New Zealand Travel Blog

Downside Up New Zealand Blog

Welcome to our New Zealand Travel Blog DownsideUP

This blog is dedicated to inform and inspire you on all things to do with New Zealand..

Actually we write posts on anything that’s of interest in the South Pacific (our home) DownsideUP was started in 2008, to help people just like you, with planning the perfect NZ Self Driving experience.  

Day out clearing up rubbish on Rangitoto Island
Suzie
By
Suzie Thorp
On September 28th, the dedicated team from First Light Travel embarked on a rewarding adventure to Rangitoto Island, partnering with Sustainable Coastlines for a crucial beach clean-up initiative.
Suzie
By
Suzie Thorp

Eco Conference
Suzie
By
Suzie Thorp
Danielle Mueth our Sustainability Manager attended Ecotourism Australia’s inaugural 2024 Global Sustainable Tourism Summit that was held in Meeanjin/Brisbane, in June 2024. 
Suzie
By
Suzie Thorp

Del Gorton at the ground breaking at Tewa Banks Community Housing
Suzie
By
Suzie Thorp
First Light Travel is proud to be the major sponsor of the newly created Arrowtown Community Tree Nursery. The aim is to grow seedlings that will adapt easily to the local landscape - providing revegetation to the hills around Arrowtown. This land had fallen prey to wilding pines - which grassroots local community organisation the Arrowtown Choppers has made its mission to restore to native forest.
Suzie
By
Suzie Thorp

First Light Travel sustainability manager
Brent Narbey
By
Brent Narbey
First Light Travel acknowledges our responsibility to undertake a journey toward reducing our environmental footprint. We are dedicated to making meaningful changes through various initiatives. In addition to our carbon offset program, we have appointed Danielle Mueth as our Sustainability Manager. Danielle brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in sustainability practices and will be crucial in driving our sustainability initiatives forward. 
Brent Narbey
By
Brent Narbey

Kayaking in Coromandel
David Mckenzie
By
David Mckenzie

New Zealand weather in September

New Zealand weather in September, in general, marks a transition away from wintry conditions at the beginning of the month towards more mild, springlike weather by the end of the month. This depends a lot, however, on where exactly you intend to visit.

David Mckenzie
By
David Mckenzie

Castle hill Hiking
David Mckenzie
By
David Mckenzie

New Zealand weather in October

New Zealand weather in October is generally mild, with spring blooming and rainfall decreasing in many areas. Day Lengths are getting longer, too, so there’s also plenty of sunshine to be enjoyed!

David Mckenzie
By
David Mckenzie

Mt Potts Station Lord of the Rings
David Mckenzie
By
David Mckenzie

New Zealand weather in November

New Zealand weather in November means spring time, and you can expect plenty of sunny days, warm temperatures, and only a little bit of rain. Days are getting longer, too, so you can often enjoy long, balmy evenings.

David Mckenzie
By
David Mckenzie

Catlins Otago
David Mckenzie
By
David Mckenzie

New Zealand weather in May

New Zealand in May sees temperatures dropping and days shortening around the country. However, it is not yet wintry, and many parts of the country can still be warm and sunny. Some areas start to get more rain than others, but overall May is a mild, relatively dry month to visit New Zealand. 

 

David Mckenzie
By
David Mckenzie

Matai Bay Northland
David Mckenzie
By
David Mckenzie

New Zealand Weather in March

The New Zealand weather in March sees slight drop-offs in temperatures from peak summer, with days getting a bit shorter and some rain starting to arrive in some places. Overall, however, you can still expect plenty of long, sunny days and warm temperatures to be enjoyed around the country. 

 

David Mckenzie
By
David Mckenzie

When the Tasman Glacier (New Zealand’s longest, at 25 km) calves ice into its terminal lake, a winter wonderland is the result.
David Mckenzie
By
David Mckenzie

New Zealand weather in June can mean snow in the mountains while cities on the coast enjoy clear, crisp blue days. And while temperatures can dip below freezing in the South Island and alpine regions, the subtropical far North offers plenty of winter warmth.

David Mckenzie
By
David Mckenzie

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