Essential New Zealand Packing List for Travel in All Seasons

The ultimate packing list for a New Zealand Holiday

Packing for a trip to New Zealand can be exciting and stressful all at once. You’ve made all the arrangements for your trip and chosen your itinerary. You might feel like you don’t have time to pack for your holiday, much less have time to think about what you need in New Zealand. 

Don’t worry! This packing list walks you through all the New Zealand travel essentials! 

When planning a trip to beautiful New Zealand, the land of the long white cloud, it’s important to pack smart and pack light. With its varied climates and diverse activities, knowing what to pack can be a challenge.

But fear not! After traveling around New Zealand, I’ve learned a thing or two about what to bring (and what not to bring) to make the most of your trip.

In this post, I’ll share my ultimate packing list to help you prepare for all types of weather and activities, whether you’re hiking in the mountains, lounging on beautiful beaches, or exploring the cities.

So grab your suitcase, and let’s talk about New Zealand travel essentials!

What Luggage to take to New Zealand

Let’s start with the thing that holds it all together—your luggage.  

Personal Item

If you’re flying Air New Zealand, you can bring one small personal item. This could be a purse, shoulder bag, duty-free bag, or laptop sleeve. 

Carry-on bag

You can also bring one carry-on bag. The weight limit for carry-on luggage for most international flights to New Zealand is 7 kg (15 lbs). The length plus height plus width of a carry-on bag on a flight to New Zealand must add up to 118 cm (46.5 in) or less. 

Your carry-on bag could be:

• A small suitcase
• A travel backpack
• A large tote bag
• A duty-free bag
• A laptop bag
• A camera bag

If you’re traveling light, a carry-on might be all you need!

Checked baggage

How much baggage allowance you’ll have depends on your ticket and the airline.

On an Air New Zealand flight, a checked bag can weigh up to 23 kg (50 lbs). Its length, width, and height must add up to no more than 158 cm (62 inches). 

Choose to right luggage to take to New Zealand

First, do you want to take a backpack or a suitcase to New Zealand? It really depends on the type of trip you’re taking and how you prefer to travel.

If you are planning to backpack New Zealand, from the Coromandel Peninsula to the Franz Josef Glacier, then, yes, a backpack is the obvious choice. 

And if you are planning on luxury travel in New Zealand, taking wine tours near Auckland or in Central Otago and relaxing at the Hanmer Springs hot pools and day spa, a suitcase is the way to go. 

However, if you’re somewhere in the middle, you might want to consider both options fully before deciding. 

Should you take a backpack to New Zealand?

Why you should take a backpack to New Zealand

You will need a backpack if you plan to hike and camp. A travel pack can hold a sleeping bag as well as all your camping gear. It will also have straps for a tent and sleeping pad. 

You have a lot more mobility with a backpack than with a suitcase. While you’ll find a lot fewer cobblestone streets in New Zealand than anywhere in Europe, there are still plenty of uneven, unpaved surfaces where dragging a suitcase with wheels isn’t easy. 

If you’re planning an extended visit to New Zealand, where you’ll be traveling by bus and hiking extensively, a backpack will give you the portability you’ll need. 

Why you (maybe) shouldn’t take a backpack to New Zealand

You should be pretty fit before planning to carry a massive backpack. If you’re not in great shape already, practice hiking with a fully packed backpack before you leave home. Otherwise, you’re likely to spend your vacation sore or even nursing an injured back. 

If your backpack isn’t the right fit for your body shape and size, you’ll be uncomfortable. Try several backpacks on before you buy.

Even better, load a backpack up with gear, then try it on. Wear it around the store for a while. What feels great empty might not be the best fit when it’s full of hiking boots, clothing, and camping gear. 

If you’re only doing day hikes, a full-sized backpack may be overkill. You might find it easier to bring a suitcase with a small carry-on backpack that you could then use for hiking. 

Should you take a suitcase to New Zealand?

Why you should take a suitcase to New Zealand

Wheeled suitcases are easier to handle than a backpack, especially if you’re not used to carrying a heavy pack. 

Most people travel by car or campervan in New Zealand. So a suitcase works perfectly fine. 

Suitcases stack more efficiently. This is handy if you’re travelling with a group. 

A hardshell suitcase provides protection for fragile items, like camera equipment or toiletries. 

Why you (maybe) shouldn’t take a suitcase to New Zealand

You can’t hike with a suitcase. However, if you’re only planning on day hikes, just pack a small daypack-sized backpack and you’ll be all set. 

If the wheels break, you’ll have to carry it anyway. That, obviously, is no fun. 

The ultimate New Zealand packing list

When we traveled in New Zealand, we tried to think about all the things we’d need. Lucky for you, we put together a complete packing list of what you need for your New Zealand trip.

Outerwear

• Sun hat
• Warm hat
• Rain jacket
• Coat or jacket

Clothing

• Tank tops
• T-shirts
• Long sleeve shirts
• Light sweater
• Heavy sweater or fleece jacket
• Jeans or long pants
• Hiking pants
• Shorts (bike shorts are great for hiking in)
• Swimsuit (togs in New Zealand)
• Swim coverup or kaftan
• Underwear
• Bras (go for support and comfort)
• Hiking socks (I prefer wool socks for warmth and comfort)
• Socks for casual/dress shoes

Shoes

• Hiking boots (wear these on the plane or pack at the top of your suitcase, because customs will want to inspect them)
• Flipflops (they’re called jandals in New Zealand!)
• Casual shoes or sneakers
• Flats or dress shoes (skip these if your casual shoes work with your nicer outfit)

Toiletries 

• Toothbrush/toothpaste/floss
• Brush/comb
• Hair straightener/curling iron/product
• Razor/shaving cream
• Deodorant
• Shampoo/Conditioner
• Face cleanser
• Soap/body wash
• Contact solution
• Extra contacts/glasses
• Sunscreen (very important as the NZ ozone layer is quite thin)
• Makeup
• Lip balm
• Other personal toiletries you will need

Medications/First Aid

• Acetaminophen/ibuprofen
• Antihistamines
• Band-aids
• Antibiotic cream
• Insect repellent
• Prescription medications
• Hand sanitizer

Tech

• Phone
• Phone charger
• Car charger for phone
• Auxiliary cable 
• Portable battery/power bank/portable charger
• Camera 
• Camera gear
• SD cards
• Underwater camera
• Phone underwater camera sleeve
• A GoPro
• New Zealand travel adapter               
• GPS (We found this to be essential for our New Zealand road trip.)
• GPS car mount
• Binoculars
• Kindle
• Laptop and charger
• Surge protector
• Podcasts, playlists, and audiobooks (You don’t exactly need to “pack” these, but plan ahead and download them when you have plenty of free Wi-Fi.)

Accessories & Extras

• Packing cubes (Perfect for packing your clothes to keep your suitcase organized. Smaller ones are great for holding your miscellaneous travel gear.)
• Sunglasses
• Backpack/day pack
• Reusable water bottle
• Travel towel
• Buff neckware (Works as a scarf, protects your neck from the sun, doubles as a headband or scrunchy, can even be an eye mask when sleeping. Super versatile and lightweight.)
• Guidebook (I love having an old-fashioned paper travel guide that provides information about a region’s history and culture, as well as advice on what to see and do.)
• Waterproof bags
• Canvas shopper bag
• Small travel umbrella
• Dry sack (This will protect your gear from rain when you’re hiking or from getting wet when you’re doing water activities.) 
• Number padlock (Super handy if you will need to store your bag in a locker, either while you’re off on a multi-day hike, or just when you’re staying in a hostel.) 

Official stuff

• Passport
• Photocopy of passport
• Driver’s license
• Driver’s license translation (if license isn’t in English or International Driver’s Permit)
• Evidence of sufficient funds
• Return ticket
• Visa and/or NZeTA and IVL
• Credit cards and/or a debit card
• New Zealand dollars 
• Travel insurance
• Copies of your travel documents

Pack according to where you’re going in New Zealand

Weather conditions in New Zealand vary by what region of the country you’re in. The South Island is colder than the North Island. The west coast gets more rain than the east coast.

Inland regions of New Zealand experience more extreme weather than the coastal areas do. You’ll find more wintery weather in higher elevations. 

You’ll find that New Zealand’s weather and different climates vary considerably.

If you’re going to the South Island in the winter, you’ll need lots of warm clothing. But you’ll probably still want that swimsuit to soak in natural hot pools. 

If you’re going to the North Island in the summer, you’ll be mostly wearing shorts and T-shirts, but you’ll still need rain gear and a sweater or fleece for cooler days. 

For urban adventures or day trips, you’ll want comfortable walking shoes with a good grip. New Zealand is fairly casual, so wear what you’re comfortable in, whether that’s jeans and a T-shirt or a cute dress. 

If you’re packing for outdoor activities or adventure sports in New Zealand, you’ll want plenty of quick-dry clothing and sturdy hiking shoes. You can rent any outdoor equipment you need (like skis), so no need to pack that.

What to wear in New Zealand at different times of the year

In New Zealand, the weather can change in minutes. You can experience all four seasons in one day! That means you need to pack for sun, rain, wind, and possibly snow, whether you are visiting New Zealand in August or April, July or January. 

When planning for a day in New Zealand, expect rainy weather and anticipate temperature swings. Wear shoes that can hold up to wet weather. Always dress in layers and keep a rain jacket handy. Expect variable weather and be prepared for it. 

No matter what time of year you visit New Zealand, your basic packing list will remain the same. But for each season, you’ll need to add a few extra items to be prepared for the weather. 

What to pack for New Zealand in summer 

In addition to the list above, add a few extra tank tops and T-shirts, plus an extra swimsuit if you’ll be on the North Island.

Depending on where you’re going, it’s a good idea to take a mid-weight jacket or coat, even though it’s summer. The summer months might be cooler than you expect.

Remember, NZ summer is December, January, February. These are New Zealand’s warmer months.

What to pack for New Zealand in Autumn 

Make sure you have a heavy jacket or a medium-weight coat. Depending on when and where you’re going, you might even need gloves and a heavy coat. 

If you’ll be outdoors, use common sense and bring an extra layer. Remember that sunny days can quickly become rainy or overcast

New Zealand autumn is March, April, and May. 

What to Pack for New Zealand in Winter

I’d recommend adding an infinity scarf and gloves to your packing list. Winter is going to require a heavy coat. Swap out shorts for an extra pair of pants or cozy hiking leggings.

June, July, and August are the winter months in New Zealand.

What to pack for New Zealand in Spring 

As in autumn, be sure your jacket will be warm enough. Depending on which month you’re traveling to NZ and what your destination is, you might even need gloves and a heavy coat. 

Spring in New Zealand is September, October, and November. 

NZ travel essentials for different activities

New Zealand Hiking Packing List 

Incredible opportunities for hiking in New Zealand abound on the North and South Islands. Hiking is a great way to explore the country, and you’re missing out if you don’t hike in New Zealand!

Hiking gear you need in New Zealand is basically the same as what you’d need elsewhere.

• Comfortable hiking shoes (Take the time to break these in before you get to New Zealand.) 
• Wool hiking socks (I’m a big fan of merino wool socks.)
• Rain pants  (These rain pants are lightweight and don’t take up much room in your backpack. You’ll be glad to have the when you’re halfway through your hike and it starts to pour rain.)
• Sturdy daypack-sized backpack 
• First aid kit
• Bug spray
• Sunscreen (You need this for any activity in New Zealand, but if you’ll be out hiking in the sun all day, you’ll need to reapply frequently. Do not underestimate the power of the sun in New Zealand.)
• Lip balm with sunscreen (Between the wind and the sun, you’ll want this accessible.)
• Trekking poles (Optional, but very handy on rough terrain.)

When hiking, always take a rain jacket and an extra warm layer with you in case temperatures drop. Even in the summer it can be quite chilly. 

New Zealand Camping Packing List

If you plan to camp in New Zealand for an extended period of time, you’ll want to bring your own gear, including:

• Tent
• sleeping bag
• sleeping mat
• drybag
• Flashlight/Torch (A headlight version is the easiest.)
• Thermal underwear (Nights can get really cold!)

Bringing your own camping gear is probably worth it if you’re in New Zealand on a working holiday visa.

However, if you just want to spend a few days camping in New Zealand, you will find it easier to just rent gear from a New Zealand outdoors store.

Local outdoors shops offer gear hire all over the North Island and South Island for a relatively small extra cost. You can also arrange transportation and meals through them as well. 

New Zealand Campervan packing list

Campervans are a classic of budget travel in NZ. They come pretty well kitted out with the essentials, so you won’t have to buy too many extras. 

Double check with your rental company for exactly what’s included with your camper van rental. You should be provided with linens, towels, cooking gear, plates, and cutlery. You will have to buy things like food, garbage bags, and dishsoap.

If you’re going on a campervan road trip, you’ll want to add a few extra things to your list:

• Flashlight (a torch in New Zealand) and extra batteries. Super handy if you need to leave the campervan in the night. I highly recommend a headlamp over a handheld flashlight.
• Beach towels. You’re likely to get one towel per person with your rental, and having a beach towel will keep your shower towel from getting sandy. 
• Motion sickness medication. New Zealand roads are windy, and you might feel that motion more in a campervan than a regular car. If anyone in your group is at all prone to motion sickness, I recommend bringing this. 
• Pack of cards or easy to pack games.  Just something to keep you entertained in the evening hours. 
• Dry shampoo and baby wipes. Not all campsites have showers, so you can use these to freshen up as needed. 

Family packing list for New Zealand

New Zealand is very family friendly, and our NZ family holiday was probably our favorite family vacation ever. 

If you’re taking a family road trip around New Zealand, I’d just add a few things to the lists above, based on the ages of your children. 

Babies packing list for New Zealand

• Extra diapers (nappies in New Zealand).Take more than you think you will need in your carry-on, just in case your kid gets a bad case of diarrhea on the plane!
• Baby carrier or sling

Toddlers Packing List for New Zealand

• Waterproof boots. This may mean waterproof hiking boots if your kid is a little hiker. If not, pack rainboots (Wellies) to keep your little one’s feet dry on daytrips. 
• A nightlight. Your accommodations probably won’t provide this, but if your toddler is used to sleeping with a nightlight, take one with you—along with an extra adaptor. 

Older kids/teens Packing list for New Zealand

• Books
• Card games
• Notebook or journal with some cool pens
• Coloring books
• Map.  Let kids mark off where you’ve been and track where you’re planning to go.
• Tablets/phones. If your kids use tablets or devices while you travel, you’ll wantcool apps like Merlin Bird ID or Sky Guide.
• Headphones for each child
• A splitter so two can listen from one device on their headphones

Still having trouble packing for New Zealand?

If you’ve studied all these packing lists and are still having trouble deciding what to take, lay out everything you’re considering packing.

Narrow down the items based on comfort and function. Choose items that layer well and will mix-and-match together.

Think about where you’re going and what you’ll be doing. Check the weather forecast and average temperatures for that general time of year.

Be sure you’ve got enough clothes for cold weather and enough for warm weather. “Enough” doesn’t mean a new outfit each day—just that you’ll have something appropriate when you need it. 

Whether you’re going to New Zealand for one week, two weeks, or a month, you really only need the same amount of clothing and gear. You can always wash your clothes along the way. 

Final thoughts on things you need for a trip to New Zealand

We consider our camera and a GPS to be our top New Zealand travel essentials.

For shoes and clothing, focus on comfort and practicality. Pack for all types of weather. Bring lots of layers and mix-and match individual pieces. 

Don’t skimp on sun protection. Bring a hat, sunglasses, and plenty of sunscreen.

Worried you’ll forget something? Don’t be!

There are plenty of shops in New Zealand where you can buy whatever it is you’ve forgotten. You can stop at an outdoor adventure supply store for sporty hiking gear, shop at a boutique for something lovely to wear, or visit an “opp shop” (that’s Kiwi-speak for a thrift store) to get what you need on the cheap. 

Bring your sense of adventure and sense of humor, and you’re well on your way to having everything you need for a New Zealand vacation! Get ready for the trip of a lifetime!

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