Is Summer Arriving Early in 2025? Sensing Early Summer in New Zealand This November
With only about two months left in the year, November has arrived in the blink of an eye.
Like Japan, New Zealand has four seasons, with spring typically spanning from September to November.
However, now that November 2024 has begun, I can really feel that summer is arriving early this year.
On sunny days, the midday sun feels quite intense and even a quick step outside makes my skin feel like it’s sizzling!
In Hamilton, on New Zealand's North Island where I live - the sun finally sets around 8 PM these days, and the sky fades into beautiful shades of pink and purple.
Since summer is my favorite season in New Zealand, I’m already looking forward to the refreshing, beautiful days that the southern hemisphere brings from December to February—just as my home country of Japan in the northern hemisphere enters winter.
Driving to Tauranga, New Zealand’s Beautiful Coastal City in the Bay of Plenty
This past weekend, we drove to Tauranga, about an hour and a half from Hamilton.
The last time we visited was around January 2020, just before COVID hit so it’s been about three to four years!
I left home around 9:30 a.m. The route from Hamilton to Tauranga crosses several mountains, making for a road full of hills and winding curves.
But with New Zealand’s vast natural landscapes, endless blue skies and the occasional sightings of sheep and cows, the drive itself was already exciting.
New Zealand Toll Roads Around Tauranga
Around Tauranga, there are toll roads that allow for a slight shortcut compared to the free routes.
This time, we took the toll roads for the first time to enter Tauranga.
The toll locations are marked on Google Maps, and there are signboards like the one in the photo, reminding drivers about the upcoming toll section.
In New Zealand, standard road signs are typically white on a blue background. But for toll roads, the text is yellow on a blue background so it makes them easy to recognize.
The toll fees based on the vehicle size and location, so I recommend checking the official NZTA website in advance.
NZTA: Tolls and fees At the entrances to toll roads, there are unmanned cameras that capture vehicle license plates for toll recording.
If you have an account, you can pay in advance.
If not, you need to pay online within five business days after passing the toll point. We were charged $4.20 this time.
Tauranga – A Charming Coastal City with Stylish Cafés and Beaches in New Zealand
We arrived in central Tauranga a little after 11 a.m.
However, finding parking near the beach and Mount Maunganui, our main destination was challenging.
The streets were full of roadside-parked cars, and almost no parking spots were available :(
After circling about three times, we finally secured a public parking spot in a residential area.
The main beach area roads aren’t particularly wide, so if you're planning to visit by car, it’s best to arrive by 9-10 a.m. to increase your chances of finding parking.
While you often see large tour buses and group tourists in places like Hamilton or Rotorua, Tauranga doesn’t seem to have a big group of tourists yet —perhaps due to the limited parking near these scenic coastal spots.
Although it’s still November, technically early summer (or perhaps late spring?), there were plenty of locals already enjoying the beach in swimsuits.
However, I noticed that not many people were actually swimming.
The water temperature was about 17 degrees, so it might still be a bit too early for swimming.
Since our main goal this time was Mount Maunganui, we enjoyed the view of the deep blue sea as we headed straight for the mountain.
Hike up to Mount Maunganui: Must-Visit Scenic Photography Spots
Mt. Maunganui is a mountain with an elevation of about 232 meters, located at the end of the beach in Tauranga.
I wore sneakers, a short-sleeved T-shirt, and shorts but I saw people in various attire, from those dressed in sporty running wear.
There were tourists in comfortable walking shoes and stylish outfits, and even a powerful mom hiking with her baby strapped to her back!
Everyone was dressed pretty casually.
However, the trail to the summit is quite steep and has many gravel paths.
There aren’t many guardrails, so I had to watch my step as I went along (although I did slip a few times ( ﾟДﾟ)).
It doesn’t take long after starting the climb to see stunning New Zealand scenery!
With perfect weather and the dry warmth of early summer, we set off toward the open, panoramic views at the summit.
This is the one of New Zealand’s most beautiful places!
Just beside the trail, the brilliant blue sea and white beach stretched out, offering a uniquely breathtaking experience of ocean, sky, and mountains all at once—a hallmark of New Zealand’s scenic wonders and a must-visit spot.
Along the way, we encountered buildings adorned with bold, Maori-style wall art, showcasing New Zealand’s distinctive and powerful artistry.
Journey to the Summit of Mount Maunganui: A Must-See Beautiful spot in New Zealand
There are several paths to reach the summit of Mount Maunganui, each encircling the mountain in a series of color-coded routes.
We chose the blue trail for the ascent. Although this route is slightly longer and a bit of a detour, it has fewer stairs.
Working remotely from home most days, I was aware my stamina had dropped, but I hadn’t quite anticipated how challenging Mount Maunganui would feel after some time away!
At times, I almost considered turning back, but with short breaks in the shade and the occasional bench along the way, we finally made it to the summit!
At the summit of Mount Maunganui, this trail opens up to breathtaking views with the sea and sky stretching out on both sides.
It’s a 360-degree panorama of New Zealand’s natural beauty, with a refreshing breeze to top it off!
We were lucky enough to spot someone paragliding up there!
Watching them drift freely, enjoying the sky and wind up close—it looked incredibly cool and so much fun.
Tauranga itself is a long, narrow city with deep blue sea and sky stretching out on both sides.
It’s amazing to think of enjoying such a spectacular New Zealand view from the sky!
Discover One of the New Zealand’s Most Beautiful Place – Views from Mount Maunganui
The sky feels vast, with clouds drifting by so close, adding to the grandeur of New Zealand’s beautiful natural landscape.
Standing here, I feel a deep sense of accomplishment—it was definitely worth the climb.
If you want to enjoy Mount Maunganui, this early summer season is probably best, as it can get too hot in the peak of summer. (We went in January once, and all I remember was sweating buckets…)
Sea, mountains and sheep—a landscape full of New Zealand’s stunning beauty and nature
To come down from a mountain, we took a different route.
I forgot which color path it was, but it was a shorter one with a lot of stairs to make up for the distance.
I thought going down might be easier, but those stairs really put a strain on my knees.
With the steep slopes, my legs were shaking by the time I got to the bottom!
There was a section that felt like a little forest, so we enjoyed the cool shade as we made our way down safely.
The ascent offered mostly open spaces with sweeping ocean views, but the way down felt even more like a true New Zealand experience.
That’s because on Mount Maunganui, sheep are freely grazing, and you can see them right along the mountain path.
When you think of New Zealand, you think of sheep!
Sheep lying peacefully on the mountainside with the blue ocean in the background—it doesn’t get more "New Zealand" than that, does it?
I heard that lambing season in New Zealand is from late July to September, but here in Mount Maunganui in November, there were still some small, lamb-like young ones mixed in, which was adorable.
Some of the sheep even came quite close, as if they were used to people. (But ofcourse, keep a distance with sheeps and let them go, do not touch)
Tiaki Promise - A commitment to coexist with and protect New Zealand’s beautiful nature
The Tiaki Promise is a set of three principles that both residents and visitors are encouraged to uphold, viewing New Zealand as tāonga (a treasure) to be cherished. Here are the three core promises:
CARE FOR LAND, SEA AND NATURE, TREADING LIGHTLY AND LEAVING NO TRACE
TRAVEL SAFELY, SHOWING CARE AND CONSIDERATION FOR ALL
RESPECT CULTURE, TRAVELLING WITH AN OPEN HEART AND MIND
By honoring the Tiaki Promise, travelers help protect New Zealand’s stunning nature, diverse wildlife and the communities that live here.
The first promise, "Care for land, sea, and nature, treading lightly and leaving no trace," is especially simple yet powerful, capturing a clear commitment to protecting the environment.
New Zealand’s awe-inspiring landscapes move the heart.
Visiting this beautiful country with a mindset of “treading lightly” makes for a deeper, more memorable experience, and the idea of “leaving no trace” reflects a profound respect for nature.
When each of us takes care to coexist with nature, New Zealand’s scenic beautiful nature will be preserved for generations to come.
You can find the full Tiaki Promise on the official website—definitely worth a look before your trip to New Zealand!！
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