I'm reading that Nelson is the sunniest place to be in the winter in New Zealand (June/July), but am also reading the the North Island is sub-tropic. So I'm wondering which to explore at this point. Which is warmer? Is there any chance of being able to actually swim in the ocean at either during this time? (We were in Scotland one summer, and the water was SO cold that we could barely wade. But it was so gorgeous that it didn't matter.) Will we be able to bike some, or will it be too cold for that, too? What about camping?

You may have better luck on the Australia board - lots of postings regarding NZ there.

Our trip to NZ was in January so I can't speak about their winter, but I would imagine the further north you are, the better your chances of avoiding winter weather.

Hi Cindy - I have only been to NZ once, but we spent about four weeks there in January and the weather was very mixed indeed.

The north island was generally warm/hot during the day, but still a bit chilly in the evening, and the south island was positively cold especially in Queenstown. We both ended up buying fleeces and in my case a dryzabone as well!

We went swimming with dolphin from Akaroa on the south island and we had wetsuits. I wouldn't have gone in without!

Having said that the weather didn't detract from anything, and the north and south islands are so different it would be a shame to miss either. It's probably best to post on the other board as you will get more local replies who have a better idea of the weather year on year.

Have a good trip!

Subtropics is NOT the tropics. During winter sub-tropical areas do have freezing temperatures.

Nelson is probably the warmest spot in New Zealand because of it's location. It does not mean that it's 20 deg warmer than anywhere else in NZ. It may be just couple of deg warmer ON THE AVERAGE.

New Zealand is a small country. The only extreme difference in weather may be in the really deep south end of the South Island. I visited Queensland(high elevation) in mid-April and the weather was just outstanding. Beautiful, clear, sunny days with temps up to ~70 deg. F and nights at about 40-50 deg. I also did a day tour of the Milford Sound which included couple of hours on a boat, and it got cold once the sun disappeared behind the mountains. It wasn't freezing, but the combo of wind and 50 deg temps did make it necessary to zip up your jacket and not face the wind.
Auckland was few deg warmer.
Christchurch on the other hand was few deg colder on the average, than Queenstown. One day the temps never hit 50 deg during the day, but it was still a very sunny, clear day, and the evening/night was very cold.

I doubt very much you'll be able to swim anywhere during that time of the year. Don't forget, NZ is just a stonethrow away from the Antarctic. Even when the temps are hot, the water is just extremely cold. In Auckland we had summer temps during my visit 80+ and beautiful clear skies but when I went on a sailboat and touched the water, I thought my fingers would fall off.

One of most amazing experiences and sights are the glaciers. The only glaciers in the world that end in a rain forest. That is what makes NZ different in many ways.

I loved NZ and hope to go back soon for a second tour.

Have a great trip!

Both have pleasant winter temps....we have spent time in May/June...this year & in 2003.
It was very pleasant in both Nelson & the far North of the North island.

We love the Nelson area....and the far north. I think the everyone runs to the south....but there is incredible beauty in the north island!!