New Zealand Family Holidays

Kids both big and small will be spoiled for choice when deciding what to do on New Zealand’s North Island. As the country’s most populous city, Auckland has a vibrant arts and culture scene, while the sparkling blue waters of the Hauraki Gulf, just offshore, allow for countless water activities. Think kayaking, surfing, fishing, whale-watching, or simply a relaxing boat cruise. Besides loads of hiking and biking trails, there’s also a zoo and a botanic garden, and the iconic Sky Tower offers both breathtaking views and thrilling activities – like the dizzying SkyWalk and SkyJump.

Geothermal Rotorua is also something of an adventure playground. You should definitely find time during your New Zealand family holiday to check out the bubbling mud pools and spurting geysers, but there are loads of other great things to do in this region, too. You can roll down the longest ZORB track in the world, zip-line through the forest on a canopy tour, stroll along the Redwoods Treewalk, and enjoy a scenic gondola ride at Skyline Rotorua. You can also see endangered kiwi birds at Te Puia, check out the enchanting glowworm caves in nearby Waitomo or, if your children are Lord of the Rings fans, discover movie magic with a visit to the Hobbiton™ Movie Set.

If you’re bringing thrill-seeking teenagers with you on your New Zealand family holiday, they’re sure to love the plethora of adrenaline-inducing activities on offer in Queenstown. Known as the adventure capital of the world, this delightful resort town on Lake Wakatipu is the birthplace of the bungee jump. But besides throwing yourself off the Kawarau George Suspension Bridge, you and the kids can also try skydiving, white-water rafting or jet-boating here – or take a ride in the gravity-fuelled Skyline Luge.

Away from Queenstown, there are plenty of other family-friendly things to do on the South Island – many of which are more sedate. Explore Abel Tasman’s crystal-clear waters and golden beaches on a kayak trip, or go stargazing in Aoraki Mount Cook – part of New Zealand’s Dark Sky Reserve. You can enjoy scenic flights at West Coast hotspots like Franz Josef Glacier and Milford Sound, while the East Coast is the place for exciting wildlife encounters. Go whale-watching in Kaikoura, dolphin-spotting in Akaroa, visit an alpaca farm just outside Christchurch, or see little blue penguins come ashore in Oamaru.

Why not take some time during your New Zealand family holiday to discover Aotearoa's rich history? On both the North Island and South Island you’ll find fun and interactive ways for kids to learn about Maori culture, which is an integral part of this country’s identity.

The Waitangi Treaty Grounds, in the Bay of Islands, is where New Zealand’s founding document was signed back in 1840. Stop by and you’ll be able to explore heritage buildings, watch an exciting cultural performance and get up close to a traditional war canoe. In Northland’s Waipoua Forest, you can take a tour through the ancient Kauri trees with a Maori guide and discover the role the forest plays in the lives of the local people, and in Hokianga you can experience a multisensory journey of guided storytelling. Rotorua, meanwhile, is home to the New Zealand Maori Art and Crafts Institute, where you can witness talented carvers at work. Or, if your little ones are fans of water, you can always spend a day paddling a waka – a Maori canoe – along the beautiful Abel Tasman coast to Split Apple Rock.

New Zealand’s seasons are the inverse of those in the UK – so it’s great if you fancy a bit of beach time in January or want to hit the slopes with the kids in August, long after the European ski season has finished. However, if snowsports aren’t on the agenda then the winter months are generally best avoided. New Zealand’s an outdoorsy kind of place, and most activities are more enjoyable in warmer weather.

Despite its compact nature, New Zealand actually has a number of microclimates. So if you’re planning to travel around during your New Zealand family holiday, you’ll likely experience slightly different weather in different parts of the country. Typically, you’ll find that things get cooler the further south you go. But while there are a few exceptions – like subtropical Northland or the South Island’s Central Otago region – most places see relatively mild temperatures throughout the year. One thing that’s almost always guaranteed, however, is rain. Most parts of New Zealand get pretty wet throughout the year, so it’s a good idea to pack an umbrella, just in case.