NZ Climate Zones

New Zealand is divided into six main climate zones for building regulations, although it also has three broader climate zones. The six zones, used in the NZ Building Code, range from the warmest areas in the north (zones 1 and 2) to the coldest in the south (zones 5 and 6). The three broad zones are: subtropical (Northland, Auckland), oceanic/temperate (central and southern North Island, northern South Island), and continental/subantarctic (southern South Island, alpine regions).

Zone 1

Warmest, including Northland and parts of the Auckland region.

Zone 2

Warm, encompassing most of the rest of the North Island (excluding the Central Plateau).

Zone 3

Moderate, including the Central Plateau, Wellington, Manawatū, and parts of the northern South Island (Nelson, Marlborough, West Coast).

Zone 4

Moderate to cold, including the remaining northern South Island regions (Nelson, Marlborough, West Coast).

Zone 5

Cold, including the eastern South Island (Canterbury, Otago).

Zone 6

Coldest, including the far south of the South Island (Southland, Fiordland) and alpine regions.