|
Choose best season for visit SINCE Maori, the indigenous people of New Zealand, named the country Aotearoa (land of the long white cloud), the seasons have been of paramount importance to New Zealanders, many of whom make their living from the land.New Zealand has mild temperatures, moderately high rainfall and high sunshine hours throughout most of the country. Its climate is dominated by two main geographical features, the mountains and the sea, and each season this creates a playground for adventure. Spring is grape harvest season and the start of the year's winemaking. The many wine regions of New Zealand come alive with wine festivals, orchard trees in bloom and the last of the skiers on the slopes. Summer is the Christmas season in New Zealand and the traditional time for family holidays, relaxing at baches (New Zealand holiday homes) and playing outdoors. Autumn explodes in a sea of greens, golds and reds. With settled weather and cooler days, it's the perfect time for experiencing New Zealand's many walking tracks. Winter brings snow and winter sports to both the Central North Island and the South Island, but sub-tropical Northland is still a playground for sun seekers. Autumn A kaleidoscope of colour embraces New Zealand in autumn. From March to May, alluring golds and warm reds splash the landscape. Traditionally the temperatures drop, but the weather stabilises making for long days of clear blue skies. From the sub-tropical north to the expansive south, it's time to enjoy orchard fruits, see vineyards being harvested, or to explore the outdoors. In the South Island, festivals flourish as the colours change. Wanaka celebrates autumn with the Festival of Colour and at the Hokitika Wildfoods Festival on the West Coast, visitors can sample extraordinary edible morsels such as huhu grubs (beetle larvae) and wasabi ice cream. The annual Bluff Oyster and Southland Seafood Festival is another event not to be missed, especially for those who are fans of the Bluff oyster, a real Southland delicacy. In the North Island, the biennial international World of Music and Dance (WOMAD) festival in Taranaki is an eclectic mix of rhythm and movement, while the fiercely contested Dragon Boat Race on Wellington's harbour offers a sporting and cultural event like no other. Autumn is the best time to cycle, walk or horse ride the historic Central Otago Rail Trail and take in the expansive blue skies, long days and incredible colours. With mild temperatures in the North Island it's not too late to swim with the dolphins along the east coast, or walk in the volcanic Tongariro National Park before its mountains become covered in snow. Winter New Zealand goes into overdrive rather than hibernation during winter. Crisp blue skies, steaming geothermal pools and a vibrant après-ski atmosphere bring the country alive. The months from June to August herald the ski season in both the North and South Islands where world class ski fields can be found amidst spectacular scenery. But there's just as much excitement can be found off the slopes. Rotorua (Central North Island) is steaming with relaxing, hot mineral pools, Queenstown (South Island) is alive with winter festivals, and the country's major cities - Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch - make for great weekend breaks to shop for designer brands and dine at world-class restaurants. In the North Island, Mount Ruapehu is home to the country's largest ski fields. Mount Ruapehu dominates the skyline of Tongariro National Park, a dual World Heritage Site for its natural beauty and cultural significance. The South Island has over seven public ski areas and numerous other private fields. Coronet Peak in Queenstown is the most popular field and Mt Hutt in the Canterbury region has one of the longest and most consistent seasons in the Southern Hemisphere. The highlight of the ski season would have to be the Lindauer Queenstown Winter Festival, a major event on any snow enthusiast's calendar. June is the month to welcome in Matariki, the Maori New Year, with multiple cultural celebrations throughout the country. Then comes the start of the scallop season in August and the Coromandel Scallop Festival is the best way to celebrate and indulge in this tasty delicacy. Spring Spring in New Zealand unfurls like the iconic koru (a spiral shaped frond). Shaking off its winter coat to reveal lush greens, crystal blues and snow-capped mountains, the country revels in the warming temperatures and lengthening days. September heralds the start of the Spring Festival, an array of art, culture, food and wine and gardening events throughout the country. The three-month long programme incorporates 11 key events highlighting the best New Zealand has to offer in spring. The acclaimed World of WearableArt Awards Shows in Wellington is an international art and culture event not to be missed for its creativity and spectacle. The sun shines on numerous garden festivals including the Taranaki Rhododendron and Garden Festival and the Ellerslie International Flower Show (Auckland). Kaikoura Seafest (South Island) showcases the coastal region's seafood and top local wineries just outside of Wellington celebrate the year's vintage with Toast Martinborough. Spring is when the natural waterways are at their best for hurtling downstream in a jet boat, white water rafting or taking things at a more sedate pace down the Clutha River looking for historic mining huts in the schist. Skiing in New Zealand lasts into spring giving a longer season for the seriously keen and breathtaking colour contrasts for photographers. Whether it is feeling rejuvenated by a canyon swing or regenerated by exploring one of the country's many walking tracks, spring in New Zealand offers a diverse range of activities for any holiday maker. Summer Summer in New Zealand means sizzling barbecues and swimming at the beach, salads, sauvignon blanc and lazy days at the bach (the Kiwi word for a holiday home). Christmas is celebrated in shorts and t-shirts and the crimson blooms of the pohutukawa tree provide colour along the coast. From December to February, New Zealand is alive with the sound of crickets, and not just the insect variety. As soon as the weather warms up, Kiwis vacate the cities and head to baches and campgrounds up and down the country. New Zealand celebrates at this time of year and there's a party to suit just about everyone. Summer is the season for outdoor food and wine events. The famous Wine Marlborough Festival in Marlborough is a wine connoisseur's dream, while the effervescent Rhythm and Vines music festival in Eastland hums with a chic, bohemian feel. Iconic Kiwi bands such as the Feelers, Shihad and The Datsuns travel the country on their summer pilgrimages to coastal towns and lakeside villages. Cultural festivals like Te Matatini (a traditional Maori performance competition) and the Pacifika Festival celebrate the arts, and New Zealand's unique tapestry of cultures. For those with a sense of adventure, New Zealand's doors are thrown wide open. Land, sea, sky and mountains are teeming with activities for all abilities, from extreme adventure to total relaxation. Summer is the perfect time to try river surfing, gliding and scuba diving or, for those who like their feet firmly on the ground, a hike in one of the country's National Parks. |
About Us | Our Publications | Shopping | Visa Enquiries | Information Days | Links | Advertising | Privacy Policy
© 2005 Consyl Publishing & Publicity Ltd.