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Where is the best weather in the South Island?

Nelson is situated on the northern coast of the South Island and has one of the best climates in New Zealand. The city is relatively small compared to bigger metropolitan areas such as Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch. If you are looking for sunshine it has a mild, sunny climate with warm summers and mild winters.



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Dunedin has a unique blend of Scottish and Maori influence, composed of many Edwardian and Victorian buildings. It's consistently rated as one of the best places to live in the country due to its affordable housing market, civic pride and youthful atmosphere.

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The best time to visit the South Island of New Zealand is December to February if you're looking to experience outdoor fun in optimum summer weather. The average daily temperature ranges from 68 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit during this time, but bear in mind that the farther south you venture, the cooler lows you may face.

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Generally speaking, if you want to engage with city culture or explore Maori history, the North Island is for you. If you want to deep-dive into nature, the South Island has plenty of lakes, mountains, fjords, and glaciers to discover.

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It's a no-brainer that if you are travelling to New Zealand for more than a couple of weeks, you should visit both islands! Yet, with limited time off work and/or a limited budget, you may have no other choice than to make the most of either the North Island or South Island. One island isn't “better” than the other.

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New Zealand's climate gets warmer the further north you go, so the North Island is generally much warmer than the South. Head north of Auckland to the subtropical Bay of Islands and you'll stays warm even in the winter months!

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A Scot has set a new world record for the fastest swim across the Cook Strait - the waters between New Zealand's North and South Islands. Andy Donaldson, 31, swam through the night to complete the 23km route in four hours and 33 minutes. It was the third leg of seven comprising the Oceans Seven challenge.

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