SeasonMapNew Zealand in January
January is New Zealand's best month (rank 1 of 12): its 17 destinations average 79/100, led by Christchurch at 93 — 23°C and 8 rainy days — while Te Anau is cooler at 18°C and scores 88.
#1 of 12 months for New Zealand · 17 destinations · updated September 2026 · climate normals from ERA5 reanalysis
Where in New Zealand in January
| # | Place | Type | Feels-like high | Rain | Comfort | At its best |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Christchurch | City | 23°C | 52 mm · 8 days | 93 tier S | Yes |
| 2 | Lake Tekapo | Trekking hub | 19°C | 92 mm · 12 days | 92 tier S | Yes |
| 3 | Napier | City | 26°C | 81 mm · 10 days | 91 tier S | Yes |
| 4 | Nelson | City | 25°C | 96 mm · 10 days | 91 tier S | Yes |
| 5 | Taupo | City | 24°C | 92 mm · 10 days | 91 tier S | Yes |
| 6 | Wellington | City | 21°C | 52 mm · 9 days | 91 tier S | Yes |
| 7 | Auckland | City | 24°C | 84 mm · 10 days | 89 tier A | Yes |
| 8 | Te Anau | National park | 18°C | 129 mm · 13 days | 88 tier A | Yes |
| 9 | Tongariro | National park | 18°C | 135 mm · 15 days | 87 tier A | Yes |
| 10 | Dunedin | City | 19°C | 86 mm · 12 days | 86 tier A | Yes |
| 11 | Rotorua | Trekking hub | 24°C | 92 mm · 11 days | 86 tier A | — |
| 12 | Paihia | Beach | 24°C | 84 mm · 10 days | 85 tier A | Yes |
| 13 | Kaikōura | Beach | 23°C | 74 mm · 10 days | 83 tier A | Yes |
| 14 | Aoraki Mount Cook | National park | 19°C | 252 mm · 17 days | 82 tier A | Yes |
| 15 | Franz Josef | Trekking hub | 19°C | 330 mm · 17 days | 76 tier B | Yes |
| 16 | Wānaka | Ski resort | 21°C | 94 mm · 11 days | 14 tier F | — |
| 17 | Queenstown | Ski resort | 23°C | 108 mm · 11 days | 13 tier F | — |
Comfort is SeasonMap's 0–100 score; each place is judged through the lens that suits it — beaches on beach weather, ski resorts on snow. "At its best" means January is one of that place's own top three months. Feels-like highs fold in humidity, wind and sun.
What's on in New Zealand in January
- Bread & Circus buskers festival · Christchurch · 20 Jan – 3 Feb (usually)
- New Zealand summer holidays · Christchurch and 9 more places · 19 Dec – 1 Feb (usually)
- Lupins along the lake · Lake Tekapo · 15 Nov – 10 Jan (usually)
- Auckland Anniversary Day · Auckland · 26 Jan
- Pohutukawa in flower · Auckland · 25 Nov – 10 Jan (usually)
- Bay of Islands Sailing Week · Paihia · 20–31 Jan (usually)
- Sperm whales, all year · Kaikōura · 1 Jan – 31 Dec
- Summer peak in the village · Franz Josef · 20 Dec – 5 Feb (usually)
Seasons in force
Peak crowds at 12 of New Zealand's 12 well-known places this month.