Best time of the year for New Zeland

What is the best time of the year to tour New Zealand for 3 weeks?
Looking for a compromise between weather and minimizing crowded conditions.
I plan on touring both the North and South Islands by car.
I was thinking of February?

February is of course peak season, with good reason - the weather is as settled as it ever gets in NZ. March is equally good imo. Most tourist ventures operate at high season timetables until Easter or end of April.

Most of the "must-see/do" things in the SI unfortunately are outdoors but the mountains do look better with fresh snow on them. You will need to have a day in hand if crossing any of the alpine passes "just-in-case". (Easy enough to plan for a free day in Chch at the end). With such a short stay aim for a short circuit such as Chch - glaciers - Wanaka - Queenstown -
Dunedin - Chch. Thus could be done in 7 days, but remember that skiers will create peak season for accommodation in both Wanaka & Queenstown and that daylight hours will be short for driving.

Vicki (in 30C Chch)