New Zealand Weather in December

Is December a good time to visit New Zealand?

December is a fabulous time to visit New Zealand. Summer has arrived, and you can expect plenty of warm, sunny days and long, balmy evenings. It’s a fun time of year among locals, as the work and school years wind down and the Christmas-New Year holiday season arrives. This brings with it a whole host of fun activities, events and festivals to enjoy, as well as perfect weather for enjoying New Zealand’s natural beauty and breathtaking landscapes!

What is the weather like in New Zealand in December?

December marks the official start of summer in New Zealand, and the weather is typically warm, sunny and dry around much of the country. As always, there are exceptions to this rule, and you can still get periods of rain and cloud in some places. Still, temperatures are on the rise throughout the month, and with daylight hours approaching their zenith around Christmas, there’s plenty of sunshine to enjoy around New Zealand in December!

Average temperatures in New Zealand in December

Temperatures across New Zealand in December are pleasantly warm in most places, with some areas already feeling the early arrival of hot summer temperatures. Overall, though, you don’t need to worry about any scorching hot days nor any cold, frosty nights. Nightly lows only drop to around 10°C (50°F), even in the southern mountainous areas like Queenstown, and average daytime highs sit nicely between 20°C-22°C (68°F-72°F) in Christchurch, Auckland, Rotorua and elsewhere.

Average sunshine hours in New Zealand in December

Although there can still be plenty of cloud around in some parts of New Zealand during December, generally speaking you can expect a lot of long, sunny days. Daylength extends throughout the month towards the longest day of the year on December 21, so long daylight hours extend the window of sunshine hours even further. This effect is particularly noticeable in the South Island, where you can expect well over seven hours of sunshine hours per day, on average, in places like Christchurch and Queenstown (and even more in super sunny areas like Nelson and Marlborough).

Here’s a closer look at the average sunshine hours per day in New Zealand in December:

Average rainfall in New Zealand in December

The amount of rainfall to expect in New Zealand in December depends, again, on exactly where you plan on going. Generally speaking, December is much drier than the winter and spring months in most areas, although still wetter than the typically driest months of January, February and March. Inland regions like Rotorua, Hamilton and some parts of Central Otago can see a spike in the number of wet days during December, but you can expect a good number of dry days in Christchurch, Queenstown, Auckland and other major centers in December.

Here’s a rundown of the numbers for average rainfall in New Zealand during December:

Best things to do in New Zealand in December

Soak up the sun

Temperatures are on the up and day lengths are at their longest in New Zealand during December, so it’s a great time to enjoy long, languid summer evenings and plenty of sunny days. Find a cozy holiday rental at the beach, go camping by the lake, or hire a van and plan your own perfect New Zealand summer road trip.

Enjoy the Festive(al) Season

December is a busy time in the social calendar for many kiwis, as the school and work year winds down and people look towards the Christmas and New Year holiday season. Visitors can take advantage of this by attending one of the many festivals and public events taking place around the country in December. From Auckland’s Christmas in the Park to Timaru’s Caroline Bay Carnival and Festival of Roses, Gisborne’s Rhythm & Vines music festival to Waimate’s Strawberry Fare, there’s something for everyone.

Try a Great Walk

New Zealand is blessed with a lot of natural beauty, and more than 30,000 sq km (11,600 sq miles)  of that is contained within its pristine National Parks. Take advantage of the warming weather in December to explore them in an active way – whether cycling along New Zealand’s longest river in Whanganui National Park, kayaking between the coves of Abel Tasman National Park, or hiking the majestic Routeburn Track through the mountains of Mt Aspiring National Park and Fiordland National Park.

Ready to go?

If you’re ready to start planning your own dreamy New Zealand holiday in December, then First Light Travel can help get you started. They have a number of amazing NZ self-drive tour itineraries and a dedicated New Zealand Travel Blog to browse on their website. Or, you can contact FLT directly and they’ll link you up with one of their NZ travel experts, who can help you piece together your own, customized itinerary.