Napier weather in December
December in Napier: warm, a little rain, with clean air — one of the best months to visit.
Updated September 2026 · climate normals from ERA5 reanalysis
#1 of 12 months in Napier · #21 of 1413 destinations to visit in December · comfort 93/100 (tier S)
- Days
- 24°C
- Nights
- 13°C
- Wet days
- 11
- Sun
- 11.2 h
- Humidity
- 71%
- Daylight
- 15 h
Traveller notes on Napier in December
Hawke's Bay is known as one of New Zealand's sunniest, driest regions, but December is spring turning into summer rather than summer proper: the forum describes it as capable of being cool and wet, with spring showers continuing, and the record agrees at eleven rain-days against 23°C days and 15°C nights. Regulars pack a warm jumper, long trousers and a light rain jacket for the windy, showery days. That warmth matters locally — it is what ripens the fruit for Christmas. If the wineries and Art Deco Napier are the draw and the dates are open, February is the month the forum names.
Other months in Napier
A New Zealand forum thread comparing Napier to the Bay of Islands for a June trip pointed out that the east coast, sheltered by the older ranges inland, stays drier than a lot of the North Island through winter - you get drizzle rather than proper downpours. Daytime highs land around 14-15C, matching what other posters described, and nobody's swimming or kayaking this time of year. It's really a wine-and-food-trail season instead: cellar doors and restaurants stay open, you just need a warm layer and won't be on the beach.
Add your own note from Napier's card on the map.
Napier climate normals — December
Monthly averages from ERA5 reanalysis. AQI is the mean US Air Quality Index for the month.
Crowds in Napier in December
How busy the place itself is — school and mass holidays, the months an editor tagged, and how sought-after the weather makes them. Never part of the comfort score.
Peak crowdsCruise season on Marine Parade, Christmas Day closures, Summer holidays in New Zealand(estimated)
Peak crowdsBusyShoulder seasonQuiet
Best months for Napier's weather
Ranked by this destination's own climate comfort score across the year — a different thing from how busy it gets (see Crowds above).
Best weatherNapier's weather peaks December–February.
December includes Gannets at Cape Kidnappers.
Best weatherFair weatherToughest weather
What's on in Napier in December
Recurring seasonal events, natural spectacles, closures and holidays — curated and sourced.
- Nature
Gannets at Cape Kidnappers
15 Sep – 15 Apr · usuallyBirdlife seasonOne of the few mainland gannet colonies in the world sits on the cliffs south of the bay. Birds are back from about August, chicks are on the plateau over summer, and the whole colony clears out by autumn. Source ↗
- Season
Cruise season on Marine Parade
1 Oct – 30 AprCrowdedNapier is one of the busier cruise calls in the country and the ships berth a short walk from the Deco blocks. On a two-ship day the walking tours and the Marine Parade cafes are gone until mid-afternoon. Source ↗
- Holiday
Christmas Day closures
25–26 DecChristmas & New YearClosuresChristmas Day is one of the few days most shops must close by law, and many cafes, restaurants and tours shut too. Boxing Day is a public holiday as well, when shops reopen for the sales and the roads fill with families heading off on summer holiday. Source ↗
Nearby, and something's on
Within 300 km of Napier — a day trip or a short hop — with something on this month. Never part of the comfort score.
Where is Napier?
Napier in December — FAQ
- Is December a good time to visit Napier?
- December in Napier: warm, a little rain, with clean air — one of the best months to visit. It ranks #1 of 12 months for Napier on SeasonMap's comfort score (93/100).
- What is the weather like in Napier in December?
- In December, Napier averages a daily high of 23.9°C and a low of 12.6°C, with about 72.4 mm of rain over roughly 11 rainy days.
- What is the air quality in Napier in December?
- Napier has a mean US Air Quality Index of about 22 in December.
Within 300 km: Tongariro's Four-hour limit at Mangatepopo around 24 Oct – 5 May, and Rotorua's New Zealand summer holidays around 20 Dec – 1 Feb.