New Zealand weather in December
December is the first month of New Zealand summer, and is a busy time of holidays, festivals, and celebration.
For most New Zealanders, December is a whirlwind.
We take a long summer holiday, so many people finish work a week before Christmas. Schools are out for summer, and everyone is giddy with the arrival of warm weather and the number of Christmas and end of year celebrations.
December is usually one of the warmest and brightest months of the year in New Zealand, but it’s also one of the busiest. Here’s what you should know about visiting.
Is December a good time to visit New Zealand?
December is a fantastic time to visit New Zealand. It marks the beginning of the summer season in the Southern Hemisphere, and the country comes alive with warm weather, longer daylight hours, and people enjoying outdoor activities.
However, December is when most of the country clocks off for a long summer holiday — so campgrounds and other accommodation around the country is usually jam-packed by the end of the year.
You’ll need to book more activities and accommodation in advance during December, and the cost of almost everything is higher.
New Zealand weather in December
New Zealand weather in December ushers in the early summer season, offering warm and sunny conditions. But always with the chance of rain, of course.
December offers plenty of sunshine, with long daylight hours. On the longest day, December 21, the sun rises just before 6am and sets at 8.40pm in Auckland. In Queenstown, the sun doesn’t set until 9.30pm.
Longer days mean ample opportunities for outdoor adventures, beach outings, and exploring New Zealand's natural wonders. There’s nothing better than long December evenings enjoying a barbecue — a New Zealand speciality — or lazy campground nights basking in the last of the sun’s glow.
December is generally a dry month, but occasional rain showers are still possible. It’s also usually cooler in December than in the late summer months of February and March.
What temperatures can you expect in New Zealand in December?
Here are some of the average high/low temperatures across the North and South Islands in December:
Auckland: 22° / 15° Celcius, or 71° / 59° Fahrenheit
Wellington: 19° / 13° Celcius or 66° / 55° Fahrenheit
Christchurch: 21° / 11° Celcius or 69° / 51° Fahrenheit
Queenstown: 20° / 8° Celcius or 68° / 46° Fahrenheit
December brings comfortably warm temperatures across most of the country.
In the North Island, daytime temperatures often range from 20°C to 30°C (68°F to 86°F).
In the South Island, daytime temperatures typically range from 18°C to 25°C (64°F to 77°F).
December is warm enough for long lunches in the sunshine (a favourite activity in the run up to Christmas) but the evenings are usually cool enough to need a jumper or light jacket.
Travel tips for visiting New Zealand in December
Keep an eye out for the vibrant red blossoms of the pōhutukawa tree, known as the New Zealand Christmas tree as the flowers reach their peak in mid-late December. Pōhutukawa trees are found in the upper half of the North Island, along the coast — their hefty, gnarled trunks are easily spotted in the Coromandel and Northland.
December is also when lavender farms bloom in places like Wanaka.
There are lots of events in late December and over the New Years Eve period. It’s a great time for festivals and celebrations. For New Zealanders, New Years is the time to celebrate with friends, while Christmas is more family oriented.
There are two public holidays over Christmas — 25 and 26 December. On these days, many supermarkets and other businesses will be shut, so make sure you stock up on supplies before hand. Even for shops that are open on these days, you usually can’t buy alcohol, so if you want to toast your Christmas make sure you buy drinks the week before.
What to wear in New Zealand in December
Even though December is officially summer, evenings and nights can still be cool. It’s a good idea to have a light jacket or something you can throw on to keep you warm when the sun goes down.
Here are some essentials to pack in December:
Sunscreen — it’s important to protect yourself from the strong New Zealand sun.
Light shorts and shirts — during the day, you’ll probably be warm enough to be in shorts and a t-shirt in most places.
Insect repellant — this is especially important if you’re heading to the South Island, where sandflies and mosquitoes are abundant in summer.
Where to go in New Zealand in December
Tutukaka Coast
Once you head north of Auckland, you’ll be on your way to discovering some of the best beaches in New Zealand.
Some of my personal favourites are on the Tutukaka Coast near Whangarei.
Matapouri Bay is incredible, as is Whale Bay and Woolley’s Bay (where you’ll find one of my all time favourite freedom camping spots).
There are some beautiful walks around the Tutukaka Coast, and also some lovely mellow surfing spots.
Gisborne and the East Cape
December is an awesome time to road trip around the remote East Coast of the North Island. East Cape is the first place in New Zealand to see the sunrise, so it’s a top destination for New Year’s Eve.
I went one year and camped close to the Cape, then rose before dawn to trek out to the lighthouse and watch the sunrise, the first in the world to welcome in the new year.
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