Hi.
We have just begun to plan a trip to NZ. We are taking our daughter there for her high school graduation present.She's asked for this since she was a little girl. The farthest south we have been is Maui. We love snorkeling, scenery, and staying in anything from a quiet, secluded cottage to 4-5 star hotels. We had thought we were going at Christmas break to catch the summer, but we could also go spring break, which is March. What's the best time (we like warm and sunny weather)? Please help; any ideas and hotel suggestions welcome!

The resident Kiwis here will be most help, but I'd opt for March, which should be pleasant autumn weather and will avoid the long summer school and university holidays, which begin at Christmas and put pressure on accommodation availability and prices.

Hi pupps -

Like Neil, I'd choose March over Christmas too. While it'll be quieter than in December, it's by no means low season. We were in NZ this past March (SI) and were surprised how busy and WARM it was - the warmest weather we've experienced in our nine visits to the SI.

Our visit coincided with the long Easter weekend, so the island was busy with overseas tourists and traveling Kiwis alike, but Easter is in April next year, so March should be ideal.

Yes, March is going to possibly be the better time for NZ does not normally have a lengthy summer (far north of north island a little different) being relatively southern and subject to southern ocean weather blowing in, and it can tend to take its time thawing from the previous winter/spring.

You may find sites like http://www.cottagestays.co.nz/ of use and http://www.uniqueplacestostay.com.au/ to possibly find somewhere special to stay, however I do not know that NZ is particularly renowned for snorkelling (and in fact have never really heard it mentioned for NZ) but she could swim with dolphins in some locations, Kaikoura on east coast of SI being about best known for that.

For snorkelling, and if time allows, and a pity to come so far and not take a bit more time, spend a relatively low % more to head a bit further west and do some snorkelling in Australia.

March would probably be better for water temperatures since as Bushranger says sometimes it takes a while to warm up in the spring. Try Goat Island on the North Island for snorkeling, but really I also don't think much of NZ as a snorkeling destination. (Although there is a famous dive site, Poor Knights, it's not really a snorkeling spot).

http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/podcover.aspx?id=33851

I'm not sure you will find New Zealand "warm" in March (autumn). A Google search should show you average highs and lows for that month. Note that the temps will be higher on the North Island than the South Island. You'll also want to check for precipitation.
But, I think March would be a lovely time to visit as long as you are prepared for the weather.

http://www.worldclimate.com/ is a site for historical info, even if a few years behind and if you look at the average temperatures for Wellington or Auckland (a few degrees warmer) there is little difference between Dember and March at first glance....

but than consider that they are 24 hr. averages and you know how those early signs of autumn (or fall) are the cooler evenings as against later spring/early summer balmy evenings days and you factor that into the 24 hr, average, well yep March with summer carryover is warmer than December with Spring carryover is about how it works and as mlgb puts it, the water will have all that heat gained through summer rather than be waiting to be warmed up - but still cool for an aussie either way.

Ya'll are so nice! Thank you all so much for the wonderful info and opinions. You make me feel like March is the month for us. Hmmm...no snorkeling, huh? We'll work on our plan a bit more then. Take care and thanks, again!

You could do a dolphin swim instead..they'll fit you up with wetsuit.

Thanks. That sounds wonderful; we love dolphins, and often see a family of them down at South Padre Island, where we have a condo on the beach.

Bushranger, I have to tell you thank you for the websites you suggested. I loved both; the cottage one was so helpful. I really appreciate your hospitality.Pat

North Island is BEAUTIFUL in March. Quite warm, you can do some swimming and the kids will be at school while they will be off for holidays around Christmas.