Three week trip to NZ - best time to go in Febuary/MArch time frame
 

Hello:

My wife and I are at the initial stages of planning a three week (or more) trip to NZ in the February/March time frame. We are flexible on dates and want to spend time on both the NI and SI. I am looking for some opinions on this WRT the weather/holiday schedules.

After going through the forums it seems from the local holiday schedules (such as school holidays,etc.) that it would be better to start the trip in the later part of February and extend it into March versus going in early February.

Or does it make more sense to arrive in the first part of March when the crowds may be less but there is still good weather.

Thanks in advance,
Ken

March is a "settled" month so I'd go for the lower crowds.

School in New Zealand normally go back in the first week of February, so any time after that would be perfect for a visit. The weather in February is normally very settled, I think February would be better than March.

Visited NI & SI this year from the last week of Feb to the latter part of Mar. Crowds were not an issue [was able to book activities the day before and probably could have waited to the day of] and fortunately the weather cooperated as well [lost only one afternoon of sightseeing due to inclement conditions]. However, the weather did turn a little cool on the bottom half of the SI the last week we were there [the locals acted like this was normal for that time of year]. Therefore based on our experience, I would recommend starting your trip on the SI or starting a week earlier than we did.

Thanks for all the replies.

The advice on starting with SI and working our way to NI is what we were mulling over. So thinking of flying into Auckland, NZ and then continue on a connecting flight to Queenstown same day, renting a car and then working our way North. Most likely arrive NZ Feb. 15 and then depart around March 15 or so.
Ken