Summer
Dec → Feb21 to 23°
nights 16 to 18°
- 13 rainy days · 111 mm
- 11.5 h of sun
- sea 22°
When is the best time to visit New Zealand?
- Jan23°recommended
- Feb23°recommended
- Mar21°recommended
- Apr20°fair
- May17°not recommended
- Jun16°not recommended
- Jul15°not recommended
- Aug15°not recommended
- Sep16°not recommended
- Oct17°fair
- Nov19°recommended
- Dec21°recommended
RecommendedFairNot recommended· afternoon temperature
The weather in New Zealand, month by month
The table of records, month by month
| Month | High | Low | Sunshine | Rainfall | Rainy days | Sea | Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 23° | 17° | 11.8 h | 108 mm | 12 d | 23° | ✓ |
| February | 23° | 18° | 10.8 h | 113 mm | 11 d | 22° | ✓ |
| March | 21° | 16° | 10.2 h | 82 mm | 11 d | 21° | ✓ |
| April | 20° | 15° | 9 h | 89 mm | 12 d | 19° | |
| May | 17° | 12° | 8 h | 102 mm | 14 d | 16° | |
| June | 16° | 11° | 7.2 h | 111 mm | 13 d | 15° | |
| July | 15° | 10° | 7.3 h | 127 mm | 12 d | 13° | |
| August | 15° | 9° | 8.3 h | 123 mm | 14 d | 13° | |
| September | 16° | 11° | 9.4 h | 106 mm | 15 d | 15° | |
| October | 17° | 12° | 10.1 h | 125 mm | 15 d | 16° | |
| November | 19° | 14° | 11.2 h | 132 mm | 17 d | 19° | ✓ |
| December | 21° | 16° | 11.9 h | 112 mm | 15 d | 21° | ✓ |
The four seasons in New Zealand, in figures
What the 2015-2024 records (Auckland) show, season by season, to compare at a glance instead of reading twelve rows of a table.
Autumn
Mar → May17 to 21°
nights 12 to 16°
- 12 rainy days · 91 mm
- 9.1 h of sun
- sea 19°
Winter
Jun → Aug15 to 16°
nights 9 to 11°
- 13 rainy days · 120 mm
- 7.6 h of sun
- sea 14°
Spring
Sep → Nov16 to 19°
nights 11 to 14°
- 16 rainy days · 121 mm
- 10.2 h of sun
- sea 17°
Book early for November to March
The timing is right, so it is right for everyone: in these months the best places to stay and the small-group tours go first. Here is where to start.
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Daylight in New Zealand, month by month
The time between sunrise and sunset, from shortest to longest. Not to be confused with the sunshine hours in the table above, which count clear skies. In December there are 14h40 of daylight, in June 9h39, a difference of 5h02.
14h25Jan
13h30Feb
12h25Mar
11h11Apr
10h11May
9h39Jun
9h52Jul
10h44Aug
11h55Sep
13h07Oct
14h10Nov
14h40Dec
Calculated for the latitude of the reference point "Auckland" (-36.85°). Values on the 15th of each month, local solar time.
What to do in New Zealand, month by month
| Activity | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hiking | ||||||||||||
| Beach & swimming | ||||||||||||
| Towns & culture | ||||||||||||
| Long days | ||||||||||||
| Events | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
EventsWaitangi DayFebruaryMatarikiJune to JulyWOMADMarchMarlborough Wine and Food FestivalFebruaryDetails ↓
favourablewith compromisesunfavourable
- Beach & swimming: January, February
- Towns & culture: January, February, March, April, July
- Long days: January, November, December
Grid derived from the records (temperature, rainfall, sea), not from an opinion.
What's on in New Zealand, month by month?
What comes back every year, and when. Exact dates change from year to year, so check them before you book.
- FebruaryWaitangi Day
The country marks the signing of the treaty at the start of the month, with Māori ceremonies, waka and concerts at Waitangi.
- June to JulyMatariki
The rising of the Pleiades opens the Māori new year: dawn ceremonies, shared meals and a national public holiday.
- MarchWOMAD
Three days of world music in Brooklands Park, New Plymouth, below the Taranaki volcano.
- FebruaryMarlborough Wine and Food Festival
The wineries of the Wairau Valley set up their stalls for a day of Sauvignon Blanc tasting.
Travelling off-peak
When to visit New Zealand, region by region
A country's best time is an average, and it hides big differences. Here is what the records say for each area, month by month: ✓ for a recommended month, ~ for a fair one, a dot for a month to avoid. Hover over a cell for the temperature.
| Area | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇳🇿 Auckland | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | · | · | · | · | · | ~ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 🇳🇿 Queenstown | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | · | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | · | ~ | ✓ |
Month by month, in detail
January
Recommended23°17° at night
- 108 mm · 12 d
- 11.8 h
- sea 23°
Busy, without the crush
February
Recommended23°18° at night
- 113 mm · 11 d
- 10.8 h
- sea 22°
Busy, without the crush
March
Recommended21°16° at night
- 82 mm · 11 d
- 10.2 h
- sea 21°
Busy, without the crush
April
Fair20°15° at night
- 89 mm · 12 d
- 9 h
- sea 19°
Low season, lower prices
May
Not recommended17°12° at night
- 102 mm · 14 d
- 8 h
- sea 16°
Low season, lower prices
June
Not recommended16°11° at night
- 111 mm · 13 d
- 7.2 h
- sea 15°
Low season, lower prices
July
Not recommended15°10° at night
- 127 mm · 12 d
- 7.3 h
- sea 13°
Low season, lower prices
August
Not recommended15°9° at night
- 123 mm · 14 d
- 8.3 h
- sea 13°
Low season, lower prices
September
Not recommended16°11° at night
- 106 mm · 15 d
- 9.4 h
- sea 15°
Low season, lower prices
October
Fair17°12° at night
- 125 mm · 15 d
- 10.1 h
- sea 16°
Low season, lower prices
November
Recommended19°14° at night
- 132 mm · 17 d
- 11.2 h
- sea 19°
Busy, without the crush
December
Recommended21°16° at night
- 112 mm · 15 d
- 11.9 h
- sea 21°
Busy, without the crush
Read the twelve months in detail
January. Mild, 23 °C in the afternoon and 17 °C early in the morning. Expect 12 days of rain in the month (108 mm). Plenty of sunshine: 11.8 h a day on average. The sea is at 23 °C: pleasant swimming. Busy season, without the crush.
February. Mild, 23 °C in the afternoon and 18 °C early in the morning. Expect 11 days of rain in the month (113 mm). Plenty of sunshine: 10.8 h a day on average. The sea is at 22 °C: pleasant swimming. Busy season, without the crush.
March. Mild, 21 °C in the afternoon and 16 °C early in the morning. Expect 11 days of rain in the month (82 mm). Plenty of sunshine: 10.2 h a day on average. Cool sea (21 °C), for the brave. Busy season, without the crush.
April. Mild, 20 °C in the afternoon and 15 °C early in the morning. Expect 12 days of rain in the month (89 mm). Plenty of sunshine: 9 h a day on average. Cool sea (19 °C), for the brave. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
May. Cool: 17 °C at best, 12 °C at night. A very wet month, 102 mm of rain over 14 days. Expect 8 h of sunshine a day. Sea at 16 °C, too cold to swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
June. Cool: 16 °C at best, 11 °C at night. Expect 13 days of rain in the month (111 mm). Expect 7.2 h of sunshine a day. Sea at 15 °C, too cold to swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
July. Cool: 15 °C at best, 10 °C at night. Expect 12 days of rain in the month (127 mm). Expect 7.3 h of sunshine a day. Sea at 13 °C, too cold to swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
August. Cool: 15 °C at best, 9 °C at night. A very wet month, 123 mm of rain over 14 days. Expect 8.3 h of sunshine a day. Sea at 13 °C, too cold to swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
September. Cool: 16 °C at best, 11 °C at night. A very wet month, 106 mm of rain over 15 days. Plenty of sunshine: 9.4 h a day on average. Sea at 15 °C, too cold to swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
October. Cool: 17 °C at best, 12 °C at night. Frequent rain: 125 mm over 15 days. Plenty of sunshine: 10.1 h a day on average. Sea at 16 °C, too cold to swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
November. Mild, 19 °C in the afternoon and 14 °C early in the morning. Frequent rain: 132 mm over 17 days. Plenty of sunshine: 11.2 h a day on average. Cool sea (19 °C), for the brave. Busy season, without the crush.
December. Mild, 21 °C in the afternoon and 16 °C early in the morning. Frequent rain: 112 mm over 15 days. Plenty of sunshine: 11.9 h a day on average. Cool sea (21 °C), for the brave. Busy season, without the crush.
Same season, other ideas
Their best time overlaps with this one: worth comparing before you book.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit New Zealand?
November to March: over these months, recorded highs range from 19 to 23 °C, with 13 days of rain a month on average (2015-2024 records, Auckland).
Which month should you avoid in New Zealand?
July: it is the wettest of the months to avoid, with 127 mm over 12 days of rain on average, according to 2015-2024 records at the reference point (Auckland).
What is the hottest month in New Zealand?
January, with 23 °C on average in the afternoon and 17 °C at night. 2015-2024 records (Auckland).
What is the coldest month in New Zealand?
July, with 15 °C at best during the day and 10 °C at night. 2015-2024 records (Auckland).
What is the driest month in New Zealand?
March: 82 mm over 11 days of rain, against 132 mm in November, the wettest month.
Which month has the most sunshine in New Zealand?
December, with 11.9 h of sunshine a day on average. Note that this counts clear skies, not the length of the day.
When can you swim in New Zealand?
The water reaches 22 °C or more in January, February (warmest 23 °C in January), measured in 2023-2024 on the nearest coast (Auckland).
Plan this trip
📒 The free printable New Zealand guide: itinerary, map, where to sleep→
🗓️ Best time to visit: all our destinations→
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