70-Something Suggestions
 

Hi, We're a couple planning our first trip to NZ. We love walking in nature, learning about cultures (through museums or small walking tours), nice accommodations, great seafood, getting as much off the beaten track as our age allows ( in good health but not up to strenuous hiking), building in relaxing Time for reading, regrouping. We enjoy driving. We don't enjoy group activities unless the group is small. We've been told Feb is a great month for our 3 week trip but I'm also reading about Feb crowds-are NZ shoulder seasons a better idea? When are they?
Thanks in advance,
Christy

March/April is a good time to visit and also November.
February is pretty hectic - it's a short month anyway and we have a national holiday on Feb 6 creating a long weekend over the whole country.
Chinese New Year brings HUGE numbers of Chinese visitors here in February as well.
We have great seafood here! Try Mikano restaurant if you are in Auckland.

I've visited NZ many times at many times of year, and February (and to a lesser extent March) was my least favorite month for several reasons - too warm and sticky (we're cool weather people) and too many people (although this is a relative thing as NZ doesn't get hugely busy compared to say, the Berner Oberland in mid-summer, but the Chinese have discovered NZ and well, they tend to travel in very large groups).

We prefer just about any month outside of Dec-Feb. I consider shoulder season April-May (post-Easter, which can be quite busy with locals and Aussies as it's a 4-5 day weekend) and Oct-Nov.

June-Sept is well off season, yet also a decent time to visit if you enjoy peace and quiet, skiing and and potentially ferocious weather:)