Weather: Frosty, cold conditions forecast for New Zealand, temperatures below zero in South Island

Fine, frosty conditions are forecast all over New Zealand this week, with temperatures set to drop below zero for much of the South Island.

Forecaster Samkelo Magwala told the Herald high pressure would move across New Zealand, bringing good weather during the week.

“It will be cloudy on the eastern side of the North Island, while other places will see some winter sunshine,” he said.

🧊 Between a Ridge and a Low Place - Weekly outlook 🧊

Cold southerlies are gripping NZ this week, locking in frosty mornings and crisp, sunny afternoons for many. Inland & southern areas can expect widespread frosts, while eastern regions (like Canterbury to Hawke’s Bay) face… pic.twitter.com/TLlNzPxxQz

— MetService (@MetService) August 11, 2025

Magwala said the freezing temperatures would bring morning frosts across both the North and South Islands throughout the week.

“Temperatures would be even below 0C in some areas,” he said.

“Most South Island stations would struggle to go above 0C in the morning.”

According to the MetService website, Queenstown will tumble to a low of -3C and a high of 9C today, with Invercargill reaching a high of 10C and a low of -3C.

Christchurch is forecast to fall to -1C with a high of 9C today.

Brrr… the chilly temperatures continue! 🥶
Clear skies overnight and a flow of air from the south 🐧 will bring frosty mornings for many in the days ahead. A little reminder from Mother Nature that it’s still winter! pic.twitter.com/dH4cYT2Z6I

— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) August 10, 2025

The situation for inland cities in the North Island would not be much better, Magwala said.

Taupō would reach an average high of 11C all week but would fall to -2C tomorrow morning.

“Hamilton could linger around OC in the mornings, or could be even less than OC.”

Temperatures fare better for the top half of the North Island.

Kaitaia is set to be the warmest town in New Zealand with an average high of 16C and an average low of 7C.

Tāmaki Makaurau is forecast to hit an average minimum of 5C and an average high of 15C.

It will be a similar story in the Bay of Plenty, with Tauranga reaching a high of 15C and a low of 5C.

David Williams is an Auckland-based multimedia journalist who joined the Herald in 2023. He covers breaking news and general topics.

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