Moving to New Zealand? If you’ve not visited our shores before, you might be surprised to learn that the country has a diverse climate. From winters that feel more like summers at the top of the North Island to more snow, rain, and high winds in the far South, where you live can greatly impact your lifestyle and quality of life.
Whether you prefer a warm, subtropical climate, a cooler, temperate climate, or a continental climate with snowy winters, there is a New Zealand city that will suit your preferences.
With plenty of job opportunities across various industries, moving to New Zealand could be the perfect career and lifestyle choice.
Weather patterns vary significantly from region to region. Although New Zealand is a small country, it’s also long and mountainous, which has a big impact on the weather patterns of each region. Take the South Island, for example. The Southern Ranges splits the island in two. This results in a very wet region (The West Coast) and a very dry region (Canterbury) on either side.
There’s another reason to consider the weather before you move. New Zealand homes are not always adequately insulated or equipped with central heating, particularly in older properties. A milder climate may be better for people who prefer outdoor activities, while a cooler climate may appeal to people who enjoy a cozy indoor lifestyle or like to be close to the slopes.
Overall, taking the time to consider the weather and accommodation options in New Zealand will help you make a more informed decision and ensure a more comfortable and enjoyable experience living in the country.
While there are plenty of places with great weather in New Zealand, we’ve ranked these cities based on weather and the likelihood that you'll find work.
New Zealand has many small towns with great climates. However, small towns aren’t always the easiest place to settle in if you're moving here to work. You’ll find these cities have a great climate, and offer the quality of life you’re looking for:
Auckland, the largest city in New Zealand, is known for its warm, temperate climate, with mild winters and pleasant summers.
The city receives plenty of sunshine, and temperatures rarely dip below 10°C in winter.
Given the size of the city, Auckland is the best place to move if you’re after a metropolitan city with great weather. You’ll find everything you need in the city, plus easy access to the great outdoors and a great climate to help you take advantage of it.
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Christchurch, located on the South Island's east coast, has a cool, temperate climate with mild summers and cold winters. The city receives plenty of sunshine and moderate rainfall throughout the year.
The city is surrounded by beaches that are clean and warm enough to swim in during summer.
While there are sunnier places to move to, Christchurch boasts a large population which makes it much easier to find employment, meet friends and settle into life in New Zealand. The city is growing a growing economy, and job opportunities are available in sectors such as construction, tourism, and agriculture.
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Tauranga, located on the east coast of the North Island, has a warm, subtropical climate with plenty of sunshine and mild winters.
The city receives moderate rainfall throughout the year. The region is a popular place for young families and retirees to live.
Tauranga is small but growing relatively quickly. As the region is warm and wet, it's a popular growing region and there are plenty of jobs in horticulture, food production, transport and logistics. Job opportunities are available in sectors such as healthcare, education, and manufacturing.
Whangarei has a subtropical climate with warm, humid summers and mild winters. It’s situated in Northland, an hour and a half drive north of Auckland. The town receives plenty of sunshine, although yearly rainfall is high.
Northland’s subtropical climate earns is the title of the ‘winterless north’ and June and July have the highest winter temperatures of anywhere in the country. Temperatures rarely get colder than 15 degrees.
The only downside is the size of the town. Whangarei is small, which may make finding employment harder than in other larger centres. Whangarei is known for its beautiful beaches, and stunning coastline, and there are job opportunities in the forestry, agriculture, and tourism sectors.
Napier is a relatively small town, much like Nelson. It’s located on the east coast of the North Island and is known for its Mediterranean-like climate, with long, hot summers and mild winters.
The town is one of the sunniest places in New Zealand and receives some of the highest sunshine hours of anywhere in the country. Rainfall is low compared to other parts of the country.
Napier is famous for its art deco architecture, wine industry, and healthcare, education, and hospitality job opportunities. Its warm, dry climate mean there are plenty of orchards and jobs in horticulture and related industries.
Nelson is situated on the northern coast of the South Island and has one of the best climates in New Zealand. The city is relatively small compared to bigger metropolitan areas such as Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch.
If you are looking for sunshine it has a mild, sunny climate with warm summers and mild winters.
Nelson is a popular wine-growing region thanks to its dry summers and arid climate. Nelson is relatively small, and other towns nearby, including Blenheim that also boast great weather and additional job opportunities. Nelson is known for its laid-back lifestyle and natural beauty. There are plenty of beaches and bush walks to keep you entertained if you like the outdoors. Job opportunities are available in the tourism, agriculture, and creative industries.
Queenstown is the gem of the south. It has long, hot summers and cold winters, making it an ideal place for anyone who enjoys outdoor activities like hiking and boating in summer and skiing in winter.
Located in the Southern Alps of the South Island, is known for its stunning natural beauty, adventure tourism, and job opportunities in the hospitality, tourism, and outdoor recreation sectors.
While Queenstown is a great place to move for the weather, the small size of the town and the lack of jobs or housing affordability makes it a more difficult place to live. There are several towns nearby, including Arrowtown, Wanaka, and Cromwell, with similar climates, although they lack the job opportunities that Queenstown has.
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New Zealand offers a range of cities and towns with excellent weather conditions, making it a great place to live and work. Whether you prefer a warm, subtropical climate or a cooler, temperate climate, there is a New Zealand city that will suit your preferences.
With plenty of job opportunities across various industries, moving to New Zealand could be the perfect career and lifestyle choice. Need help with your move? You can find professional movers no matter where you're based at the click of a button. Book your next move here.
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