Although New Zealand is fairly close to Australia, a country which is seen by most citizens of the world as a place of warmth, New Zealand by comparison has weather which is a little more questionable. Much like European countries such as the UK, France and Switzerland, New Zealand is known for having unpredictable weather, and by that I mean, you could have four seasons occur in one day.
Trekking near Franz Josef Glacier, New Zealand
This makes it quite difficult to pack for a trip. You don't want to over do it and take too many clothes, because it'll be difficult to lug around. However, you also can't afford to pack too lightly in fear of rain storms, snow and unexpected mud patches. There's no real right answer to the question: what should you pack, because everyone has their own opinions. It might be wise to set aside the Parking4Less website for a moment, and consider the items on the following list:
A raincoat - Anyone from the UK will understand that rain can occur when you least expect it. The weathermen don't always get it right.
A warm jacket – Then again perhaps you should kill two birds with one stone and make your coat double as a warm and waterproof one.
Jeans – You ought to take at least one pair for casual wear. Especially if you go trekking the landscape.
Socks – Take as many as you can without feeling like you're overloaded. We all know socks like running away, and you'll need them.
Underwear – They don't run away as often as socks, but it's not uncommon for them to go missing. Avoid any issues by packing plenty.
Swimwear – You probably will end up going swimming at some point. For example, in Wellington you may decide to go surfing, or just swimming on the coast.
Tracksuit/ sweatpants – For comfort.
Dress clothing – Nice shirts, skirts, dresses: anything suitable for a nice evening out to a restaurant or a bar.
Shorts – Hot days do occur, and you'll want to remain cool during that time.
