New Zealand has voted its favourite sound of summer
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A Stuff sponsored content production with Triton Hearing
From rustling pōhutukawa to the roar of cicadas, this is the soundtrack of a Kiwi summer
Summer in Aotearoa doesn’t just arrive, it announces itself. Sometimes it’s loud, sometimes barely there, but the moment you hear it, you know. Thousands of New Zealanders have voted the sounds that instantly transport them to beaches, backyards, campgrounds and long evenings with whānau.
Here is New Zealand’s countdown of the Top 10 Sounds of Summer, brought to life through the voices of the Kiwis who voted.
10. Pōhutukawa leaves moving in the breeze
For some, summer begins quietly.
The soft rustle of pōhutukawa leaves is a coastal sound that signals stillness - the pause before the day really begins.
Listen: pōhutukawa leaves in the breeze
18 seconds
“Hearing the sounds of Aotearoa native flora & fauna, of Tui feeding on harakeke as pohutukawa leaves swing with their flowers reminding us of their place and presence”
- Mark Nicholas
9. A lawn sprinkler ticking on a hot afternoon
A suburban classic.
The rhythmic click of a sprinkler is as much about relief as it is routine - grass growing, kids playing, heat lingering.
Listen: sprinkler in the summer
18 seconds
"Memories of summer heat as children running through the sprinkles laughing with excitement, now as an adult a job well done in the garden and a cold wine for all my efforts, and this surprisingly relaxing sound- the simple lawn sprinkler."
- Kirsten Munro
8. A tent zip opening at dawn
Campgrounds woke early in this countdown.
That brief metallic rasp signals freedom, fresh air, and the promise of a full summer day ahead.
Listen: unzipping a tent
18 seconds
"It reminds me of childhood summers spent camping with family, fishing, searching the rock pools, sand in your tent, singing songs accompanied by the guitar, bbqs, sunscreen and hats a necessity, just pure happiness and bliss."
- Katrina Brown
7. A neighbour mowing the lawn
Not glamorous - but unmistakable.
The hum of a mower drifting over fences marks weekends, warm weather, and familiar neighbourhood rhythms.
Listen: neighbour mowing the lawn
27 seconds
"Waking to the sound of the lawns being mowed and the smell of freshly cut grass makes me think of sun, holidays and time with the family"
- Jamie Lowe
6. Evening crickets as the air cools
As daylight fades, sound steps forward.
Evening crickets are the soundtrack to outdoor dinners, bare feet on decking, and conversations that stretch long after sunset.
Listen: crickets at night
20-plus seconds
"It means the end of a hot day and a cool breeze when the sun starts to set and a relieving coolness starts to set in."
- Matthew Game-Ricketts
5. A classic Kiwi summer playlist
Music mattered - a lot - in this countdown.
Whether played through car speakers or backyard Bluetooth systems, music was a powerful trigger of summer memory, for many Kiwis.
Listen: summery music
One minute-plus
"I love chilling out on a summers day with a cold one listening to some loud awesome Kiwi music ahhhh bliss 🍺 🎶"
- Trevor Nixon
4. A backyard BBQ sizzling
The smell might arrive first - but the sound seals it.
The crackle of food on a hot plate is tied to togetherness - and the anticipation of sitting down together.
Listen: barbecue sizzling
13 seconds
"It's the sound of whanau and friends getting together to celebrate the holidays, sharing good food and create lasting memories"
- Henare Howard
3. A tūī calling at dusk
Distinct, musical, and deeply local.
This sound ranked high for its emotional pull - a reminder of nature woven into daily summer life.
Listen: tui birdsong
53 seconds
"The beauty of this native bird singing at the top of its voice brings a soothing calm and much happiness."
- Adrian
2. Waves rolling onto a surf beach
Almost the favourite.
The steady hush and crash of surf evokes holidays, salt air, and time moving more slowly.
Listen: waves on the beach
7 seconds
"The water crashing against the shore reminds me of all the beach days with my family. The breathtaking cold of the water on a west coast beach, the excited barks of dogs chasing the sticks thrown into the water, the driftwood castles."
- Hilary Ackroyd
1. Cicadas humming in the heat
The clear winner, with just over one in five votes.
The constant, vibrating chorus of cicadas defines the hottest days of the year - so present that when it fades, summer feels like it’s slipping away.
Listen: cicadas in chorus
36 seconds
"The sound of cicadas humming evokes feelings of childhood where the warm summer sun dries the salt water to a crust on your skin. You lie on your towel knowing there's no work for a couple of weeks and you listen to that familiar humming sound that reminds you your in the best place in the world, Aotearoa, New Zealand. Ahhh."
- Jodi Czepanski
Take the quiz
What if you stopped hearing it all?
Across thousands of submissions from Kiwis in our poll, a quieter theme emerged - people noticing how much sound matters.
Hearing loss doesn’t only affect older people, and it often happens gradually. Subtle sounds - cicadas, birdsong, conversation in busy places - are often the first to feel different. Many people also assume hearing checks are expensive or complicated, which isn’t the case.
That’s why Triton Hearing is encouraging New Zealanders to check in on their hearing health this summer. A free online hearing check at tritonhearing.co.nz takes just minutes, and free in-clinic checks are available nationwide.
Because summer isn’t just something you see - it’s something you hear.
Discover more at tritonhearing.co.nz
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