Your First Winter in New Zealand: Why the Houses Are Cold and What to Pack

The short answer: many New Zealand homes are colder and damper inside than American families expect, so the cold you notice is often the cold indoors, not out. Pack warm layers you can wear around the house (merino is the classic), plan to buy heaters and bedding locally (US 110–120V appliances aren't made for NZ's 230V supply), and when you rent, check the home meets the healthy homes heating rules.

If you're coming from a US home with central heating, your first June–August here can be a surprise. Let's walk through why, and what's worth putting in the suitcase.

Our own first rental here taught us this the hard way. It was an Airbnb, and it was badly mouldy, far worse than your average cold New Zealand home. The sheets were wet. There were trees all around the house and hardly any sunlight; upstairs was dry and nice, but downstairs was cold and wet. Friends helped us move out, all 12 pieces of luggage, in three carloads to their house. The next Airbnb was cold but not damp, and honestly, cold is kind of inevitable.

Why do New Zealand houses feel so cold?

It isn't your imagination. Healthify, New Zealand's health information site, says plainly that many homes here are damp, cold and unhealthy, and that almost half of all homes in Aotearoa New Zealand have mould issues.

A few things tend to catch Americans off guard:

• Heating is often room-by-room. You'll commonly heat the living area and close doors to the rooms you're not using, rather than warm the whole house at once. Healthify recommends exactly that: close doors to unused rooms.
• Damp makes cold feel colder. Cooking, showers and drying laundry inside all add moisture. Healthify suggests lids on pots, using extractor fans, and drying clothes outside where you can.
• Windows and draughts matter. Curtains open in the day to let the sun in and closed before sunset, plus draught stoppers and rugs on bare floors, all help hold onto warmth.

None of this means you'll be miserable. It means a little planning goes a long way.

What the rental rules say about heating

If you're renting (most newcomers do at first), New Zealand's healthy homes standards apply. According to Healthify, since July 2024 all rentals must meet standards for ceiling and underfloor insulation, fixed heating, ventilation, moisture and drainage, and draught stopping.

The heating standard, set out by Tenancy Services, requires one or more fixed heaters that directly heat the main living room. Open fires and unflued heaters don't count, and heat pumps or electric heaters need a thermostat. Rules and details can change, so check the official source before you sign: Tenancy Services heating standard.

Questions worth asking at a viewing:

1. What is the fixed heater in the living room, and does it have a thermostat?
2. Is there ceiling and underfloor insulation?
3. Are there extractor fans in the kitchen and bathroom?
4. Which rooms get the afternoon sun?

Before you even get to viewings, one lesson from us: that mouldy first Airbnb had good reviews, so reviews alone weren't enough. Our advice is to book short Airbnb stays (a few days, a week at most), get to know the area, then move to another one. Visit the areas that fit what you want, whether that's a quiet suburb or the CBD if you'd like it lively. If you want the more certain option, a hotel is it.

Healthify also flags unflued gas heaters as a health risk, so if a place relies on one, think twice.

Don't pack your American heaters or electric blanket

This is the one that trips people up. New Zealand's supply is typically 230 volts at 50 Hz, and WorkSafe New Zealand notes that appliances need to be marked 230V (or include 230V in their range), and that products made for other countries may be dangerous if connected directly. WorkSafe also warns that relying on a transformer to run 110V equipment isn't a safe workaround.

So your US space heater, electric blanket and heated mattress pad are best left behind or sold. Buy those here, made for NZ power. (Phone chargers and laptops are often dual-voltage. Check the label for "100–240V" and you'll only need a plug adapter. We cover that properly in our what to bring vs buy guide.)

If you're still planning the move, our free guide for American families moving to New Zealand is a good next read: read Chapter 1 free.

What to pack for your first New Zealand winter

Think "warm indoors" more than "arctic expedition." Most of the year you'll want layers you can add and remove, because a sunny winter afternoon and a still evening inside can feel like different seasons.

1. Merino base layers

Merino is the backbone of a Kiwi winter wardrobe for good reason: it's warm, breathable and you can wear it under a shirt around the house without feeling bundled up. If you only pack one category of clothing for winter, make it this.

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Merino base layers were the thing from our suitcases we reached for most that first week, in those cold Airbnbs. If you're shopping for one:

• An everyday option: 100% Merino Base Layer, women's long sleeve
• A premium option: Smartwool Women's Classic Thermal Merino Crew

Check Amazon for the current price and sizing. Merino is also widely sold in New Zealand, so you don't need to bring a whole drawer. Bring enough for the first few weeks.

2. Warm socks, a beanie and gloves

Cold feet on bare floors are a real thing. Possum-merino blends are a New Zealand speciality and make great house socks and winter accessories:

• whitepeak possum-merino socks
• whitepeak possum-merino beanie
• whitepeak possum-merino gloves

3. A hot water bottle

Unglamorous, cheap to run and no voltage worries. A hot water bottle in the bed half an hour before you climb in makes a cold bedroom far friendlier. Look for one with a removable, washable cover, like this Fashy hot water bottle with quilted cotton cover. Always follow the maker's filling instructions and never use boiling water straight from the kettle.

4. Something warm underfoot

Healthify suggests rugs on bare floors to help keep warmth in. A sheepskin by the bed or on a cold floor is a cosy, practical choice:

• NZ Lambskin Rug
• WaySoft NZ Sheepskin Rug

If you're bringing a sheepskin in your luggage, remember that animal products must be declared at the border. Check the official source: MPI's guide for travellers.

5. A proper rain jacket

Pack the waterproof shell you already own. It'll earn its keep in winter and the rest of the year.

Quick packing table

What to buy once you arrive

Some things are simply better bought in New Zealand:

• Heaters, electric blankets and dehumidifiers, made for 230V and NZ plugs.
• Thermal-backed curtains, if your rental's curtains are thin. Check with your landlord first.
• Draught stoppers for doors.
• Bedding: a warm duvet and flannel sheets.

Simple habits that make an NZ winter easier

Straight from Healthify's list, with a little "mum translation":

• Open curtains in the morning, close them before sunset. Free heat from the sun, kept in at night.
• Heat the room you're in, and shut the doors. Gather the family in one warm living space in the evening.
• Ventilate a little, even in winter. Run the extractor fan when you cook and shower. Damp air feels colder and feeds mould.
• Dry washing outside when you can.
• Use your heat pump's thermostat rather than blasting it on and off.

FAQ

When is winter in New Zealand?

Winter runs roughly June to August, the opposite of the US. If you arrive in June, you'll go from summer straight into winter.

Why are New Zealand houses so cold?

Many homes are damp and not well heated, and heating is often done room by room rather than through central systems. Healthify notes that many NZ homes are damp, cold and unhealthy. Rentals now have to meet healthy homes standards for heating and insulation.

Can I bring my electric blanket from the US?

It's not a good idea. NZ power is typically 230V/50Hz, and WorkSafe warns that appliances not made for it can be dangerous, and that transformers aren't a safe workaround. Buy a local one.

Does my rental have to have a heater?

Under the healthy homes heating standard, rentals need one or more fixed heaters that directly heat the main living room. Open fires and unflued heaters don't qualify. Check the Tenancy Services page for current details.

Is merino worth it?

For most families, yes. It's warm without bulk and comfortable to wear all day indoors. You can buy it in New Zealand too, so bring a starter set rather than a whole wardrobe.