New Zealand's weather changes rapidly. It can be very cold at any time of the year. Always be physically and mentally prepared for the worst conditions and be ready to change your trip plans if necessary.
If you are heading into the mountains check the New Zealand Avalanche Advisory as well as the MetService weather forecasts.
MetService weather forecasts
Latest weather information - incudes short and extended forecasts, mountain and marine forecasts.
Other MetService information:
National parks
- Abel Tasman National Park - Motueka town forecast | Boating/kayaking forecast
- Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park - detailed park forecast
- Arthur's Pass National Park - detailed park forecast
- Egmont National Park - detailed park forecast
- Fiordland National Park - detailed park forecast
- Kahurangi National Park - detailed park forecast
- Mount Aspiring National Park - detailed park forecast
- Nelson Lakes National Park - detailed park forecast
- Paparoa National Park - Buller rural forecast
- Rakiura National Park - Invercargill forecast | Foveaux marine forecast - east coast | Foveaux marine forecast - west coast
- Te Urewera - Brief NZ mountain forecast | Extended NZ mountain forecast
- Tongariro National Park - detailed park forecast
- Whanganui National Park - Wanganui rural forecast
- Westland Tai Poutini National Park - Aoraki/Mt Cook forecast
- Westland Tai Poutini National Park - lowland area - Westland rural forecast
Other parks and reserves
- Aorangi Forest Park - Wairarapa rural forecast
- Bay of Islands Historic and Maritime Park - Bay of Islands inshore forecast
- Catlins Forest Park - Clutha rural forecast
- Coromandel Forest Park - Coromandel rural forecast
- Kaikoura/Clarence area - Marlborough rural forecast
- Kaimanawa Forest Park - Brief NZ mountain forecast | Extended NZ mountain forecast
- Kaimai/Mamaku Forest Park - Bay of Plenty rural forecast
- Kaweka Forest Park - Brief NZ mountain forecast | Extended NZ mountain forecast
- Mount Richmond Forest Park - Marlborough rural forecast | Nelson forecast | Nelson Lakes – detailed park forecast
- Northland Forest Park - Northland rural forecast
- Pureora Forest Park - Waitomo rural forecast
- Raukumara Forest Park - Brief NZ mountain forecast | Extended NZ mountain forecast
- Ruahine Forest Park - Brief NZ mountain forecast | Extended NZ mountain forecast
- Tararua Forest Park - detailed park forecast
- Victoria Forest Park - Buller rural forecast
Other areas
More information
Call the MetPhone service line 0900 999 + the Area Code for the local area you wish to visit (charge applies), or check the latest information and conditions at the nearest DOC visitor centre.