Packing for New Zealand/Aus winter

[habibihabibi]

Travelling to NZ in July via Asia and thinking ahead I'll be in Asia a month and then Aus/NZ for 3 weeks so need to take a selection of summer and winter gear.
Is it likely I'll need city clothes like dresses/heels for going out or is it casual everywhere like Canada ? Only been as far as Sydney before and it was quite smart on the dress front I thought.
We'll be in the cities mostly with possible ski trip but happy to hire rather than lug that kit.
I don't really do traveller clothes so capsule chic ideas welcome ?

What cities are you going to be in? There's a fairly big spread of weather/temperatures in NZ, depending on island and coast, so more info needed!

Auckland, wellington and Christchurch. I'm going for hols and work but creative industry so even here I'm not usually suited . What would work for work and ideas for evening /weekend appreciated.

I remember it being very wet in New Zealand when I lived there during one winter... rained all the bloody time!

Oh terrific rain..... that's one thing I hadn't factored. I'm not taking hunters !

I think jeans, nice boots, different kinds of tops is probably your best option. Layers are essential because NZ also gets four seasons in one day. Maybe a nice skirt or two.

Auckland will be either sunny and not too cold or wet and miserable. Wellington is likely to be windy, wet and miserable (although it has the occasional crisp day). Christchurch will be either crisp and cold, wet and miserable or 27 Celcius and sunny (if there's a norwester wind, not unusual in July).

even though it is winter, I hope you'll be seeing a bit of the outdoors and doing at least some short walks? Do pack something more practical than jeans, it matters in NZ.

I thought UK weather was changeable, we have nothing on NZ!

Oh gosh, jeans are my most practical clothing .What would you wear instead? leggings ?

Jeans are good. Take leggings and tracksuit bottoms too. Unless they don't belong in your wardrobe under any circumstances.

South Island - dress as if you were going to Scotland in the Scottish winter.

GrouchyKiwi - I love your username !

Take a light but wind proof jacket.

Honestly jeans will be fine for most things. I'd pack a dress or two and a pair of heels / wedges for nice dinners, but really it's very relaxed here.

In the cities, people wear jeans, heels and a nice top out to bars. Dressier for a top restaurant, but equally you can dress smart casual and you'll be fine.

Bring a coat and a pashmina or scarf. Further south than Auckland you'll probably want a hat and gloves too. A small fold up umbrella or a rain proof jacket will likely be useful.

I work in a creative industry too, and we dress down. My work uniform tends to be jeans and converse, but always have proper shoes for client meetings. Will bust out a dress too at times.

sorry, missed that you are working and also in the cities, so it sounds like you'll be all indoors or urban. Shame for NZ but needs must.

skiing needs the right specialised gear, NZ ski fields are not as luxurious as the European ones. If you are doing any walking please do wear the right gear. I realise you aren't doing a multi-day tramp but you can get rapidly hypothermic in jeans, cotton stuff and silly fashion clothes; I've seen people dressed like this in NZ summer on a walk and they were very unhappy. One pair of quick dry trousers, a fleece and a decent waterproof jacket would be really good. And entirely usable back in the UK.