Places to visit and things to do in New Zealand in December?

There is heaps to do in New Zealand in December. Just remember most places close on Christmas Day, New Years Day and the day after that. Some places close on Boxing day too.

It all depends on where you are and what you want to see. December is the beginning of our summer so temperatures are about 25degreesC/70degreesF.

The beach is always popular, but remember to slip, slop, slap and wrap and swim between the flags =]

BBQs are popular too. Remember to keep your raw meats cold and away from salads. Beach cricket and beach volley ball are fun too.

If you check out the websites below or add some extra details and tell us your ages, what you're interested in and where you're going be, that would be a lot of help =]

http://www.tourism.net.nz/

http://www.newzealand.com/

EDIT- PARADISE- Shut up, she can listen to who she wants. You will not be arrested for having a manageable gas BBQ on legs.
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Celebrate Christmas on the 25th. BBQ's outside, go to the beach, have a picnic.

Edit - PARADISE, be quiet we have as much of a right to be here as you do.

Don't listen to those other two contributors.

usually in December and summer there is a fire ban and you will be arrested if you have a bbq and burn the native forest!

Check out Kaikoura for whale watching. Queenstown is good for skiing in the winter and nice to visit in December/summer for the scenary.

Further north you have Wellington - the capital city. Wellington is great on a Friday or Saturday for a night out of drinking.

Keep going north and you have Taupo, then Rotorua famous for its mud. Auckland for its yachts and extinct volcanoes. And further north more water and boats in the Bay of Islands.

Try a search on youtube if you are interested in anything else, for example Lord of the Rings film sites.

Enjoy New Zealand!

Yes you do have to be careful of fire bans, but we still have bbq's on christmas day....mmmm
A lot of people go camping around New Year, so you might find things a bit tight if you want to do that.

It depends on where you are going as there are lots of things in different places.....eg queenstown will have lots on...lots of adventure stuff like paragliding, bungy jumping, jet boating and so on.
There are some stunning sights along the West Coast of the South Island.....I love that area....not so many people ( but lots of people visit it), lots of bush/forest, lakes, glaciers....love it!
I really only know the South Island, being a South Island girl, but I guess Auckland will always offer a lot being the largest centre in NZ......If you like touristy things then Queenstown and Rotorua along with Auckland and Christchurch are the main tourst places....
If you like beaches, well they are everywhere...Able Tasman has some great ones and there are a few around the Coromandel, Auckland areas that I know, but everywhere really has their own place to swim.

I guess you really have to know what you want to see. see the website below for some ideas

PARADISE, shut up. Fire bans do not usually affect suburban residential areas, total fire bans are rare in urban areas, and most total fire bans only ban the use of solid or liquid fuel in BBQs. Most BBQs use a covered gas flame, which does not constitute violation of fire ban. Get your facts straight. There are loads of places where you can legally have an outdoor BBQ in New Zealand during summer.

Go to Queenstown in South Island and do Sky Diving and White Water Rafting etc.

Go to Taupo and do Bungee Jumping and Fishing.

Go to Rotorua and watch some sheep show and visit Polynesian Hot Spring Spa.

Get totally wasted by NZ beers and wines.

You have received valuable pointers from those before me. I only need to add that Queentown at the bottom of South Island is a good adventure/tourist spot to visit if you can find the time. Since you are paying a lot of money to go to NZ it would be wise if you plan on a longer holiday to enable you to travel around. Summer is a good time to visit and you cant beat NZ esp South Island for its postcard scenery. Enjoy yourself.