Best time to visit New Zealand
The best time to visit New Zealand is January, September and October, when its 10 destinations average 81/100 for climate comfort — July is the weakest month, at 71/100.
Updated September 2026 · averaged over 10 New Zealand destinations · climate normals from ERA5 reanalysis
New Zealand climate comfort by month
| Month | Comfort | Avg high | Rain | Pick of the month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 77 | 21.7°C | 70 mm | Christchurch 96 |
| February | 76 | 21.4°C | 95 mm | Christchurch 94 |
| March | 77 | 19.5°C | 82 mm | Rotorua 92 |
| April | 76 | 16.7°C | 67 mm | Rotorua 90 |
| May | 72 | 14.5°C | 97 mm | Napier 82 |
| June | 71 | 11.4°C | 83 mm | Auckland 77 |
| July | 71 | 10.6°C | 117 mm | Queenstown 81 |
| August | 76 | 11.2°C | 88 mm | Queenstown 88 |
| September | 78 | 13.1°C | 111 mm | Queenstown 84 |
| October | 81 | 15.4°C | 93 mm | Auckland 87 |
| November | 77 | 18.3°C | 105 mm | Napier 90 |
| December | 77 | 19.8°C | 105 mm | Napier 93 |
Comfort is SeasonMap's 0–100 score, averaged across every New Zealand destination in the dataset. Each place is judged through the lens that suits it — beaches on beach weather, ski resorts on snow. Averages from ERA5 reanalysis normals, not forecasts.
All 10 destinations in New Zealand
New Zealand — FAQ
- When is the best time to visit New Zealand?
- January, September and October. Across New Zealand's 10 destinations, October averages 81/100 for climate comfort with mean highs of 15.4°C and 93 mm of rain.
- What is the worst month to visit New Zealand?
- July, averaging 71/100 — mean highs of 10.6°C and 117 mm of rain across the country's destinations.
- What is the hottest month in New Zealand?
- January, with mean daily highs of 21.7°C averaged across 10 destinations.
- What is the wettest month in New Zealand?
- July, averaging 117 mm of rain.