What to pack for your trip to New Zealand

Packing for a trip to New Zealand depends on where you plan to go. New Zealand has a largely temperate climate with mild temperatures, moderately high rainfall, and many hours of sunshine throughout most of the country. New Zealand's climate is dominated by two main geographical features: the mountains and the sea. While the far north has subtropical weather during summer, and inland alpine areas of the South Island can be as cold as minus 10°C in winter, most of the country lies close to the coast, which means mild temperatures, moderate rainfall, and abundant sunshine.

Layers, layers, layers. Wear loose and breathable clothes that are comfortable in the heat and dry quickly when wet from either sweat or rain. In summer a light jacket or sweater should be included in your luggage should the weather turn cooler or you visit the high country. You can expect some rain, so include a light waterproof jacket or coat. Ideal are lightweight hoodies like the highly weatherproof Arc'teryx Squamish jacket, which is breathable, too – handy for when the weather clears up again. You might also opt for an actual rain jacket like the Patagonia Torrentshell.

Functional clothing. If you are planning to visit the South Island in winter, functional clothing is key for enjoying and being safe in the outdoors. You usually can borrow from the hotel warm outer clothing such as snowsuit, boots, gloves and balaclava. In addition, you should pack thermal underwear (preferably wool), breathable layer clothing, plenty of socks (again, preferably wool, rather than cotton or synthetic), and a warm hat. Swedish functional clothing specialist Odlo has a great line of clothing products for the icy outdoors.

Lightweight shoes for hiking. Pack a not-too-bulky pair of trail runners that can handle both streets and trails in dry and wet conditions, such as Saucony’s Peregrine 7 for men or women, that hold up well on wet and dry ground.

Power adapter and charger. In New Zealand the power sockets are of the three-pin type I – the same as in Australia. The standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. The Type I power adapter is included in this world adapter set from Bestek, and a multiport charger, like Anker’s compact Powerport 4.

Packing cubes. They not only keep your suitcase organized, but also compact your clothes to save space. One of frequent travellers'favorites are Eagle Creek‘s Pack-It cubes, which come in different sizes so you can tailor your setup to your needs.

The Lonely Planet's New Zealand guide provides great advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Experience Maori culture, be wowed by beautiful glaciers or hike through gorgeous scenery.

You'll also find lots of useful information on official tourist website for New Zealand.