New Zealand is in the Southern Hemisphere, which of course means mid summer is at Christmas time while mid winter is June/July. The climate is oceanic temperate. Given the small land mass relative to the expanse of ocean around New Zealand, the seasonal variations in New Zealand weather are smaller than mainland Europe. In general terms New Zealand's climate equates to France / North West Spain / Portugal. North Island has a warm mild climate, almost sub-tropical in the extreme north. Auckland average summer temperature (January) is about 21C and winter is 11C. Annual rainfall in North Island is around 125-150cm (slightly more than most places in the UK), the west receiving slightly more rain than the east. Auckland's climate might be described as being similar to northern Portugal.

South island is cooler, Dunedin has average summer temperatures of about 15C and winter 6C. (Similar to nouthern France). The contrast in rainfall across South Island is much greater due to the Southern Alps and varies from 300cm on the west coast to 65cm on the Canterbury Plains and Christchurch. New Zealand Weather

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