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When to go · Climate guide
New Zealandwhen to go
New Zealand's national averages run from 10 °C in July to 20 °C in February, with rainfall between 115 mm in March and 159 mm in September and 2.5–7.7 hours of sun a day. Against the default preferences (under 2.7 mm of rain a day, at least 6 hours of sun), the strongest months are January, February and March. Its 23 regions span 9–21 °C in annual mean temperature, so the national figure hides a good deal.
- Capital
- Wellington
- Region
- Oceania
- TZ
- Pacific/Auckland
- Area
- 267,242 km²
Best months to visit
When New Zealand shines
Climate at a glance · 10-year ERA5
A decade of weather, in one page
— daytime high— overnight low▬ typical range
View data table
| Month | Average daytime high (°C) | Average overnight low (°C) | Typical low | Typical high |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 20.0 | 12.0 | 8.2 | 23.7 |
| February | 20.1 | 11.8 | 8.2 | 22.8 |
| March | 18.3 | 10.4 | 6.6 | 21.1 |
| April | 15.6 | 8.2 | 4.5 | 18.4 |
| May | 13.0 | 6.1 | 1.6 | 16.7 |
| June | 10.3 | 4.2 | 0.5 | 13.0 |
| July | 9.6 | 3.5 | 0.1 | 11.8 |
| August | 10.3 | 3.7 | -0.1 | 12.9 |
| September | 12.1 | 5.1 | 1.6 | 14.7 |
| October | 14.2 | 6.8 | 2.8 | 17.6 |
| November | 16.8 | 9.0 | 5.2 | 19.9 |
| December | 18.7 | 10.9 | 7.4 | 21.5 |
View data table
| Month | Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|
| January | 125 |
| February | 121 |
| March | 115 |
| April | 126 |
| May | 138 |
| June | 116 |
| July | 151 |
| August | 123 |
| September | 159 |
| October | 152 |
| November | 147 |
| December | 146 |
View data table
| Month | Sunshine hours (hr / day) |
|---|---|
| January | 7.7 |
| February | 6.8 |
| March | 5.4 |
| April | 4.1 |
| May | 3.1 |
| June | 2.5 |
| July | 2.7 |
| August | 3.9 |
| September | 4.9 |
| October | 5.9 |
| November | 7.0 |
| December | 7.5 |
— average▬ typical range
View data table
| Month | Average wind speed (km/h) | Typical low | Typical high |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 11.6 | 7.4 | 18.3 |
| February | 10.9 | 7.2 | 16.6 |
| March | 10.5 | 6.9 | 15.8 |
| April | 10.9 | 6.8 | 16.3 |
| May | 11.3 | 6.3 | 17.8 |
| June | 10.8 | 6.8 | 16.6 |
| July | 11.5 | 6.9 | 17.7 |
| August | 11.1 | 6.9 | 16.7 |
| September | 12.8 | 7.8 | 19.6 |
| October | 12.3 | 7.5 | 18.3 |
| November | 12.0 | 7.0 | 16.9 |
| December | 12.0 | 7.6 | 17.4 |
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Snow depth
Snow depth for New Zealand is part of the Premium map and its district-level detail. See what Premium includes.
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Sea surface temperature
Sea surface temperature for New Zealand is part of the Premium map and its district-level detail. See what Premium includes.
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Heat index
Heat index for New Zealand is part of the Premium map and its district-level detail. See what Premium includes.
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Humidity
Humidity for New Zealand is part of the Premium map and its district-level detail. See what Premium includes.
What’s open · year round
Things to do in New Zealand
Nothing on this list closes for the season in New Zealand, but every one of them has a window worth aiming for.
- LimitedThe Great Walks (Milford, Routeburn, Kepler)
Limited May–September · at its best October–April
Sources: doc.govt.nz, newzealand.com
- LimitedTongariro Alpine Crossing
Limited May–October · at its best November–April
Sources: nationalgeographic.com, activeadventures.com
Opening seasons are checked by hand against the operators and parks themselves, not derived from the climate figures on this page. Last reviewed 2026-08-28. Dates move — confirm before you book.
23 regions
New Zealand, taken apart
- Antipodes Islands8–12 °C yr
- Auckland15–23 °C yr
- Auckland Islands8–11 °C yr
- Bay of Plenty12–23 °C yr
- Campbell Islands8–11 °C yr
- Canterbury8–19 °C yr
- Chatham Islands11–16 °C yr
- Gisborne13–23 °C yr
- Hawke's Bay12–22 °C yr
- Kermadec Islands18–24 °C yr
- Manawatū-Whanganui11–22 °C yr
- Marlborough9–20 °C yr
- Nelson11–21 °C yr
- Northland15–23 °C yr
- Otago6–19 °C yr
- Snares Islands10–14 °C yr
- Southland8–18 °C yr
- Taranaki13–22 °C yr
- Tasman9–19 °C yr
- Three Kings Islands15–21 °C yr
- Waikato13–23 °C yr
- Wellington12–20 °C yr
- West Coast8–18 °C yr
Safety · 6 governments
What the governments say about New Zealand
Combined advisory · most-cautious-wins
Exercise normal precautions
Highest level across 6 governments · Advisory last changed
See breakdown by countryHide breakdown
CA
Level 1Exercise normal precautions
Exercise normal precautions
DE
Level 1Exercise normal precautions
Exercise normal precautions
NL
Level 1Exercise normal precautions
Exercise normal precautions
UK
Level 1Exercise normal precautions
Exercise normal precautions
US
Level 1Exercise normal precautions
Exercise normal precautions
Month by month
A year in New Zealand, in order
- JanJanuary20.0°C · 125 mm · 7.7 hr/day
Around 20 °C with 125 mm of rain and 7.7 hours of sun a day.
Around 20 °C with 125 mm of rain and 7.7 hours of sun a day.
- FebFebruary20.1°C · 121 mm · 6.8 hr/day
Around 20 °C with 121 mm of rain and 6.8 hours of sun a day.
Around 20 °C with 121 mm of rain and 6.8 hours of sun a day.
- MarMarch18.3°C · 115 mm · 5.4 hr/day
Around 18 °C with 115 mm of rain and 5.4 hours of sun a day.
Around 18 °C with 115 mm of rain and 5.4 hours of sun a day.
- AprApril15.6°C · 126 mm · 4.1 hr/day
Around 16 °C with 126 mm of rain and 4.1 hours of sun a day.
Around 16 °C with 126 mm of rain and 4.1 hours of sun a day.
- MayMay13.0°C · 138 mm · 3.1 hr/day
Around 13 °C with 138 mm of rain and 3.1 hours of sun a day.
Around 13 °C with 138 mm of rain and 3.1 hours of sun a day.
- JunJune10.3°C · 116 mm · 2.5 hr/day
Around 10 °C with 116 mm of rain and 2.5 hours of sun a day.
Around 10 °C with 116 mm of rain and 2.5 hours of sun a day.
- JulJuly9.6°C · 151 mm · 2.7 hr/day
Around 10 °C with 151 mm of rain and 2.7 hours of sun a day.
Around 10 °C with 151 mm of rain and 2.7 hours of sun a day.
- AugAugust10.3°C · 123 mm · 3.9 hr/day
Around 10 °C with 123 mm of rain and 3.9 hours of sun a day.
Around 10 °C with 123 mm of rain and 3.9 hours of sun a day.
- SepSeptember12.1°C · 159 mm · 4.9 hr/day
Around 12 °C with 159 mm of rain and 4.9 hours of sun a day.
Around 12 °C with 159 mm of rain and 4.9 hours of sun a day.
- OctOctober14.2°C · 152 mm · 5.9 hr/day
Around 14 °C with 152 mm of rain and 5.9 hours of sun a day.
Around 14 °C with 152 mm of rain and 5.9 hours of sun a day.
- NovNovember16.8°C · 147 mm · 7.0 hr/day
Around 17 °C with 147 mm of rain and 7.0 hours of sun a day.
Around 17 °C with 147 mm of rain and 7.0 hours of sun a day.
- DecDecember18.7°C · 146 mm · 7.5 hr/day
Around 19 °C with 146 mm of rain and 7.5 hours of sun a day.
Around 19 °C with 146 mm of rain and 7.5 hours of sun a day.
Same climate · neighbouring countries
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