SeasonMapNew Zealand in March
March is one of New Zealand's best months (rank 3 of 12): its 17 destinations average 77/100, led by Auckland at 91 — 22°C and 9 rainy days — while Tongariro is cooler at 14°C and scores 85.
#3 of 12 months for New Zealand · 17 destinations · updated September 2026 · climate normals from ERA5 reanalysis
Where in New Zealand in March
| # | Place | Type | Feels-like high | Rain | Comfort | At its best |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Auckland | City | 22°C | 69 mm · 9 days | 91 tier S | Yes |
| 2 | Lake Tekapo | Trekking hub | 16°C | 91 mm · 10 days | 89 tier A | Yes |
| 3 | Paihia | Beach | 22°C | 55 mm · 9 days | 88 tier A | Yes |
| 4 | Rotorua | Trekking hub | 20°C | 96 mm · 9 days | 88 tier A | Yes |
| 5 | Wellington | City | 19°C | 61 mm · 9 days | 88 tier A | Yes |
| 6 | Christchurch | City | 20°C | 49 mm · 8 days | 87 tier A | — |
| 7 | Napier | City | 23°C | 84 mm · 9 days | 87 tier A | — |
| 8 | Nelson | City | 23°C | 106 mm · 10 days | 87 tier A | Yes |
| 9 | Dunedin | City | 17°C | 54 mm · 10 days | 85 tier A | Yes |
| 10 | Te Anau | National park | 15°C | 121 mm · 13 days | 85 tier A | Yes |
| 11 | Tongariro | National park | 14°C | 114 mm · 13 days | 85 tier A | Yes |
| 12 | Taupo | City | 21°C | 93 mm · 9 days | 84 tier A | — |
| 13 | Aoraki Mount Cook | National park | 16°C | 223 mm · 14 days | 81 tier A | Yes |
| 14 | Kaikōura | Beach | 21°C | 69 mm · 9 days | 80 tier A | Yes |
| 15 | Franz Josef | Trekking hub | 17°C | 310 mm · 16 days | 76 tier B | Yes |
| 16 | Queenstown | Ski resort | 20°C | 91 mm · 11 days | 17 tier F | — |
| 17 | Wānaka | Ski resort | 17°C | 87 mm · 9 days | 16 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 March 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 March
- Waiheke grape harvest · Auckland · 15 Feb – 10 Apr (usually)
- Pasifika Festival · Auckland · 7–15 Mar (usually)
- Crankworx Rotorua · Rotorua · 5–20 Mar (usually)
- CubaDupa · Wellington · 14 Mar – 5 Apr (usually)
- Sperm whales, all year · Kaikōura · 1 Jan – 31 Dec
- Gannets at Cape Kidnappers · Napier · 15 Sep – 15 Apr (usually)
- Royal albatross chick season · Dunedin · 20 Jan – 15 Sep (usually)
- Ironman New Zealand · Taupo · 25 Feb – 12 Mar (usually)