New Zealand, a remote country of 5 million people in the Southern Hemisphere, is home to some of the most breathtaking natural beauty on this small blue pale dot we call home.
New Zealand has to be one of the most gorgeous nations I’ve ever seen, from the multicolored lakes of the Tongariro Crossing to the spectacular views of Milford Sound.
The weather in New Zealand can be rather unpredictable due to its extreme location right at the edge of the earth, and because most of the country’s tourist attractions are outdoors, your vacation will live or die by how prepared you are for what’s to come.
This book has all of the information you need to help you plan and prepare for your trip to New Zealand, including a detailed packing list. Let’s start with the most crucial packing issue of all: “What Should You Wear in New Zealand?”
What Should You Wear in New Zealand
Temperatures in New Zealand may range from 25°C (77°F) in the summer in the North Island to 3°C (37°F) in the winter in the South Island. In general, the further south you travel, the colder it becomes.
It is also worth noting that because New Zealand is in the southern hemisphere, the seasons are reversed. Thus, the summer months in New Zealand are from December to February, the autumn months are from March to May, the winter months are from June to August, and the spring months are from September to November.
Every year, New Zealand receives a lot of rain, which is evenly spread throughout the country, notably in the South Island. In fact, Milford Sound, one of New Zealand’s most renowned tourist destinations, receives rains on more than 180 days of the year, so count yourself lucky if you visit while the weather is clear.
Basically, even if you travel during the summer, you will need to bring numerous layers to protect yourself from heavy rains, strong winds, and the rapid decrease in temperature that might occur when it is gloomy outdoors.
Furthermore, New Zealand is known for its outdoor activities, gorgeous mountains, and all of the Great Walks and hiking routes that can be done, so if you want to appreciate everything that New Zealand has to offer, you must be prepared to be exposed to these elements.
Breathable Shirts
This is the initial foundation layer that will assist drain moisture away from your skin so that you can be insulated by the second layer of clothing when it’s chilly outdoors.
It’s also nice to wear when the sun is shining and it’s hot outside in the summer. Because you will be wearing these shirts every day, bring a couple breathable shirts in a variety of colors just in case.
Tank Tops
With so many gorgeous coasts and beaches, especially in locations like Nelson where it is generally sunny throughout the year, you may find yourself spending most of your time resting by a sunny white sand beach, so bring a couple tank tops for such times.
Breathable Shorts
The same is true with shorts. When touring a city or trekking on sunny days, bring shorts that you are comfortable wearing. You’ll probably be wearing shorts a lot in the North Island throughout the summer, so bring a few.
Thermal Long Pants
If you want to climb one of New Zealand’s Great Walks, like as the Routeburn Track, which I strongly suggest, keep in mind that the weather may be quite cold and snowy even in the summer, so bring some thermal long trousers just in case. Leggings are ideal for ladies since they may be worn with dresses or even when trekking.
Jeans
Jeans are ideal for wearing in chilly weather. They are strong and long-lasting, and they look wonderful on everybody. I strongly advise you to get Levi jeans. They stay long and keep you toasty in the cold.
Waterproof Rain Pants
As previously said, it rains a lot in New Zealand, so if you’re going hiking and don’t want to get your jeans wet (jeans can take a long time to dry), I highly recommend packing a lightweight waterproof rain pant that you can quickly throw on over your jeans whenever you need to keep your trousers dry.
Fleece Jacket
This is the second layer you may put over your thermal shirt. Make sure to bring a fleece jacket for your vacation since it will work as insulation to assist retain your body heat and keep you warm when it gets cool outdoors in New Zealand.
Travel Shoes
Because the most stunning tourist destinations in New Zealand are outdoors and frequently entail trekking, you will need to carry a decent comfortable shoe that you don’t mind wearing and walking/hiking in for 3 to 6 hours a day.
If you’re searching for a new pair of shoes for this vacation, I strongly recommend this Timberland shoe for men or this walking shoe for women. Make sure you break in your shoes before boarding the airline. You don’t want to be trapped with shoes that cause blisters during your journey.
Hiking Socks
When I travel, I typically bring hiking socks instead of ordinary socks since they are generally lighter in weight, exceptionally soft, and have moisture management, which helps elevate odor when you spend hours walking in them.
Swimwear
There will be numerous opportunities to go swimming in New Zealand, such as Lake McKenzie along the Routeburn Track or soaking in one of the many thermal hot springs in Rotorua, so carry one for your vacation.
