[noobie]

I'm hoping to take a two week trip to NZ sometime soon to get an idea of what life might be like. I realize June is winter in NZ. Is it a good time to visit? I gather (depending on where you are) that there's less rain in the winter months, though it will obviously be colder.

[willsken]

We went in the winter (August) and it was fine. Bit cold at night, but the days were sunny. Didn't have very much rain either. We were in a camper van and didn't suffer at all!

[Oregonkiwi]

I gather (depending on where you are) that there's less rain in the winter months, though it will obviously be colder.

I've never heard anyone say this before! I guess it could be true for the southern mountains if it was snowing instead of raining, but in general, winter means rain. (But then so does summer. :) ) Although as Nicola pointed out, you get sunny weather in the winter too, it's not always raining.

June isn't the absolute best time to visit, but I don't think it's a bad time either. There's no school vacations then so you shouldn't have to worry about crowds, although watch out for busy roads at Queens Birthday Weekend (June 3-5).
So I'd say, yes, pack a raincoat, take advantage of that $700 fare and go see NZ for yourself!

[noobie]

I've never heard anyone say this before! I guess it could be true for the southern mountains if it was snowing instead of raining, but in general, winter means rain. (But then so does summer. :) ) Although as Nicola pointed out, you get sunny weather in the winter too, it's not always raining.

It was actually mentioned in my Eyewitness Guide to New Zealand travel book that the western coast tends to get less rain in the winter.

[Oregonkiwi]

Do you mean the South Island west coast? The thing to remember there is that they have incredibly high rainfall (Milford Sound can get 7 meters a year), so "less" is still a lot. I'm not trying to discourage you from going! Just be prepared for rain, it will make your trip a lot more enjoyable if you're properly prepared, and hey, you might get a lovely stretch of sunny weather and then you can tell me I was wrong. :)

[veronica]

which bit are you looking to visit.

[G&K]

New Zealand = 4 season in 1 day... anytime of the year !

[jubjub]

Auckland rained quite a bit last June from what I remember, I arrived in the middle of a torrential downpour that did not stop for 3 days....

However you will be seeing the weather at its least favourable, so you know it will only get better (and warmer!)

You will be cold at night, but when the sun is out during the day, its lovely.

[Diny]

June is winter, cold nights, days can be chilly but can also be mild. When you get a clear sunny winter day it's great. A wet one is miserable. 4 seasons in one day is correct.

Diny