When it comes to gardening advice, you’ll often see references to hardiness zones (especially in every american youtube video!).
These zones are based on minimum winter temperatures, for instance your area gets as low as -3degress, and are widely used in North America and Europe to guide what plants can survive the winter in different locations.
But here in New Zealand, hardiness zones don’t tell us much at all.
Our climate is unique, and successful gardening relies on more than just knowing how cold it gets in winter. To really understand your garden, it pays to look at a broader set of conditions.
Why Hardiness Zones Don’t Quite Work in NZ
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Narrow range of temperatures: Unlike continents with extreme climates, NZ has relatively mild winters and less extreme heat in the summer. Our hardiness zones don’t vary as widely, so they’re less useful for plant selection.
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Microclimates: A sheltered Levin backyard can be several degrees warmer than an exposed hilltop in Wellington, even though they’re only an hour apart. Zones can’t capture those differences.
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Other limiting factors: Plants here often struggle more with wind, humidity, or soil type than with extreme lows in temperature.
Instead of focusing on a number, Kiwi gardeners are better off learning how local conditions shape their gardens day to day.
Key Climate Considerations for NZ Gardeners
Wind
New Zealand is famously windy! Strong winds dry out soil, damage tender plants, and even stunt growth. Think about wind protection; hedges, shelter belts, or even temporary windbreak cloth can make a huge difference.
Daylight Hours
Our long summer days (especially down south) mean some plants thrive here better than they do overseas. But it also means some cool-season crops (like lettuce or spinach) bolt to seed faster unless provided with adequate shade.
ShadeMap.app is an incredible tool for identifying daylight hours in all areas of your property, at any time of day or year! It uses Satellite data to track sunlight - and its probably one of the coolest things ever!
Rainfall & Water Availability
Rainfall patterns vary HUGELY - West Coast gardens may be soggy year-round, while parts of Canterbury are often dry.
Good drainage is as important as regular watering. In drier regions, mulching and water-saving is essential.
High Temperatures
We rarely see extreme summer heat compared to Australia or the US, but some regions (like inland Canterbury or Hawke’s Bay) can get hot enough to stress cool-loving plants. Shade cloth and strategic planting are super important.
Humidity
Northland and Auckland gardens can be lush and subtropical, but humidity also encourages fungal diseases like powdery mildew and rust. Good airflow and resistant plant varieties help ensure you're succesful.
Soil Type
While not strictly “climate,” soil makes a huge difference. Free-draining sandy soils dry out quickly, while clay holds water but can suffocate roots. Amending soil with compost and organic matter helps balance both extremes.
OK thanks but WHAT ZONE AM I?!
It doesn't matter. ALL plants are typically perennial across ALL of NZ.
Instead of asking “What zone am I in?”, ask:
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How much wind exposure does my garden get?
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What’s my average rainfall and drainage like?
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Do I need to manage humidity or protect against dry heat?
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How do my daylight hours affect seasonal planting?
When you understand these factors, you’ll be able to choose plants that truly thrive in your space — whether it’s a subtropical corner in Northland, a frosty Canterbury garden, or a breezy Wellington hillside.
Still confused?
Gardening in New Zealand isn’t about fitting into someone else’s hardiness zone.
It’s about observing, adapting, and working with your local conditions. No amount of reading can teach you about the conditions in your own back yard. Once you slow down and watch, you’ll find which plants flourish and you’ll enjoy gardening with a whole new level of confidence.
Stop and smell the roses and all that.