during the day in shorts and a t-shirt.
However, even in the North Island, summer evenings can be cool. You’ll want at least one warm jumper or jacket, and one pair of jeans/trousers to keep you warm in the evening.
Wear layers that you can easily take off and put on again, like a denim jacket or a large shirt.
Casual sandals like Tevas or Birkenstocks are perfect for travelling around New Zealand. In summer you’ll probably be exploring beach destinations, so it’s handy to be able to kick these off at a moments notice.
If you plan on hiking, though, bring good boots — and make sure they’re clean otherwise biosecurity officers will clean them for you as you come across the border.
Even on hot days, I try to avoid wearing tank tops or just swimwear, as the sun is ferocious. It’s very easy to burn in New Zealand, so cover up from the sun and make sure you wear a hat and sunscreen, especially on long sight seeing days.
A light, long-sleeved linen or cotton shirt is a good idea for keeping the sun at bay.
So is a raincoat — you never know when it’s going to rain in New Zealand.
It’s especially important to have warm and wet weather gear if you plan on hiking to higher altitudes, as our mountains can be cold at the top and have changeable weather, even in summer.
Clothes to pack for New Zealand summer
A couple of t shirts. I avoid tank tops because the sun is strong here and I burn easily, but that’s a personal preference.
One pair of jeans.
A nice top you can wear with your jeans. Even nice restaurants in Auckland are fine with jeans and a nice top.
One pair of denim shorts.
One pair of bike shorts. I love my Lululemon align shorts — they are comfy for hiking in, plus are cute enough to wear around town, or sleep in if you need to.
Long sleeved merino top. Having a good base layer is essential for hiking, and a long-sleeved merino can be just right for cooler evenings in the lower South Island, or up a mountain.
Yoga pants. For women, I absolutely adore my Allbirds merino leggings. I think they are intended for yoga, but they make great hiking pants and they are comfy enough to wear on long drives or flights. Plus they can double as a base layer if you are visiting the South Island in winter.
A light rainjacket. Rain isn’t as common in the North Island in summer, but there’s a good chance you’ll get wet weather in the South. You can also use it as a windproof layer for extra warmth on windy days.
A cosy fleece. You’ll want one jumper that is nice and snuggly, whether that is a good quality wool jumper or a fleece. I have a Patagonia fleece that I wear almost constantly when van lifing around New Zealand and having something soft and reliably warm is a lifesaver when you need some comfort.
Swimwear. I have a long-sleeved rash shirt as well as a one piece swimsuit, so I can stay in the water for longer without worrying about burning.
Underwear — however much you’re comfortable taking. I usually pack around five pairs and wash them in the basin with a bar of Ethique’s solid laundry detergent.
Insect repellant. Summer is the season of sandflies in New Zealand, and these tiny biting insects will drive you crazy if you don’t have repellant. Mosquitoes and sandflies are another reason to pack at least one pair of long sleeved pants/trousers and a long-sleeved top.
What to wear in New Zealand in winter
What I wear hiking the Heaphy Track in winter
Winter in New Zealand technically lasts from June to August, but May and September can be cold months as well.
The North Island tends to be a little warmer than the South Island, but has higher rainfall. The South Island has more dry days, with lower temperatures overall.
My advice for packing for New Zealand in winter is to choose layers.
Base layers with merino are awesome. They are multi-functional, working well to keep you warm on hikes, and you can wear them under your regular clothes for warmth while travelling as well.
If you don’t have any, you can always shop for merino base layers when you arrive in New Zealand. They make a great souvenir as well as a practical clothing item.
You’ll find outdoor stores in most towns in New Zealand — I like Macpac and Mons Royale for merino clothing.
You can also find merino base layers in many second hand shops (op shops) in New Zealand.
A warm fleece is also gold — I have a luscious fluffy one from Patagonia that I bought from an outdoor store in Wellington before catching the car ferry to the South Island. It was a panic purchase, but it became my favourite thing to wear as I travelled around the South Island in April.
You’ll need a waterproof layer, especially if you’re spending time in the North Island.
In the South Island, you will probably want a thicker down jacket or parka to keep you insulated while you’re outside. I use a merino filled ‘down’ jacket from Mons Royale and it keeps me warm in the South Island — Mons is a brand from Wanaka, so they know all about stay warm in cold weather.
If you’re visiting in winter, you’ll need all of the above plus a few extras. In the North Island, winter isn’t too cold so as long as you have layers and a good rain jacket, you won’t need that much more stuff.
In the South Island, you’ll need to be prepared for much colder temperatures.
What to pack for New Zealand in winter
Make sure you pack:
A really good jacket. Puffer jackets are great for insulation. You’ll want something really warm - I love my Mons Royale merino puffer jacket.
Extra layers. Another long sleeved merino will come in handy when you need to layer up against the cold.
At least one more warm jumper.
Trackpants. I have a pair of merino Mons Royale trackpants and they are excellent for overnight hikes, and they still look sleek enough to wear around town. I also have Lululemon align trackpants that I love wearing when I travel.
A beanie.
Gloves.
A scarf.
Thick wool socks. These are great for hiking and also for keeping your feet warm on cold New Zealand evenings - if you’re visiting in winter you might find insulation isn’t one of our strong points. If you need to top up your sock supply, I highly recommend Frank’s merino socks, including the possum fur ones! You can buy them in Queenstown and Glenorchy. They are super soft and warm.
Swimwear. Even in winter there are hot springs!
What to wear hiking in New Zealand
My hiking outfit usually looks like Lululemon leggings, a merino base layer, an Icebreaker jumper, a beanie if it’s cold, and good boots.
Good hiking shoes/boots are essential if you plan on doing a lot of walking in New Zealand.
For shorter walks, like the trail around Lake Matheson in the South Island, or even the Hooker Valley Walk in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, you can get away with sneakers or strap on sandals.
These well-trodden paths are maintained really well, so you don’t need specific footwear.
However, for anything that goes into rougher terrain, or overnight walks, you should have decent boots.
It’s also important to have a good waterproof layer, and a warm layer for New Zealand walks.
Even in summer it can get cool later in the evening or at higher altitudes. On lots of hikes the weather can change quickly, so you might find yourself caught in wind or rain.
For hikes like the Tongariro Crossing, which reaches higher altitudes, it can be cold and changeable all year round.
If you get to New Zealand and realise you don’t have enough hiking clothes, pop into second-hand shops. Especially around Queenstown and Wanaka, you should find some good second hand merino tops or other outdoor clothing.
If you don’t mind buying something new, you can also shop at Kathmandu or Macpac, both local outdoor clothing stores that aren’t too expensive.
A good day bag is great if you plan on doing lots of walking — you can stuff it full of snacks, as well as warmer layers, sunblock, your camera, and so on.
Other gear to pack for New Zealand
An early autumn hike, featuring my Mons Royale puffer jacket and Grisport hiking boots
Footwear
New Zealanders are notorious for going around barefoot, but even we need to wear shoes occasionally. National favourites are gumboots - just kidding. You won’t need these unless you visit a farm.
You need to pack some jandals. They are a quintessential wardrobe item in New Zealand. You might call them flip flops or thongs, we call them jandals and we wear them all year round, sometimes with socks. You are not obliged to do the same. They are very necessary for the beach, although I have to confess - in the past two years I have betrayed my culture and wear Birkenstocks instead.
Casual shoes for around town. Think Converse or Vejas, just your standard white shoe. You’ll be able to wear these into bars and restaurants no problem.
Decent hiking boots. I can’t stress this enough if you plan on going hiking. I wore sneakers the first time I did the Abel Tasman Coast Track and lost two toenails. After investing in good boots, my feet have been very happy and hiking over rough terrain has been easier. I have a pair of Grisport boots, but any good brand will do.
Gear
Aside from a few small gear items that you can pack easily, you don’t need to bring a huge amount of gear to New Zealand.
If you plan on doing overnight hikes, you can buy or rent gear in adventure centres like Queenstown or Christchurch before you go.
Essentially, it’s best to come prepared for day walks, and then get what you need for overnight hikes when you’re already in New Zealand.
A small backpack. You’ll need a day pack if you plan on doing a lot of walks. It doesn’t need to be fancy, just big enough to fit water, snacks, extra layers of clothing, and a small first aid kit.
A headlamp. Handy for missions later in the day, or overnight hikes.
A reusable drink bottle. You can drink tap water anywhere in New Zealand, so you don’t need to buy bottled water. Bring a decent reusable bottle and save on the plastic.
A pocket knife. I adore my Opinel knife. It’s tiny and so sharp - it’s great for slicing up fruit or snacks on walks.
Other handy things
If you plan on travelling in a campervan, I highly recommend squishy packing cubes. These make fitting your things into tight spaces a lot easier.
A travel or beach towel. I use a Turkish cotton towel instead of a microfibre towel, as I like it better for the beach and love the soft cotton. It still dries really fast, and as an added bonus the pattern is cute. I have friends who swear by Tesalate towels though, so they can also be worth checking out.
Zinc sunscreen. You will need a lot of sun protection in New Zealand - we don’t have a lot of ozone, but we do have wildly high rates of skin cancer. Lather up with an ocean friendly zinc sunscreen - I love My Sunshine.
A hat for the same reason! Bucket hats and caps are very on trend in New Zealand.
Sunglasses, also to shield you from our hot hot sun.
Insect repellent. We are plagued by mosquitoes and sandflies, so come prepared.
An adaptor. New Zealand uses Type 1 plugs, so make sure you have something to adapt all your tech.
A powerbank. If you’re going on longer hikes or just into remote areas, I recommend a powerbank. Mine saved me many times over when I was living in my van and camping in random places.
Girl things
On the makeup front, I keep it pretty minimalist while travelling, but one thing I LOVE is Aleph makeup. The foundation doubles as a concealer and it’s very compact. It lasts me a while and it’s so much easier to carry around than a bottle.
I also use a menstrual cup, which is great for travelling. I use mine while hiking and it’s a much better solution than tampons — if you’re’ going for more than one day, you have to carry used ones out with you.
Plus, with a cup you only have to worry about it morning and evening, and most huts have sinks with taps where you can wash your hands.
What you don't need to pack for New Zealand
Obviously this depends on whether you have favourite items you want to bring with you, but you can leave a lot of toiletries behind.
You can buy most familiar brands at any supermarket in New Zealand, and you can get higher end things from Mecca, Farmers, or pharmacies.
I typically buy body wash, shampoo and conditioner in places when I arrive to save space. Alternatively, I pack solid shampoo bars — but I admit I am low maintenance on this front.
You can also buy basic medications like thrush cream, antihistamines, and basic first aid at pharmacies. Painkillers, like paracetamol and ibuprofen, are available in supermarkets.
I always pack a small supply, but you don’t need to go too overboard — you will be able to find a pharmacy in most town centres.
Thanks for reading this far! I hope this came in handy for planning your New Zealand travels.
Here’s a pic from a walk on the West Coast of the South Island — make sure you remember your swimwear so you can jump into rivers like this one.
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