Geography of Rotorua
Geography of Rotorua: location, coordinates, elevation, terrain and the places around it.
Geography of Rotorua
Hobbiton Movie Set is 36 mi to the north-west, Taupo is 39 mi to the south, North Island is 48 mi to the south-west and Lake Taupo is 49 mi to the south-west.
Map of Rotorua
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Coordinates: 38°8′12.5″S 176°14′58.9″E (-38.1368, 176.2497)
Quick facts about Rotorua
| Type | City |
|---|---|
| Region | Bay of Plenty |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Continent | Oceania |
| Coordinates | 38°8′12.5″S 176°14′58.9″E (-38.1368, 176.2497) |
| Population | 58.000 |
| Known for | geothermal parks and Maori culture |
| Local time | 12:02 AM (UTC+12:00) |
| Best months | January, February, March and December |
| Climate | Temperate |
Summary
Rotorua is a city in Bay of Plenty. Rotorua is known for geothermal parks and Maori culture. It has a population of about 58.000.
Right now it is 56°F (14°C) in Rotorua with clear sky. It feels like 49°F. Today runs from 44°F to 56°F. Chance of precipitation is 0%. Sightseeing conditions score 8.9/10 - excellent - go now.
The best time to visit Rotorua is January, February, March and December. The climate is temperate. June, July and September tend to be the least comfortable months. February is the warmest month with average highs near 73°F, while August is the coldest with lows near 39°F.
The closest major airport is Auckland Airport (AKL), about 112 mi away. Nearby highlights include Hobbiton Movie Set, North Island, Lake Taupo and Tongariro National Park.
In plain terms. Today is slightly warmer than average for August. The forecast high of 56°F is 2.7°F above the 54°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 Rotorua today at 9.7/10. Gusts to 34 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.
Climate in Rotorua 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 | 72° | 57° | 5,0 in | ★★★★☆ |
| February | 73° | 57° | 2,9 in | ★★★★☆ |
| March | 68° | 53° | 2,8 in | ★★★★☆ |
| April | 64° | 52° | 6,2 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| May | 58° | 45° | 3,2 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| June | 56° | 44° | 6,9 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| July | 53° | 40° | 6,3 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| August | 54° | 39° | 1,9 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| September | 58° | 45° | 5,0 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| October | 62° | 48° | 4,6 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| November | 67° | 52° | 5,4 in | ★★★★☆ |
| December | 71° | 55° | 4,9 in | ★★★★☆ |
Climate type: Temperate. Source: Open-Meteo archive (ERA5).
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Frequently asked questions
Where is Rotorua?
Rotorua is a city in Bay of Plenty. Its coordinates are -38.1368, 176.2497. It lies in Oceania.
What is the weather like in Rotorua right now?
It is currently 56°F (14°C) with clear sky. Humidity is 60% and wind is 15 mph.
When is the best time to visit Rotorua?
January, February, March and December offer the most comfortable conditions in Rotorua, which has a temperate climate. June, July and September are usually the hardest months for outdoor plans.
What time zone is Rotorua in?
Rotorua observes Pacific/Auckland (UTC+12:00). The local time is 12:02 AM.
How many people live in Rotorua?
Rotorua has a population of approximately 58.000.
What is the nearest airport to Rotorua?
The closest airports are Auckland Airport (AKL), 112 mi away.
What are the top things to do in Rotorua?
Popular options include Hobbiton Movie Set, North Island, Lake Taupo, Tongariro National Park and Piha Beach.
Related articles
Data sources and methodology
| Place data | USPOTUS Atlas dataset (cities-supported) - coordinates, hierarchy and facts. |
|---|---|
| Map tiles | OpenStreetMap contributors, CARTO and Esri. |
| Elevation | Open-Meteo digital elevation model where the dataset has no value. |
| 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 26, 2026 at 12:02 AM local time. Live blocks refresh every 15 minutes; climate averages monthly.
