New Zealand weather in June
June is the first month of winter in New Zealand — here’s what to expect from June travel.
June in New Zealand is typically a slow, quiet month. It’s the time of year when I spend more time inside by the fire, enjoying hot tea and books.
However, June can be just as sporty and outdoorsy as any other time of year — ski fields open, surf gets pumping, and on sunny days, you could be forgiven for thinking it’s spring instead of winter.
If you’re planning on visiting New Zealand in June, here’s some handy information to know about the weather.
Is June a good time to visit New Zealand?
June can be cold and wet, but it’s a great time to visit New Zealand if you enjoy snow sports. Ski fields in both the North and South Islands typically open during June. And no one can argue with the beauty of snow-covered mountains.
June also means fewer crowds and off-peak prices. However, some services, such as shuttle transport to national parks, can be reduced or disappear completely over winter.
It’s definitely a bit quieter around New Zealand in June, so you’ll have less of the excited buzz of summer. Apres ski sessions in Queenstown are lively though, so if you head to ski towns you can still enjoy nightlife and a fun atmosphere.
New Zealand weather in June
In June, New Zealand winter officially begins.
Temperatures drop across the country. It starts to get seriously chilly and damp in the North Island.
June is one of the wettest months in New Zealand, with more rainfall. In Auckland, there’s an average of 12 days of rainfall in June, which means you have an almost 50% chance of getting wet.
Winters in inland parts of the South Island, like Queenstown and Christchurch, tend to be a lot drier. But the tradeoff is much colder temperatures.
Mountainous areas and ski regions receive snowfall, making it an ideal time for winter sports.
Around mid-June, New Zealand’s ski season begins. Ski fields in both the North and South Islands typically open for the winter season in June.
The colder weather keeps crowds away from popular attractions. Outside of ski towns, like Queenstown and Wanaka, New Zealand is quiet in June.
In June, days are at their shortest, which can make it harder to fit a lot of activities into a single day.
In Queenstown, the sun rises between 8.15-8.25am during June, and sets at roughly 5.30pm. That means you could have a little less than 10 hours of daylight to explore.
Does it snow in New Zealand?
Snow rarely falls in the North Island, except for mountainous areas such as Tongariro National Park and Taranaki. Snow is also rare in coastal areas of the South Island, such as Dunedin and the West Coast, but is common further inland and in the Southern Alps.
Frosts can occur anywhere in New Zealand on cold nights with clear skies.
What temperatures can you expect in New Zealand in June?
Here are some of the average high/low temperatures across the North and South Islands in June:
Auckland: 15° / 8° Celcius, or 59° / 46° Fahrenheit
Wellington: 12° / 7° Celcius or 53° / 44° Fahrenheit
Christchurch: 11° / 2° Celcius or 51° / 35° Fahrenheit
Queenstown: 8° / 0° Celcius or 46° / 32° Fahrenheit
In the North Island, average daytime temperatures in June range from about 10°C to 15°C (50°F to 59°F).
In the South Island, average high temperatures typically range from approximately 8°C to 13°C (46°F to 55°F).
Higher altitudes and mountainous regions are colder, often with temperatures remaining below freezing during the day.
I have travelled in my van in the North Island throughout June and was never excessively cold.
In Wellington, I wore a puffer jacket while outside, and boiled water almost constantly for tea and my hot water bottle, but it was fine.
I travelled around the Wairarapa, to Cape Palliser and Castle Point, and loved every minute, despite the gloomy weather.
Travelling in the South Island in June was much colder, but I loved doing a snowy hike up Mount Fyffe near Kaikoura, and spending a whole day at Maruia Hot Springs, so there are ways to make the most of the cold temperatures.
Travel tips for visiting New Zealand in June
Castle Point in June
A hike in Lewis Pass in June
As well as skiing and snowboarding, there are still plenty of things to do in New Zealand in June. You can find natural hot pools in both the North and South Islands, and some places look even more beautiful under a dusting of snow. The Southern Alps and Mount Taranaki are particularly special to see in June.
June is prime time for spotting seals. Between May and September young seals and male seals leave their breeding colonies to explore and rest. That means newly weaned pups can show up in unexpected places — we once had a young seal appear in a paddock on my mum’s dairy farm. He had swum about 12 kilometres up the river from the ocean and took the chance to explore a bit of rural New Zealand.
June is the start of the whale migration season in the waters around New Zealand, as different species swim north to escape Antarctica’s cold waters and calve in warmer waters. Go whale watching in Auckland or Kaikoura for a chance at spotting migrating humpbacks, southern right whales and pilot whales.
June and the winter months are the peak for surfing in New Zealand, but you might need to swap out your wetsuit for a 5/4 in the lower North Island or South Island (I use a 3/2 all year round in Auckland and Raglan).
What clothes to pack for New Zealand in June
In June, you will need to pack both warm and waterproof layers.
New Zealand homes are notoriously cold and unheated, so June can be a bit of a miserable time. While most accommodation will have good heating nowadays, you might still encounter cold houses if you’re booking via Airbnb.
So, it’s good to be able to layer up when you need to.
Where to go in New Zealand in June
Kaikoura winter waves
Hiking the Heaphy in June
Kaikoura
I loved visiting Kaikoura in June. I hiked up Mount Fyffe in the snow for epic views of the coast and enjoyed exploring the coastal walk to see the seals.
June is also a great time to go whale watching in Kaikoura, as this is the start of the migration season as whales head north in search of warmer waters.
Maruia Hot Springs
This hot springs resort in the mountains of the West Coast were incredible in the middle of winter. You can spend all day in the naturally hot waters, as clouds roll over the dark green beech forests and black mountain peaks.
The Heaphy Track
One of the only Great Walks accessible all year round, hiking the Heaphy Track in winter is ideal. The spacious huts are nearly empty, a light dusting of frost makes the alpine meadows even more beautiful in the mornings, and you have an excuse to light fires each evening.
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