Best time to visit New Zealand
New Zealand has its best weather in December to April. Peak season is December to February. For good weather with fewer crowds, aim for March and April.
New Zealand weather by month
Average daily high and low, rainy days (1 mm or more) and hours of sunshine per day, 2015 to 2024.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Rain days | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 73°F | 64°F | 3.4 in | 11 | 11.8 h |
| February | 73°F | 64°F | 4.3 in | 11 | 10.8 h |
| March | 71°F | 62°F | 3.6 in | 11 | 10.2 h |
| April | 67°F | 58°F | 3.7 in | 11 | 9 h |
| May | 63°F | 55°F | 3.7 in | 13 | 8 h |
| June | 59°F | 52°F | 3.8 in | 12 | 7.2 h |
| July | 58°F | 49°F | 4.6 in | 13 | 7.3 h |
| August | 58°F | 49°F | 4.5 in | 15 | 8.3 h |
| September | 60°F | 51°F | 4.2 in | 15 | 9.4 h |
| October | 62°F | 54°F | 4 in | 13 | 10.1 h |
| November | 66°F | 57°F | 4.2 in | 14 | 11.2 h |
| December | 70°F | 61°F | 3.4 in | 13 | 11.9 h |
New Zealand month by month
New Zealand in January
Highs around 73°F, lows near 64°F. About 11 rainy days and 11.8 h of sunshine a day.
Best weatherPeak seasonNew Zealand in February
Highs around 73°F, lows near 64°F. About 11 rainy days and 10.8 h of sunshine a day.
Auckland Lantern Festival
Best weatherPeak seasonNew Zealand in March
Highs around 71°F, lows near 62°F. About 11 rainy days and 10.2 h of sunshine a day.
Auckland Lantern Festival
Best weatherNew Zealand in April
Highs around 67°F, lows near 58°F. About 11 rainy days and 9 h of sunshine a day.
Best weatherNew Zealand in May
Highs around 63°F, lows near 55°F. About 13 rainy days and 8 h of sunshine a day.
Whale watching at Kaikōura
Good weatherNew Zealand in June
Highs around 59°F, lows near 52°F. About 12 rainy days and 7.2 h of sunshine a day.
Ski season · Whale watching at Kaikōura · Matariki
Good weatherNew Zealand in July
Highs around 58°F, lows near 49°F. About 13 rainy days and 7.3 h of sunshine a day.
Ski season · Whale watching at Kaikōura · Matariki
Mixed weatherNew Zealand in August
Highs around 58°F, lows near 49°F. About 15 rainy days and 8.3 h of sunshine a day.
Ski season · Whale watching at Kaikōura
Mixed weatherNew Zealand in September
Highs around 60°F, lows near 51°F. About 15 rainy days and 9.4 h of sunshine a day.
Ski season · Whale watching at Kaikōura
Mixed weatherNew Zealand in October
Highs around 62°F, lows near 54°F. About 13 rainy days and 10.1 h of sunshine a day.
Good weatherNew Zealand in November
Highs around 66°F, lows near 57°F. About 14 rainy days and 11.2 h of sunshine a day.
Good weatherNew Zealand in December
Highs around 70°F, lows near 61°F. About 13 rainy days and 11.9 h of sunshine a day.
Best weatherPeak season
Seasons and events
- Feb and Mar
Auckland Lantern Festival
Free evening festival of lanterns and live entertainment at Manukau Sports Bowl, held over four days in February or early March.
Source: Auckland Unlimited: Auckland Lantern Festival - May–Sep
Whale watching at Kaikōura
Sperm whales are seen off Kaikōura year-round. Humpback and southern right whales are more likely from May to September.
Source: Tourism New Zealand: Whale watching - Jun–Sep
Ski season
Ski fields around Queenstown, Wānaka and the Central Plateau open from June, with the most snow usually in July and August. Some offer spring skiing.
Source: Tourism New Zealand: New Zealand climate and weather - Jun and Jul
Matariki
Public holiday based on the winter rising of the Matariki star cluster, falling on a Friday in late June or July.
Source: Te Papa: Dates for the Matariki public holiday
Plan New Zealand for March
Lay the trip out day by day in Waiz, on a timeline and a map, and plan it with friends in real time. Pro adds AI itineraries and the forecast for every day.
Questions about visiting New Zealand
March scores highest for weather in Auckland, with highs around 71°F and about 11 rainy days. The best stretch of the year is December to April.
July is the wettest month in Auckland, with about 4.6 in of rain over 13 days. December is the driest, with about 3.4 in.
Peak season is December to February, according to Tourism New Zealand: New Zealand climate and weather. For good weather with fewer crowds, aim for March and April.
February is the warmest month in Auckland, with average highs of 73°F. July is the coolest, at 58°F.
Climate figures are monthly averages of daily ERA5 reanalysis data for 2015 to 2024, retrieved from Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0). The verdict scores each month on temperature, humidity, rain and daylight, and marks months with typhoons, hurricanes or monsoon rain down.
