New Zealand Climate and Average Weather
Climate of New Zealand: average temperatures, rainfall and seasons month by month.
Climate in New Zealand month by month
Average high, average low and total rainfall, based on three years of reanalysis data.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainfall | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 66° | 58° | 2,5 in | ★★★★☆ |
| February | 67° | 58° | 2,1 in | ★★★★☆ |
| March | 64° | 56° | 1,6 in | ★★★★☆ |
| April | 62° | 55° | 5,1 in | ★★★★☆ |
| May | 58° | 51° | 3,2 in | ★★★★☆ |
| June | 56° | 49° | 5,1 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| July | 54° | 48° | 4,0 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| August | 53° | 46° | 2,2 in | ★★★★☆ |
| September | 57° | 50° | 2,9 in | ★★★★☆ |
| October | 59° | 51° | 3,4 in | ★★★★☆ |
| November | 62° | 54° | 1,9 in | ★★★★☆ |
| December | 65° | 57° | 3,3 in | ★★★★☆ |
Climate type: Temperate. Source: Open-Meteo archive (ERA5).
Recent extremes in New Zealand
Highest and lowest readings observed in the last 3 years of reanalysis data - not all-time records.
Climate by region in New Zealand
16 regions mapped in this atlas
Climate by unesco world heritage site in New Zealand
1 unesco world heritage sites mapped in this atlas
Climate by island in New Zealand
2 islands mapped in this atlas
Best time to visit New Zealand
Go in January, February, March, November and December. These months score highest on comfortable temperatures, low rainfall and useful daylight.
Hardest months: June, July and August - expect the least comfortable mix of heat, cold or rain.
What this means for New Zealand
Today is about average for August. The forecast high of 53°F is in line with the 53°F typical for this month.
Rain is very unlikely today - plans do not need a backup.
Gusts to 42 mph will push high-sided vehicles on exposed roads and bridges.
Southern Hemisphere, so peak summer falls in December to February.
The gap between the warmest and coldest month averages 45°F - an unusually even climate through the year.
What to pack, what to skip
- A packable rain shell - 2 of the next 7 days carry a real chance of rain
- Avoid exposed ridgelines, small boats and rooftop viewpoints while gusts stay above 42 mph.
- If your dates are flexible, avoid June, July and August - historically the least comfortable months here.
Summary
New Zealand is a country in Oceania. New Zealand is a country in Oceania with its capital at Wellington. It has a population of about 5.3 million. The capital is Wellington.
Right now it is 53°F (12°C) in New Zealand with clear. It feels like 45°F. Today runs from 46°F to 53°F. Chance of precipitation is 0%. Sightseeing conditions score 8.4/10 - good conditions.
The best time to visit New Zealand is January, February, March, November and December. The climate is temperate. June, July and August tend to be the least comfortable months. February is the warmest month with average highs near 67°F, while August is the coldest with lows near 46°F.
The closest major airport is Auckland Airport (AKL), about 296 mi away. Nearby highlights include Fiordland National Park, Tongariro National Park, Hobbiton Movie Set and Milford Sound.
In plain terms. Today is about average for August. The forecast high of 53°F is in line with the 53°F typical for this month. The best window to be outside is roughly 11 AM to 2 PM, when temperature, rain chance and wind line up best. stargazing is the strongest bet in New Zealand today at 10/10. Gusts to 42 mph will push high-sided vehicles on exposed roads and bridges.
Compiled from this page's own data: atlas facts plus live Open-Meteo readings.
Quick facts about New Zealand
| Type | Country |
|---|---|
| Continent | Oceania |
| Continent | Oceania |
| Coordinates | 41°17′11.8″S 174°46′32.2″E (-41.2866, 174.7756) |
| Capital | Wellington |
| Population | 5.300.000 |
| Area | 103.483 sq mi |
| ISO code | NZ |
| ISO 3166-1 alpha-3 | NZL |
| Currency | New Zealand dollar (NZD) |
| Languages | English, Maori |
| Calling code | +64 |
| Time zone | Pacific/Auckland |
| Local time | 4:55 AM (UTC+12:00) |
| Best months | January, February, March, November and December |
| Climate | Temperate |
Weather map for New Zealand
Animated model layers. Pick a layer to load it.
Animated layers by Windy. For pin-level detail and nearby places, see the interactive map below.
Explore New Zealand
Every topic we hold for this place, and the same topic for the places around it.
Climate for related places
Frequently asked questions
Where is New Zealand?
New Zealand is a country in Oceania. Its coordinates are -41.2866, 174.7756. It lies in Oceania.
What is the weather like in New Zealand right now?
It is currently 53°F (12°C) with clear. Humidity is 84% and wind is 18 mph.
When is the best time to visit New Zealand?
January, February, March, November and December offer the most comfortable conditions in New Zealand, which has a temperate climate. June, July and August are usually the hardest months for outdoor plans.
What time zone is New Zealand in?
New Zealand observes Pacific/Auckland (UTC+12:00). The local time is 4:55 AM.
How many people live in New Zealand?
New Zealand has a population of approximately 5.3 million.
What is the nearest airport to New Zealand?
The closest airports are Auckland Airport (AKL), 296 mi away and Queenstown Airport (ZQN), 399 mi away.
What are the top things to do in New Zealand?
Popular options include Fiordland National Park, Tongariro National Park, Hobbiton Movie Set, Milford Sound, Te Wahipounamu - South West New Zealand and Aoraki / Mount Cook.
What places are in New Zealand?
New Zealand covers 19 places in this atlas, including Auckland Region, Bay of Plenty, Canterbury, Gisborne, Hawke's Bay and Manawatu-Whanganui.
Related articles
Data sources and methodology
| Place data | USPOTUS Atlas dataset (countries-v1) - coordinates, hierarchy and facts. |
|---|---|
| Forecast and observations | Open-Meteo (ECMWF and national models). |
| Air quality and pollen | Copernicus CAMS via Open-Meteo. US AQI scale. |
| Climate averages | ERA5 reanalysis via the Open-Meteo archive, aggregated over 3 years. |
| Method | Scores, comparisons and advice on this page are computed from the inputs above. Distances are straight-line. Nothing is estimated where data is missing - the block is simply not shown. |
Last updated August 22, 2026 at 4:55 AM local time. Live blocks refresh every 15 minutes; climate averages monthly.
