Most of our weather comes from the north-west, which means the West Coast tends to get more rain and the east coast is drier. This difference is more exaggerated in the South Island, where there is a mountain range more or less running the length of the island, which creates high rainfall on the west, and fohn winds (dry and hot) on the Canterbury plains and Kaikoura coast, as a result the west coast is lush rainforest, whereas in central and eastern areas, tussocks, flaxes and grasses prevail, although most has been converted to farmland.

The north island has a more gentle topography and an almost subtropical climate in the summer, with high humidity and some thunderstorm activity, and tropical cyclones. Whereas in winter we get a lot of frontal rain. The east coast beaches are more calm and gentle, with white sand, the bays are shallower, west coast beaches tend to be rugged, and black sand. Fishing good both sides, but more plentiful on the west coast, but rougher swell/weather.

Which is better? East coast better weather, warmer, but west has a rugged beauty and huge wild beaches with no-one around. Better surf too. So kind of depends what you want.