Dressing for New Zealand Christmas wedding?

I'm traveling to NZ for a few weeks around Christmas/New Years and I know there are some NZ fabbers on the forum who will be able to give me some advice about dressing for the (upside down) season: Sal and Jenni, I'm looking at you!

I will be attending a casual daytime wedding in Sandspit, spending a week trekking near Queenstown/Mt. Aspiring, celebrating NYE in Auckland, and traveling to Rotorua and elsewhere on the North Island with friends after the holidays.

I'm posting my planned wedding outfit in Finds: what will I need in terms of a topper?

Near Auckland, highs seem to be around 75F/25C and temps don't fall too low in overnight, so very pleasant but not hot? And it's a bit cooler father south. Does that sound right?

I'll bring a technical rain jacket for our treks, but what kind of topper do you recommend for everyday? Is a trench coat overkill?

Thanks so much!

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1 year ago

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Wow, how fun! Pretty dress. I know Sandspit, nice area north of me.
A light jacket or cardigan should be good. In my experience a trench coat might be a bit much ( I have never owned one) but they do get worn by others so I am not sure on that.

BTW we call your second Find “jandals” here ( a NZ word that comes from “Japanese sandals”) If you want to sound like a Kiwi even briefly you should call them that

rose

Active Member

Welcome to Aotearoa New Zealand. I’m a (mostly silent) NZ member. Sandspit is a very pretty area. Lots of beaches, markets, vineyards.
Our weather is slow to become summery this year- definitely bring a raincoat! Auckland is often warm and wet.
Evenings can be coolish- a topper is a good idea. Hopefully it will be better over the holiday break.
Farther south can be cooler but when it’s hot ‘down south’ it’s very hot!
Hope it’s a wonderful holiday for you!

Sal

Welcome to NZ Notsaf!!

North Island - can be warm, a little windy and a cool breeze at night but very temperate. Definitely a sweatshirt or light knit but mostly sundresses, shorts etc are fine

As you move South it can be both colder and hotter. If hiking I strongly recommend merino tops and a windbreaker/raincoat and a wool hat. It can be cold at altitude.

The sun is intense here - make sure you cover up from it. I love my linen long sleeve tops with shorts in summer at the beach with a wide brim hat.

Quite honestly, I would only bring a gear raincoat, not a trench. I think it will be too warm and bulky - they do get worn here but more for transitional seasons or even winter in the North.

Our weather is unpredictable and can change daily!! Auckland will be the dressiest area, Rotorua is very casual and the South Island is more outdoorsy although people will dress up for wineries and restaurants. Jumpsuits or sundresses with a light topper, wide leg pants and wedges - that type of thing.

For the wedding I would take a light jacket or cardigan or wrap - my gold bomber is a workhorse for these types of things. A dressy cardigan could work too.

In terms of where to go and what to see

- in Rotorua the redwoods and the lakes are lovely - my favourite is Tarawera but the Blue Lake is a nice place for a swim or walk. The Mountain bike trails are wonderful - the Dipper is a lot of fun!!
- you can't really go wrong in Queenstown/Central Otago - Glenorchy/Arrowtown/Gibbston Valley/Clyde are my favourites - walks, bike trails etc... If you can get there Milford Sound is wonderful, we went there two years ago - but it's a LONG drive from Queenstown.

Feel free to ask any more questions!!

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