New Zealand in February

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New Zealand Weather in February

As the last official month of summer in New Zealand, February often brings the highest temperatures. The weather is usually consistently warm and clear, however, like in any month in New Zealand, expect the odd rainy day. New Zealand is famous for having “four seasons in a day” even in summer.

North Island Temperatures: Highs of around 25ºC (77ºF) or more, and lows of 10ºC (50ºF).
South Island Temperatures: Highs of around 22ºC (72ºF) and lows of 10ºC (50ºF).

For a packing list to match the weather in February, see Packing List for Summer in New Zealand.

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February Events in New Zealand

Like many countries, summertime usually means festival time. There are many festivals and outdoor events to enjoy during February in New Zealand. Waitangi Day (February 6) is a big time in New Zealand which brings along Maori cultural events. While Waitangi Day events happen all over the country, The Waitangi Treaty Grounds in the Bay of Islands and Okains Bay near Christchurch are among some of the biggest celebrations. To learn more, check out What is Waitangi Day?

Summer Festivals in February

• Auckland Lantern Festival to celebrate the Chinese New Year
• Art Deco Weekend in Napier
• Kawhia Kai Festival
• Te Matatini Festival
• Splore Festival, Auckland
• Marlborough Wine Festival
• Festival of Lights, New Plymouth
• Rugby Sevens, Wellington
• Wellington Summer City – New Zealand’s capital city has around 90 free events throughout summer such as free gigs in the Botanical Gardens.

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The Activities that are Best Done in February

February is a great time to get outside in New Zealand. The world’s your oyster, unless you want to do winter sports then this is the wrong season for you. Generally, water activities are a great option in February when the warm weather makes jumping into the water more refreshing than freezing.

Popular water activities in New Zealand include surfing, white water rafting, scuba diving, snorkelling, swimming and canyoning. Get inspired by these articles:

• 10 Places to Scuba Dive in New Zealand
• 5 Best Beaches for Snorkelling in Auckland
• 7 Places to go White Water Rafting in New Zealand
• 7 Impressive Canyoning Locations in New Zealand
• The Best Surf Regions in New Zealand

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Typical Prices in February

Because February is a popular time to travel to New Zealand, prices are usually a bit more expensive than you will find in other seasons. However, if you are desperate to travel New Zealand during summer then February tends to be a cheaper option than travelling in December and January. For an idea of costs, take a look at How Much Does it Cost to Travel New Zealand?

Flights in February

Out of the summer months, February is when you will find the cheapest flights to New Zealand. Follow our tips on how to get a cheap flight to New Zealand so you find the best deal. Plus, wise up on the arrival process in our Airport Arrival Guide.

Vehicle Rental in February

Vehicle rental prices are also at their highest during the summer season, so consider that in your budget. We have more vehicle rental costs to budget for in this article.

Accommodation in February

While most budget accommodations in New Zealand have the same prices year-round, some hostels and holiday parks will have higher prices during summer. Holiday parks can bump their prices up to NZ$50 per night for a powered site, while hostels tend to stay around the NZ$25-$32 price margin for a bed in a dorm.

Activities in February

On the plus side, most activity operators in New Zealand will be open for summer giving you more to choose from. Activity prices often stay the same year-round so this should not affect your budget too much when travelling in February.