As summer holidays wind up and we head back to work, the Mobile Relocation team is reflecting on what we take for granted about the lazy days of sunny weather - and how this might seem surprising or different to our expat and migrant clients relocating to New Zealand. We share some thoughts below about typical activities and our personal experiences of summer 2026:
Longer daylight hours shift daily routines, and much of the action takes place in the great outdoors:
Outdoor living. Meals are often eaten outside, from backyard barbecues to informal picnics. Evenings are longer and more social, with beach cricket and casual gatherings common.
Beach culture. Beaches are central to summer life. Swimming, surfing, sandcastles and fish and chips are everyday staples, often paired with a simple barbecue.
Road trips and local travel. Summer is the peak time for domestic travel. Many families use the break to explore coastal towns, walking tracks and regional food spots by car or campervan.
Camping and ‘bach’ stays. Staying at a bach (holiday home) or tenting is a familiar way to spend time near lakes, coastlines or national parks.
Seasonal events. The calendar fills with local events, from New Year celebrations and music festivals to surf club sports days and community gatherings.
Our Mobile advisors experience this season in different ways. Here is a snapshot from across the team.
Ursula, Tauranga
Each New Year we take our boat to the Mercury Islands off the Coromandel. Days are spent in clear-water bays around Great Mercury Island, paddle boarding, snorkelling, fishing and diving for crayfish. We head ashore for picnics, walks to waterfalls and hill climbs for views, with plenty of space for the dog. Evenings often mean rafting up with friends, barbecuing the day’s catch and watching the sunset.
Jane, Auckland
Every summer we return to Pauanui on the Coromandel Peninsula. It’s a wide white-sand beach with consistent surf. We swim, bike, golf and spend time with friends. A highlight is a picnic on Slipper Island, accessible only by boat.
Dee, Christchurch
We head to Albert Town near Wānaka, staying opposite the Clutha River. Swimming and fishing are part of daily life, alongside long walks, cycling and boating on Lake Wānaka with friends and family.
Rachelle, Christchurch
Summer plans depend on which of our eight children we are visiting across Christchurch, Auckland or Australia. When in Christchurch, we make the most of a quieter city: Sumner and Waimairi beaches, Riverside Market, Margaret Mahy Playground, Mona Vale and the Botanic Gardens. It’s also a good time to catch up with friends who stay in town.
Melissa, Auckland
We spend summer at our place near Tay Street Beach Café in Mount Maunganui. Mornings start with walks along the boardwalk toward the Mount for coffee, followed by surfing. Cricket at Bay Oval, evening climbs around the Mount and visits to the hot pools are regular features. We also head to Rotorua to walk in the Redwoods.
For many migrants and expats, summer is when everyday New Zealand routines are most visible. It is informal, local and strongly shaped by place.
Kia ora and welcome to New Zealand!
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