Going to NZ. How bad are the Mosquitos?

[harryonaspot]

We will be there all of Jan and Feb. Both islands. I would like to take a tarp and drop cloth rather than a tent to save weight and space. But don't want to be miserable and eaten alive. Any advice? Thanks, Harry

[THE LONG RANGER]

In my experiencing the mosquitoes are negligible.

But the SAND FLIES are beyond description. It's like poison ivy, except it comes from little, no-see-um types of things, that fly in from any size opening. For such a small little thing, their bites are tremendous.  There is no escape. The welts (and my scratching of them) from the bites bites became so infected the NZ doc prescribed antibiotics.

I would suggest some sort of bug-protection scheme.

I was touring in March-April. A bit worse on the South Island. Bad wherever its wet. That area is called, "All of New Zealand"

[Area54]

  Calling El Jefe...

Theres a product we use here called Bushmans, this stuff is the bomb for keeping biteys off you and your gear. Varying strengths, DEET based.

I've heard sandflies/midges are only an issue mainly around coastal or standing water areas, up in the mtns it's a bit different, then you gotta watch out for the Keas...

[cossrider]

Yip, more a problem around coast (especially Haast on West Coast SI) and some lakes etc... I did both the NZ brevet's in Jan / Feb and never used anything. It maybe different if only touring...

[ne14cycling]

I lived there for two years and never saw a mosquito.   Sand flys hang at the beaches.... 

I'll be back for the 2014 kiwi brevet, without a worry.