New Zealand may not be on a lot of people’s radars, but it should be. If you love the outdoors, New Zealand is a paradise for adventure lovers! From the gorgeous snow capped mountains and beautiful fjords of the South Island to the endless empty beaches of the North Island, New Zealand’s diverse landscapes provide for stunning elopement backdrops! 

Let’s dive into:

• Travel Tips for New Zealand
• How to Elope in New Zealand
• The Best Places to Elope in New Zealand
• The Best Time of Year to Plan your New Zealand Elopement
• Things to Do and See in New Zealand

New Zealand Overview

• New Zealand is also known as Aotearoa, the Māori name for the land meaning – Land of the Long White Cloud.
• New Zealand is actually two separate islands– the North Island and the South Island. 
• The main airport on the north island is Auckland (AKL), with the main airport on the south island belonging to Queenstown (ZQN).

• The south island is very majestic in terms of scenery, with snowy mountains you won’t find on the north island. For slightly warmer temps and tropical vibes, the north island is your best bet.
• New Zealand has a rich indigenous presence with the Māori people. It is important to be aware that this isn’t just a history of indigenous culture but rather, a present, living, breathing culture in New Zealand today! There are many opportunities to learn more about Maori culture and language (​​Te Reo Maori) while in New Zealand. 
• New Zealand is below the equator, meaning their seasons are opposite from the Northern Hemisphere. It’s also closer to Antarctica than you might think which means the south island can get pretty cold.

New Zealand Travel Tips

• WHICH AIRPORT SHOULD I FLY INTO? It’s usually cheaper to fly into Auckland, where you can catch regional flights through Air New Zealand to the south island. However, if you are flying in from the East Coast of the United States, it might be worth the extra penny to reduce your flight time and fly directly to the south island!
• WHAT’S THE WEATHER LIKE? Be prepared and flexible for weather changes: anything from rain, to windy conditions, to it being colder than you might expect. Pack for all weather!
• CAN I SEE THE NORTH AND SOUTH ISLAND? If you are wanting to visit both islands, many people like to do road trips. You can rent a car and take a ferry between the North and South Islands.  One of my favorite budget-friendly ways to travel in New Zealand is by relocating car or vans for rental companies! Use TransferCar or imoova to find a car or van that aligns with your trip dates!
• You can also rent a camper van (which is very popular to do in New Zealand!)

• HOW LONG SHOULD I VISIT NEW ZEALAND? I’d recommend 2-3 weeks if possible, to really soak in the culture and incredible landscapes. Try to do both islands if you can!
• IS THERE A GOOD LAYOVER LOCATION WHEN TRAVELING TO NEW ZEALAND? If you want to break up your trip, Hawaii can be the perfect location to layover for a week or two! There is only a 1 hour time difference between New Zealand and Hawaii so it makes the perfect location to adjust to the time difference. When you are ready to head to New Zealand, it is an easy 8 hour direct flight to Auckland from Honolulu with Hawaiian Airlines.

 

How to Elope in New Zealand

Making your marriage legal in New Zealand is a big part of planning your NZ elopement! Luckily, you don’t have to be a New Zealand citizen to get married here, and same-sex marriages are legal! First, you’ll want to apply for a marriage license online for $150. You can apply for your marriage license up to three months before your elopement in New Zealand. When you fill out the form, only one of you needs to apply, but you will need information about both of you!

After you have signed your form, you can pay the fee, and next, you will need to find a celebrant (officiant) to perform your ceremony. To legalize your New Zealand elopement, you’ll also need two witnesses in addition to your marriage license. 

If you don’t want to deal with paperwork during your trip to New Zealand, you can always make your New Zealand elopement a symbolic one! Simply take care of your paperwork in your home state, and use your NZ vacation to have a symbolic elopement ceremony! But where should you elope in New Zealand?

When Should I Elope in New Zealand

New Zealand shines at any time of year, so deciding when you’d like to have your New Zealand elopement will depend on a few things! You’ll want to take these deets into consideration when planning your adventurous NZ elopement.

New Zealand is in the Southern Hemisphere, so their seasons are opposite of the United States and Canada.

WINTER // Dreaming of a winter wonderland wedding in New Zealand? Eloping in the winter in New Zealand means June, July, and August. New Zealand winter temperatures average from 50 – 61 degrees. During this time of year, the south island experiences more snow than the north, which gets a lot of rain.

If you love snow activities or are an avid skier, Queenstown could be the perfect place for your winter elopement! BONUS….Winter in New Zealand also means the fewest tourists, so if you want to avoid the crowds, eloping during the wintertime in New Zealand may be for you. Just remember that some popular trails may not be accessible during this time of year.

SPRING // Spring in New Zealand is a wonderful time for eloping, and for good reason! You can expect temperatures ranging from 55 – 70 degrees during the springtime months of September, October, and November. This is when you can expect stunning colors and flower blooms as the backdrop for your elopement in New Zealand. It can be windy during the spring, but I love a good dress shot with some epic movement! Outdoor activities also begin to become plentiful again after the winter. Experience the best of both winter vibes and summer energy during the spring in New Zealand.

SUMMER // What about summer in New Zealand? Summer in New Zealand is the northern hemisphere’s winter, which can mean a welcome break from cold temps if that’s what you’re used to. In fact, think temperatures ranging from 68 – 80 degrees in the summertime. Summer in New Zealand is a popular time to visit, so keep in mind that some areas may be more crowded with tourists. Pretty much everything on the New Zealand islands is accessible during the summer months of December, January, and February. By February most locals will have concluded their holiday and be back to work so you may find it easier to book accommodations. 

AUTUMN // Last but definitely not least, we arrive at fall/autumn in New Zealand. Much like springtime, fall in New Zealand brings about mild temperatures and a good mix of weather. In March, April, and May, temperatures are around 62 to 70 degrees. The leaves here change into gorgeous colors, and hiking in New Zealand during early fall is something that can’t be missed. The summer crowds also begin to thin out, making an autumn elopement in New Zealand more intimate.

Where to Elope in New Zealand

Both the north and south islands of New Zealand are home to many gorgeous places that are worth visiting, and places that could be the perfect backdrop for your NZ elopement!

Do you gravitate more towards epic mountain landscapes, and rugged geography? If so, you may want to consider eloping on the south island of New Zealand. If you are looking for coastline’s with rolling hills or empty beaches reminiscent of the United States Pacific Northwest, New Zealand’s north island may be the perfect place to elope.

Starting with the North Island, if you want to stay close to Auckland, Piha Beach is an incredible location! With its towering cliffs, darker black sand, and surfers in the distance, it offers incredible beauty not too far away from the city. If you head north of the city, another stunning location is Tawharanui Regional Park with it’s pristine blue water, and lush rolling hills on either side of this white sand beach. 

As we continue north, you’ll enter a region of New Zealand called Northland. One of the most unique coastal locations here is Cape Reinga. This Cape is where the Tasman sea and Pacific Ocean meet at the Northernmost point in New Zealand. Here you can take a hike on the Cape Reinga Coastal Walkway and escape to one of the most remote beaches in New Zealand, 90 Mile Beach. Lastly, in the Northland of New Zealand you’ll also find Whangarei heads**. Here you’ll find beautiful coastal and harbor beaches, and you can explore volcanic peaks and lush forests with many hiking trails. 

**FUN FACT: “Wh” in te reo Māori (Māori Language) is pronounced “f” so as you are driving around New Zealand practice pronouncing towns like the locals do!

Heading south of Auckland, you’ll find The Coromandel which has some incredible beaches and landscape features including Cathedral Cove and Stingray Bay. Even further south, you’ll find Bay of Islands which has incredible coastline locations such as Waihi Beach and Papamoa Beach. 

Heading to the South Island, Abel Tasman National Park is one of my favorite places in New Zealand, especially for elopements. There are a ton of gorgeous elopement spots in this national park – located on the south island. And the best part you can choose to kayak, or hike or both to enjoy all this park has to offer. 

Helicopters are popular for elopements in New Zealand, and heading to Fox Glacier is an elopement dream! This incredible glacier is over 13km long and can be an otherworldly backdrop for your elopement.

Milford Sound is iconic, with it’s incredible fjords! The rainy weather here provides a setting for the perfect, moody elopement, photos. To take advantage of the incredible views, a boat elopement in Milford Sound is a good choice, or even eloping on one of the many trails in the area!

Eloping on Hooker Valley Track at Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park means enjoying some of the snow capped peaks you can see, even in the middle of summer! 

Hokitika Gorge Scenic Reserve offers breathtaking blue water and forested rocks. The Hokitika Gorge Walk is only about a half hour – the perfect hike to do in your wedding dress!

If you want privacy, there are a lot of ways to find it in NZ, especially if you want something simple! I would love to be able to help you find the perfect elopement place in New Zealand.

Things to Do and See in New Zealand

While you are visiting New Zealand for your elopement, there are definitely some things that should be on your to-do and to-see list!

NORTH ISLAND

• Visit Hobbiton, made famous by Lord of the Rings.
• Check out Hot Water Beach! This beach lies above a hot spring which results in heated sand and water. Bring a shovel or rent one and dig through the sand to create your own personal hot spring on the beach!
• Think redwoods are only in California? Think again! Check out the redwoods at Whakarewarewa Forest. My favorite way to see this forest is literally by walking up and throughout the trees on a self-guided suspension bridge tour.

• Waitomo Caves on the north island are definitely worth a stop if you’re in the area. These glow worm caves are extensive and can be explored by guided tour!
• The Coromandel and Te Whanganui-A-Hei (Cathedral Cove) Marine Reserve contain a ton of gorgeous photo ops, which you can even include during your adventure elopement! One of my favorite hikes here is called the Pinnacles! Incredible views and there is even a hut when you reach the summit where you can camp overnight!
• Explore the amazing coastlines surrounding Gisborne and glamp at the oceanfront tiny homes at Tatapouri Bay!
• Observe and honor traditional Maori culture by visiting the Tamaki Family Marae. For more ideas on how to gain knowledge of Maori culture and heritage, check out these activities.

SOUTH ISLAND

• See the lovely lupins near Lake Tekapo. The lupins bloom from mid-November through January.
• Fiordland National Park boasts the world-famous Routeburn Track, which is a point-to-point hiking and backpacking trail that is about 20 miles long.
• Enjoy one of the many treks in Mt. Aspiring National Park. 
• Explore Lake Wanaka on the south island for kayaking and other water sport activities. Wanka is a little more quaint than Queenstown if you want somewhere to stay with a slower pace but still be close enough to all Queenstown has to offer. 
• Explore Queenstown and take a Jet Boat ride or push your limits with Kawarau Bridge Bungy Jump! 
• Take the Queenstown Gondola up 450 meters up to Bob’s Peak!
• Relax at Onsen Hot Pools where you can take in views of the Shotover River while enjoying one 14 cedar-lined hot pools the spa has to offer!
• Hike the popular, Roy’s Peak Track, and get some incredible views from the summit! 
• See the fascinating glowworms of the ​​Te Anau Caves! 
• Take advantage of kayaking tours and hiking near Nelson, especially if you are eloping in Abel Tasman National Park!

NEW ZEALAND MUST DO’S

• A total must to do? Snag a meat pie from a local gas station or convenience shop. This traditional New Zealand snack comes in a variety of flavors, perfect to pair with French fries (AKA “chips” in New Zealand).
• Another traditional NZ activity is attending a rugby game! Rugby games are exciting to watch and get in the spirit of. If you can, try to see an All Blacks game!
• Camper vans are a great way to see the sights of New Zealand. Many people like to practice responsible freedom camping at over 500 locations scattered around the islands of New Zealand.

Summary

New Zealand has so much to offer for being a country of 103,483 mi². This beautiful place can be your one-stop-shop when it comes to planning your elopement. Elope amongst the snowy peaks during New Zealand’s winter, or have a tropical elopement on the beach during the summer. Take advantage of fun watersports on the lakes, and go backpacking, hiking, and camping in New Zealand’s stunning national parks. Don’t forget to have some uniquely New Zealand experiences when you’re here for your elopement: meat pies and a rugby game, anyone? New Zealand has some adventures that you won’t find anywhere on earth: glowworm tours and bungy jumps that set the stage for a perfect honeymoon after your elopement.

Chat with Your New Zealand Elopement Photographer

Dreaming about eloping on New Zealand’s north or south island? Let’s chat! I am here to help you determine the best time of year to elope in New Zealand, things to do on the islands, where to elope in New Zealand, and your biggest cheerleader when it comes to having the best day ever!