New Zealand, a far-flung country of 5 million people in the Southern Hemisphere, is home to some of the most stunning natural wonders you can see on this little blue pale dot we all live in.
From the colorful lakes of the Tongariro Crossing to the breathtaking view of the Milford Sound, New Zealand has to be one of the most beautiful countries I have ever traveled to.
Due to its extreme location right at the edge of the world, the weather in New Zealand can be quite unpredictable. And since most of the tourist attractions in the country are outdoors, your trip will live or die by how prepared you are for what's to come.
I spent more than 5 weeks backpacking through New Zealand, from north to south, during the summer months back in 2014. Based on my experience, I have decided to compile a New Zealand packing list to help you prepare and pack for your epic trip to New Zealand.
Within this guide, you will find all the information you need to help prepare you for the journey with a comprehensive packing list for New Zealand. Without further ado, let's begin with the most important packing question of all: "What to wear in New Zealand?"
- What to Wear in New Zealand?
- What Backpack to Bring To New Zealand?
- Should I Get a Travel Insurance for New Zealand?
- What Other Travel Essentials to Bring To New Zealand?
- What Camera Gear to Bring To New Zealand?
- What Electronics to Bring To New Zealand?
- Toiletries Packing List:
- Further Reading for Backpacking in New Zealand
What to Wear in New Zealand?
Depending on when you are visiting New Zealand, the temperature can range from 25°C (77°F) in the summer in the North Island to as low as 3°C (37°F) in the South Island. Basically, the further south you go, the colder it gets.
It is also important to note that New Zealand is located in the southern hemisphere, and so the seasons are reversed. The summer months in New Zealand are from December to February, the autumn is from March to May, the winter is from June to August, and the spring is from September to November.
New Zealand also sees a lot of rainfall every year, and it is evenly distributed throughout the country, especially in the South Island. In fact, the Milford Sound, one of the most popular tourist attractions in New Zealand, sees rainfall over 180 days per year, so consider yourself lucky if you are there when the weather is clear.
New Zealand is also home to the windiest city in the world, Wellington, which is also the capital city of the country. There are also places with names like Cape Foulwind that should give you a hint that the wind in New Zealand is no joke.
Basically, even if you decide to visit during the summer, you are going to have to pack multiple layers to help protect yourself from heavy rainfall, strong winds, and sudden drops in temperature that can happen when it is cloudy outside.
Plus, New Zealand is known for its outdoor activities, stunning mountains, and all the Great Walks and hiking trails you can do. So, if you want to enjoy all that New Zealand has to offer, you are going to have to prepare to be exposed to these elements.
Here is a list of things to wear in New Zealand for both men and women. Keep in mind that this is only an example list of things you should pack for New Zealand, and I am only listing the essentials. So, be sure to bring what you think is necessary for you as well and use this as a guideline to see what things you might have missed from your packing list.
Breathable Shirts: This is the first base layer that will help wick your sweat out so it can be insulated by the second layer of your clothes when it is cold outside.
It is also great to wear when the sun is out in the summer and it gets hot outside. Since you will be wearing these shirts every day, make sure to pack a few breathable shirts of various colors just in case.
Tank Tops: New Zealand is surrounded by the ocean, and with so many beautiful coastlines and beaches, especially in places like Nelson where it is often sunny throughout the year, you might find yourself spending most of your time there relaxing by a sunny white sand beach. So, be sure to pack a few tank tops for such occasions.
Breathable Shorts: The same goes for shorts. You should pack shorts that you feel comfortable wearing when you are out exploring a city or hiking on sunny days. You will likely be wearing shorts a lot in the summer when you are on the North Island, so be sure to pack a few.
Thermal Long Pants If you are planning to hike one of the Great Walks in New Zealand like the Routeburn Track, which I highly recommend, the weather can be extremely cold and snowy even in the summer, so be sure to pack a few thermal long pants just in case. For women, leggings are perfect for this as you can wear them with dresses or even go hiking with them.
Jeans: Jeans are great in cool weather. They are tough, durable, and look great on anyone. I highly recommend you get Levi jeans. They last forever and can keep you warm in winter.
Waterproof Rain Pants: As mentioned earlier, it rains a lot in New Zealand, and if you are out hiking and do not want to get your jeans wet (jeans can take a while to dry), I highly recommend you pack lightweight waterproof rain pants that you can easily put on over your jeans anytime you need to keep your pants dry.
Fleece Jacket: This is the second layer that you can wear on top of the thermal shirt. The fleece jacket will act as insulation to help maintain your body heat and keep you warm when it gets chilly outside in New Zealand, so be sure to pack one for your trip. I recommend you get this fleece jacket from Columbia.
Waterproof Outer Shell Jacket: It can get quite drizzly in New Zealand, especially in the South Island. Therefore, it is always a good idea to pack a waterproof outer shell to be worn on top as your outer layer to keep you dry and protect you from strong winds.
I highly recommend that you get this orange Columbia Watertight Jacket which is lightweight, waterproof, and will protect you from strong winds. Combine this with a breathable shirt as your first layer and a fleece jacket as your second layer, and you will have quite a lightweight hiking setup that will keep you warm and allow you to swap around as you like.
Down Jacket (For winter): The down jacket is your savior when it comes to visiting New Zealand in winter. The temperature can be as low as 3°C (37°F) in the South Island, and a down jacket can be used as the third layer to help keep you warm. So, do not forget to pack one if you are planning to visit New Zealand in winter or during the shoulder seasons.
Down jackets can be extremely massive and hard to pack, but fortunately, they are pretty lightweight, and you can save your bag's space if you compress it with a compression bag into a smaller size so you can pack it easily.
Travel Shoes: Since you will be hiking a lot in New Zealand, as the most beautiful tourist attractions in New Zealand are outdoors and often involve hiking, you will need to pack a good, comfortable shoe that you don't mind wearing and walking/hiking with for 3 to 6 hours a day.
I highly recommend this Timberland shoe for guys or this walking shoe for women if you are looking to buy a new one on this trip. Make sure to break in your shoes before getting on that plane. You do not want to be stuck with shoes that give you blisters when you are on your trip.
Flip-flops: There will be days when you just want to break out your flip-flops, let your toes out in the open air, and just walk along the beaches in New Zealand, so be sure to pack one too.
Hiking Socks: When I travel, I always pack hiking socks instead of regular socks because they are often lightweight, extra soft, and have moisture control, which helps prevent odor when you spend hours walking in them.
Wool Socks: If you are planning to go hiking in the South Island and spend a few nights in mountain huts, it can get pretty cold at night, even in the summer, so be sure to pack several warm wool socks and wear them when you sleep. Make sure the socks are made out of wool. Wool is extremely effective when it comes to keeping you warm.
Wool Beanie: Your ears are also one of the places on your body that will easily get cold, so be sure to pack a wool beanie. This way, you can wear it outside when you are out exploring the mountains in New Zealand.
Wool Gloves: Again, to keep your hands warm, get wool gloves to prevent the heat from escaping from your peripherals in places like Franz Josef Glacier and the Routeburn Track in New Zealand.
Neck Gaiter: Last but not least is a wool scarf. With long pants, a wool beanie, socks, and gloves, the only area left where your body heat can escape is through your neck. So, get a wool scarf and wear it when it's cold outside.
Swimwear: There will be many chances to go swimming in New Zealand to freshen up after a long hike, like at Lake McKenzie along the Routeburn Track or to soak in one of the many thermal hot springs in Rotorua. So be sure to pack one for your trip.
What Backpack to Bring To New Zealand?
A Large Backpack: If you are planning to visit New Zealand for more than a week, I highly recommend carrying at least a 40L backpack to carry all the travel essentials while you are on the move. You can also use it to carry all your essentials while hiking the Great Walks of New Zealand.
I highly recommend Osprey backpacks. They are durable, very light, and have a lifetime guarantee. Get the Osprey Atmos AG Backpack for men and the Osprey Aura AG Backpack for women if you are looking for a high-quality backpack that will last you a lifetime. I have the Osprey Atmos myself, and I love it!
A Daypack: You are also going to need a daypack to carry all your travel essentials for the day, such as a water bottle, camera gear, jackets, etc. Depending on how much you want to carry, I found 25L to be a good capacity for a daypack.
I personally use Herschel Supply's Little America bag as my daypack, and I love it. It is pretty affordable, very comfortable to wear, and stylish as hell. If you are looking for a stylish daypack to go with your trip, get the Herschel Supply Little America backpack.
Should I Get a Travel Insurance for New Zealand?
Yes! New Zealand is known for its abundance of outdoor activities, and you will likely be participating in extreme activities you might not think you would like, such as jumping out of a plane at 15,000 ft or bungee jumping off a bridge. So, be sure to get travel insurance before your trip to New Zealand.
Travel insurance is not expensive, and if things go wrong, which is often the case when you travel, at least you will have the insurance to cover the costs that may arise. If you are looking for travel insurance providers, consider browsing through HeyMondo for regular trips or World Nomads for adventure trips and find the right travel insurance that fits the trip you are planning.
Disclaimer: World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers in over 100 countries. As an affiliate, we receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.
What Other Travel Essentials to Bring To New Zealand?
Bus Pass: If you are planning to explore New Zealand by bus, I highly recommend getting the Flexipass, a bus pass from Intercity Bus, the largest bus operator in the country.
The Flexipass will allow you to buy hours, and you can travel around New Zealand on any available route as many times as you like until the hours run out on your bus pass. It is a great way to hop around the country without having to pay a ton of money or rent your own car.
Packing Cubes: Packing cubes are a life-saver for backpackers and light travelers out there. I used to travel without one, and it was often a mess in my backpack. I would frequently find something I had been looking for months later, after returning from a trip.
With packing cubes, that is no longer a problem as everything is nicely organized into its own cubes, and I can take things in and out of my backpack without messing up other things in my backpack. I highly recommend you buy 4 packing cubes for your trip.
Microfiber Towel: It is easy to dry, lightweight, and small enough to pack in your daypack. It is great to have with you when you are done hiking in the mountains and are looking to freshen up in one of the many stunning lakes in New Zealand.
Water Bottle: It is always important to keep yourself hydrated when you travel, especially when hiking. You would do Mother Nature a great favor if you bring your own water bottle instead of buying a plastic one every time you feel thirsty.
I highly recommend the Lifestraw Filter Bottle, which will also help filter the water for you to ensure it is safe to drink. Tap water is okay to drink in New Zealand, but when you are out hiking and need to refill your water from a natural watering hole, it is better to be safe than sorry and filter your drinking water with the Lifestraw Filter Bottle.
Padlock: If you are planning to stay in hostels in New Zealand, you will be sharing a space with other travelers and you are going to need a padlock to secure your belongings in a locker at a hostel when you are out and about. Most of the time, the hostel will provide a locker for free if you have your own padlock, so it is best to pack one just in case. I highly recommend Master Lock Padlock.
Insect Repellent: This is extremely essential if you plan to go hiking in places like the Abel Tasman National Park where you will be swarmed by the spawns of Satan that are the sand flies the moment you are idle. I highly recommend getting the Repel 100 insect repellent or you can get the local one at one of the many convenience stores you find around New Zealand.
What Camera Gear to Bring To New Zealand?
Sony a6600: This camera is what I carry for most of my trips around the world. The Sony a6600 is very compact and light, while the capabilities are more than enough to take excellent photos and videos for my travels. Combine it with the lenses I use below, and you have one hell of a capable yet lightweight camera gear you can carry anywhere with you.
Sony 16-55mm F2.8 Lens: This lens stays on my Sony a6600 camera 90% of the time. The focal length of 16mm and 55mm allows me to capture wide shots for landscapes as well as up-close street shots of the local people, respectively. And if you are looking for one lens to rule them all, this is it.
Sony 10-18mm F4 Lens: This is also another lens I often carry on my trips. The 10mm minimum focal length gives me an ultra-wide field of view, which allows me to take some really nice expansive photos of the wonderful nature of New Zealand, and there are tons of them.
Sigma 56mm F1.4 Lens: When I travel, I often enjoy doing street photography and taking photos of the locals. One of my favorite lenses to use for travel portraits is the Sigma 56mm F1.4 lens, which has a wide aperture of F1.4. This allows me to capture stunning bokeh and take beautiful photos of people. I absolutely love this lens and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys photographing people.
DJI Mavic Mini 2: For a travel drone that is lightweight and highly capable, you just can't beat the DJI Mavic Mini 2. It weighs only 249 grams and is smaller than an iPhone when collapsed. If you are looking for a travel drone to carry with you in New Zealand, you will love the DJI Mavic Mini 2.
GoPro Hero 9 Black: If you plan to do extreme sports like mountain biking or go on a thrill ride on the luge, having an action camera like the GoPro Hero 9 will allow you to capture some really cool shots in places where it might not be a great idea to bring an expensive camera with you, so be sure to pack one.
What Electronics to Bring To New Zealand?
Macbook Air: If you are looking for a laptop to travel with that is lightweight but highly capable, I highly recommend getting the new Macbook Air with the powerful M1 chip. It is not too expensive, extremely compact and light, and you can do everything from browsing the web to photo editing all on one machine.
Power Bank: In this day and age, you will most likely be relying on your phone a lot more than you think when you travel, from navigation to booking accommodations. You are going to need to keep your phone and other electronics juiced up with a power bank.
Plus, the lithium batteries used in your cameras and phones can be drained much faster in places like Patagonia, where it's cold. So, having a power bank should help keep these devices juiced up for when you need them. I highly recommend the Anker PowerCore 20,000 mAh power bank for your trip here, which should be enough to keep all your electronics charged throughout the day.
Travel Adapter: No matter where you are from, you are going to need a travel adapter that will allow you to adapt your electronics to the power outlets in New Zealand. I highly recommend the Unidapt 61W Universal Travel Adapter, which should cover most types of power outlets out there.
iPhone 12 Pro Max: If you do not want to carry a camera around while you travel and are looking for a phone that has the best camera you can get, buy the iPhone 12 Pro Max. The phone is extremely powerful, and you can do everything on it from navigation to taking excellent photos with its 3-camera setup. You just can't beat the iPhone when it comes to phone cameras.
Toiletries Packing List:
Do not forget to pack all the toiletries you need for your trip. Most of the time, you can buy them in convenience stores in New Zealand for cheap, but things like sunscreen can be quite pricey here, so you will probably save more by buying them beforehand.
- Shampoo
- Soap
- Sunblock
- Chapstick to prevent dry mouth
- Moisturizer to prevent dry skins
- Toothbrush & toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Hand Sanitizer (very important during this COVID time)
- Wet Wipes
- Nail Cutter
- Travel Medical Kit (pain killers, band airs, etc.)
- For Men: Shaver
- For Women: Make-up, menstrual cup, and other lotion if you need.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Backpacking in New Zealand
I've spent 5 weeks backpacking in New Zealand, and I have written a ton more about my journey traveling throughout New Zealand, from the North Island to the South Island, that might help you in your trip planning.
Here's a selection of articles about New Zealand:
- Looking for a complete backpacking itinerary for New Zealand? Check out One Month Itinerary for New Zealand.
- Don't have one month in New Zealand? How about spending 2 weeks visiting all the highlights of New Zealand on the South Island? Check out our 2-Week Itinerary for the South Island, New Zealand.
- Planning a trip to New Zealand? Here are the 12 Best Places to Visit in New Zealand.
- New Zealand has a special place in my heart. It is one of the most memorable trips I have ever done, and here are 10 things I love about New Zealand.
- If you are planning to travel from North to South in New Zealand, Rotorua is a great place to start your journey from Auckland. Here are the 7 Best Things to Do in Rotorua.
- Did you know that you can climb Mount Doom from Lord of the Rings in real life? Check out: The Ultimate Hiking Guide to the Tongariro Crossing.
- Planning to travel across Cook Strait from Wellington in the North Island to Picton in the South Island? Here's How to Get From Wellington to Picton.
- Nelson is one of the most laid-back and sunny cities in New Zealand, making it a great place to relax and enjoy the abundant sunshine. Here are the 7 Best Things to Do in Nelson.
- Did you know that you can do parts of New Zealand's Great Walks in one day? The Abel Tasman Track offers a wide range of hiking trails to choose from. Here’s The Ultimate One Day Hiking Guide to the Abel Tasman Track.
- Want to do a road trip along the Great Coast Road in New Zealand? Better start in Westport. Here are the 5 Best Things to Do in Westport, New Zealand.
- Want to go hiking on a glacier in the Glacier Country of New Zealand? Here is the Ultimate Backpacking Guide to Franz Josef.
- Wanaka is a must-visit lakeside town full of incredible nature and wonderful mountains waiting for you to explore. Here are the 8 Best Things to Do in Wanaka.
- Queenstown is the adventure capital of the world, and whatever extreme activities human bodies can endure, they probably have them in Queenstown. Here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Queenstown.
- Queenstown is also one of the best places in the world to go skydiving. Here’s my experience skydiving with NZONE in Queenstown.
- The Milford Sound is one of the most popular attractions in New Zealand, and it would be a shame to miss it when you are in New Zealand. If you want to visit the Milford Sound, check out: A Day Trip from Te Anau to the Milford Sound.
- One of the best Great Walks in New Zealand is the Routeburn Track, and if you have to pick one Great Walk to do, make it this one. Here’s The Ultimate Hiking Guide to the Routeburn Track.
- Lake Tekapo and Mount Cook are some of the most photogenic places to visit in New Zealand, and it is best done together. Here are the 8 Best Things to Do in Lake Tekapo and Mt Cook.
- Dunedin has so much to offer for nature lovers. From the sight of the world's largest birds to the beautiful cliffs of Tunnel Beach, here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Dunedin.
- Not convinced by my words about New Zealand? Come follow me, and I'll show you New Zealand in 70 photos.
- You can see all of my New Zealand travel guides and related articles on my New Zealand Travel Guide page.
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