Manawatu-Whanganui Climate and Average Weather
Climate of Manawatu-Whanganui: average temperatures, rainfall and seasons month by month.
Climate in Manawatu-Whanganui 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 | 69° | 54° | 4,3 in | ★★★★☆ |
| February | 71° | 54° | 3,7 in | ★★★★☆ |
| March | 66° | 51° | 3,0 in | ★★★★☆ |
| April | 64° | 49° | 4,2 in | ★★★★☆ |
| May | 58° | 43° | 2,7 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| June | 55° | 43° | 3,4 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| July | 53° | 39° | 3,9 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| August | 53° | 38° | 3,2 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| September | 57° | 44° | 8,3 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| October | 60° | 47° | 5,8 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| November | 64° | 50° | 4,1 in | ★★★★☆ |
| December | 69° | 53° | 4,1 in | ★★★★☆ |
Climate type: Temperate. Source: Open-Meteo archive (ERA5).
Recent extremes in Manawatu-Whanganui
Highest and lowest readings observed in the last 3 years of reanalysis data - not all-time records.
How Manawatu-Whanganui compares with nearby places
Annual averages, and the difference against Manawatu-Whanganui.
| Place | Distance | Avg temp | vs here | Annual rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taranaki | 64 mi | 55°F | about the same | 50 in |
| Lake Taupo | 73 mi | 55°F | +33°F warmer | 61 in |
| Napier | 78 mi | 59°F | +37°F warmer | 37 in |
| Hawke's Bay | 78 mi | 59°F | +37°F warmer | 37 in |
| Taupo | 83 mi | 54°F | about the same | 50 in |
Climate by national park in Manawatu-Whanganui
1 national parks mapped in this atlas
Best time to visit Manawatu-Whanganui
Go in January, February, March, November and December. These months score highest on comfortable temperatures, low rainfall and useful daylight.
Hardest months: July, August and September - expect the least comfortable mix of heat, cold or rain.
What this means for Manawatu-Whanganui
Today is about average for August. The forecast high of 55°F is in line with the 53°F typical for this month.
A 100% chance means rain is expected over most of the area. Plan indoor alternatives. Around 0,5 in is forecast, which is enough to soak trails and slow traffic.
Gusts to 50 mph will push high-sided vehicles on exposed roads and bridges. Wet roads are likely; braking distances roughly double in heavy rain.
Southern Hemisphere, so peak summer falls in December to February.
The gap between the warmest and coldest month averages 49°F.
What to pack, what to skip
- A packable rain shell - 5 of the next 7 days carry a real chance of rain
- Avoid exposed ridgelines, small boats and rooftop viewpoints while gusts stay above 50 mph.
- If your dates are flexible, avoid July, August and September - historically the least comfortable months here.
Summary
Manawatu-Whanganui is a region in New Zealand. Manawatu-Whanganui is a region of New Zealand. It has a population of about 260.000.
Right now it is 54°F (12°C) in Manawatu-Whanganui with heavy drizzle. It feels like 46°F. Today runs from 45°F to 55°F. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Sightseeing conditions score 6/10 - fair - plan around the weather.
The best time to visit Manawatu-Whanganui is January, February, March, November and December. The climate is temperate. July, August and September tend to be the least comfortable months. February is the warmest month with average highs near 71°F, while August is the coldest with lows near 38°F.
The closest major airport is Auckland Airport (AKL), about 197 mi away. Nearby highlights include Tongariro National Park, Lake Taupo, North Island and Hobbiton Movie Set.
In plain terms. Today is about average for August. The forecast high of 55°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. fishing is the strongest bet in Manawatu-Whanganui today at 8.3/10. Gusts to 50 mph will push high-sided vehicles on exposed roads and bridges. Wet roads are likely; braking distances roughly double in heavy rain.
Compiled from this page's own data: atlas facts plus live Open-Meteo readings.
Quick facts about Manawatu-Whanganui
| Type | Region |
|---|---|
| Country | New Zealand |
| Continent | Oceania |
| Coordinates | 39°47′60″S 175°30′0″E (-39.8, 175.5) |
| Population | 260.000 |
| Local time | 2:29 PM (UTC+12:00) |
| Best months | January, February, March, November and December |
| Climate | Temperate |
Weather map for Manawatu-Whanganui
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 Manawatu-Whanganui
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 Manawatu-Whanganui?
Manawatu-Whanganui is a region in New Zealand. Its coordinates are -39.8, 175.5. It lies in Oceania.
What is the weather like in Manawatu-Whanganui right now?
It is currently 54°F (12°C) with heavy drizzle. Humidity is 78% and wind is 18 mph.
When is the best time to visit Manawatu-Whanganui?
January, February, March, November and December offer the most comfortable conditions in Manawatu-Whanganui, which has a temperate climate. July, August and September are usually the hardest months for outdoor plans.
What time zone is Manawatu-Whanganui in?
Manawatu-Whanganui observes Pacific/Auckland (UTC+12:00). The local time is 2:29 PM.
How many people live in Manawatu-Whanganui?
Manawatu-Whanganui has a population of approximately 260.000.
What is the nearest airport to Manawatu-Whanganui?
The closest airports are Auckland Airport (AKL), 197 mi away.
What are the top things to do in Manawatu-Whanganui?
Popular options include Tongariro National Park, Lake Taupo, North Island, Hobbiton Movie Set and Piha Beach.
What places are in Manawatu-Whanganui?
Manawatu-Whanganui covers 1 places in this atlas, including Tongariro National Park.
Related articles
Data sources and methodology
| Place data | USPOTUS Atlas dataset (nz-regions) - 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 23, 2026 at 2:29 PM local time. Live blocks refresh every 15 minutes; climate averages monthly.
