Auckland in Early October

I'm not a kiwi, but a fellow United Statesian. We went to New Zealand
(both islands) in August of 2000. Middle of winter. The weather was
glorious. Quite cold at night (and most places didn't have regular
indoor heat), but cool and nice during the day. Don't let the cooler
temperatures keep you from going. You can save a bunch by going in the
off season. Unless you want an activity that requires warm weather, go
for October. We even wet zorbed in August (they used warm water).

Have fun! It's such an amazing country. I can't wait to go again.

Jenny

Citizen Ted wrote:
I'm seeing some nice airfare for late SEP early OCT from SFO to AKL.
I've never been to NZ, but I'm running out of abbreviations and will
now have to reboot myself...wait for it...ahhhh.

OK. Well, I live in the Pacific Northwestiest of the Pacific
Northwestern United States. I am no stranger to coolness and
dampness.
Fact is, I love it (to an extent). I could surely survive some cool,
damp weather should I travel to New Zealand. I've checked the online
climate maps, found median and mean seasonal temperatures, and even
googled this newsgroup on the subject (there was an awful lot of
weather bitching from the Aucklanders...what gives?)

But I would sure like to hear from some bona fide Kiwis how early
October looks and feels to them. My travel will include Auckland and
Christchurch and points inbetween, though I will probably bag a
planned ascent of Mt. Aspiring, as the weather will likely be
dangerous and the approach unapproachable.

What say you, Kiwis? Is early October a good time to travel, or
should
I pony up the dough and fly in February?

- TR
- not your typical American (I don't own any khaki shorts or white
running shoes).