November to mid-April are the best months weather-wise in the Wellington area. Most establishments are open (apart from Christmas Day, New Year's Day, and Good Friday). Everything is particularly busy during the summer school holidays from mid-December to the end of January; book well ahead if you're traveling during this holiday period. From February to April, you can expect fewer crowds and many brilliant, warm days. Winters bring more rain, but they're rarely bitterly cold. Do be prepared for unpredictable weather; rain and southerly gales, though they may not linger, are possible even during the summer.
