Notes to Home

Deciding what to pack for a trip to New Zealand takes a little bit of planning. There are so many options for activities, from outdoors adventure and hiking to nightlife and beautiful eateries. So, you’ll want to keep versatility in mind. Plus, the weather here can be unpredictable at the best of times. They don’t call us the land of four-seasons-in-one-day for nothing!

One thing I love about New Zealand is the relaxed, ‘come as you are’ fashion scene, so don’t worry too much about following the latest trends whilst you’re here. Most bars and restaurants do have a dress code, but, again, this is commonly just smart casual. Comfort is key!

Here’s some tips:

👉 If you’re travelling in the warmer months (December to March), you’ll want to opt for loose, lightweight clothing that will help to keep you cool. My staple summer wardrobe consists of tank tops, denim shorts, sarongs and bikinis.

👉 In the winter, you’ll want layers, a warm coat and trousers/jeans to keep you warm. You might also like to opt for a good pair of boots (hiking or otherwise) depending on your activities. It doesn’t get intensely cold here, but can drop below freezing, especially in the South Island. 

👉 Bring a rain jacket no matter what time of year you visit. You can thank me later.

👉 And PLEASE, if there’s just one thing you take my advice on, let it be the sun. Just 30 minutes in the New Zealand summer sun can cook you to a crisp and leave you with seriously bad burns. Temperatures can be low but the ultra-violet rays are vicious due to the hole in the ozone layer. Wear a hat, sunglasses and a high SPF sunscreen.

Ultimately your packing list will depend on the time of year you visit, how ‘fashion-focused’ you tend to be and whether you’ll be spending much time outside. 

Here’s a suggested packing list that I used for packing to travel ‘hand-luggage only’ this year. I would and have used all of this on various trips across New Zealand. Feel free to personalise depending on your fashion tastes and the time of year you’re visiting! 

Clothing:

• Underwear
• 4 pairs of socks
• 1 pair of hiking socks
• Sports bra
• 3 t-shirts
• 2 activewear tops
• 1 nicer top for going out 
• 2 thermal base layers (I love Ice Breaker)
• A button up shirt that can double as a beach coverup 
• 1 dress
• 2 pairs of trousers (I like jeans and Lululemon hiking trousers)
• 1 pair of leggings
• 3 pairs of shorts (I packed denim shorts, lounge shorts and a pair for hiking)
• 1 dress
• 1 pair of joggers (tracksuit bottoms) – optional
• 1 bikini or swim suit
• 1 lightweight ‘nicer’ jumper
• 1 hoodie
• 2 jackets (1 fleece and 1 rain jacket)
• A beanie or sun hat (depending on the time of year you visit)
• PJs

Shoes:

• 1 pair of walking/hiking boots
• 1 pair of trainers or everyday shoes
• 1 pair of sports sandals

Other items:

• Toiletries (but you can buy everything you need here so I wouldn’t worry too much past getting yourself through your flight etc)
• Medications and copies of your prescriptions
• If you’re coming from the US or Europe, you’ll need an travel plug adapter
• Daypack/smaller backpack
• A microfibre towel
• Sunglasses

Documentation:

• Passport 
• Travel insurance 
• Itinerary
• Drivers license 
• Credit and debit cards
• Student ID (if you have one)

One thing I’d note is that less is more,,and your packing list shouldn’t differ much depending on the length of time you’re here. It’s best to bring enough clothes for a week and then pay a visit to the local laundromat. 

And, when in doubt, remember that although New Zealand is small, it is a a modern country! We have plenty of shops, so if you really need an item you left behind, you will be able to purchase it when you get here.

Happy and safe travels!