Zone 10b Warmest
1.7°C to 4.4°C minimum
Auckland, Whangarei, Wellington, Tauranga coast
Very mild frosts only. Subtropical fruits, citrus, avocado outdoors. Shortest frost season (65–152 days).
05 — NZ Climate Reference
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NZ Climate zone guide
USDA-equivalent hardiness zones for New Zealand cities, with frost season dates and regional groupings. Aotearoa spans five zones only — from 8b (alpine) to 10b (warmest coast). Zone data draws on NIWA climate records, regional frost statistics, and USDA hardiness mapping adapted for NZ conditions.
Find plants for your region
Pick your city below, then open the plant directory pre-filtered for your hardiness zone and typical climate.
Zone descriptions
The five USDA-equivalent zones found in New Zealand — warmest (north & coast) to coldest (inland south & alpine).
Zone 10a
-1.1°C to 1.7°C minimum
Hamilton, Napier, Gisborne, Tauranga inland
Light frosts. Full temperate fruit range. Feijoa, tamarillo, persimmon reliable. Most NZ growing regions.
Zone 9b
-3.9°C to -1.1°C minimum
Rotorua, Palmerston North, Feilding
Moderate frosts. Temperate fruits excellent. Subtropical fruits need shelter or protection. Good apple, pear, plum region.
Zone 9a
-6.7°C to -3.9°C minimum
Christchurch, Invercargill, Rangiora
Regular hard frosts. Best cold-climate fruit (apples, pears, cherries, plums). Citrus needs polytunnel.
Zone 8b Coldest
-9.4°C to -6.7°C minimum
Queenstown, alpine areas
Severe frosts. Hardy stone and pip fruits. Long cold winters improve apple flavour and chilling hours. Most subtropical fruits not viable.
40 cities
| City | Zone | Min Temp (°C) | Region | Frost Start | Frost End | Frost Season | Plants |
|---|
Warmth symbols
★Warm sheltered microclimate
★★Very warm sheltered microclimate
★★★Conservatory / glasshouse
PTPolytunnel recommended in NZ
FFFood forest / syntropic system
Climate zones
Temperate NZ-wide open orchard
Subtropical Northland / warm microclimates
Tropical Polytunnel / conservatory in most NZ