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When to go · New Zealand

New Zealand in January

Great month. Peak summer and local holidays: long days, warm lakes; book cars, ferries and huts well ahead.

Key facts

Verdict
Great
Crowds
High
New Zealand
Prices
High
New Zealand

Verdict

GreatVoykit month rating for New Zealand

Peak summer and local holidays: long days, warm lakes; book cars, ferries and huts well ahead.

Is another month better than January?

No other month rates higher than January for New Zealand in this guide.

Weather in January

  • Northland and Auckland · Bay of Islands, Auckland, Coromandelbest weather

    Subtropical-mild: humid summers around 24 °C (75 °F), wet but rarely cold winters (14 °C (57 °F) days); showers in any month.

  • Central North Island · Rotorua, Taupō, Tongarirobest weather

    The volcanic plateau is high: frosts and snow on the Tongariro Crossing in winter (guided only then); summer is the crossing season.

  • Wellington and Marlborough-Nelson · Wellington, Picton, Nelson, Abel Tasmanbest weather

    Nelson and Blenheim are the sunniest towns in the country; Wellington's wind and Cook Strait swell can cancel ferries.

  • Southern Alps and lakes · Queenstown, Wānaka, Aoraki/Mount Cook, Tekapobest weather

    Hot dry summers, clear cold winters with ski fields Jun–Sep; chains needed on passes; autumn colour in April.

  • West Coast and Fiordland · Franz Josef, Fox, Milford Sound, Te Anaufine

    Among the wettest places on earth (Milford gets 6–7 m a year): rain makes the waterfalls, but slips close roads; sandflies all summer.

  • Otago coast and far south · Dunedin, the Catlins, Stewart Islandbest weather

    Cool and changeable year-round; short winter days (about 9 hours of light in June).

  • Bay of Islands: Bay of Islands · Paihia, Russell, Kerikeri and the coastbest weather

    Subtropical: warmest and driest Dec–Mar (25–27 °C (77–81 °F) days), wettest and windiest Jun–Aug. Water is warmest Feb–Mar.

  • Far Far North: Far Far North · Aupouri Peninsulawarm

    Summer (Dec–Apr) is warm and long‑daylight; winter can be cool and windy, especially on the coast.

  • Lower Northland: Coastal Lower Northland · Whangarei area and west coastcool

    Mild maritime climate; warmest Jan–Feb (~22 °C (72 °F)), coolest Jul–Aug (~12 °C (54 °F)). Rainfall spread year‑round.

  • North Island: Auckland and Northland · Upper North Islandbest weather

    Warmest and wettest part of the island; rain arrives in short heavy showers year-round.

  • North Island: Central North Island · Rotorua, Taupō, Tongarirobest weather

    Inland and higher; frost and snow on the volcanoes in winter (Jul–Aug), which is also the ski season.

  • North Island: Wellington · Greater Wellingtonbest weather

    Wind is the local weather; the ferry across Cook Strait can be cancelled in rough conditions.

  • South Island: West Coast · Franz Josef, Fox, Haastrainy

    One of the wettest places in New Zealand — over 2000 mm a year. Rain is normal; plan around it, not against it.

  • South Island: Canterbury and Mackenzie Country · Christchurch, Tekapo, Mount Cookbest weather

    Dry east of the Alps; hot northwesterly winds can push summer temperatures into the 30s. Winter snow closes alpine roads at times.

  • South Island: Otago and Southland · Queenstown, Wanaka, Dunedin, Te Anaubest weather

    Cooler the further south you go; alpine areas are cold in winter and snow-capped much of the year.

  • Wairarapa: Wairarapa · Sheltered east of the Rimutaka and Tararua rangesbest weather

    The ranges block the prevailing westerlies, so it is warmer and drier than Wellington. Summer (Dec–Mar) is the reliable window; winter is cool and can bring frost.

  • Auckland23 °C (73 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 9 rain days
  • Akaroa22 °C (72 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 7 rain days
  • Alexandra24 °C (75 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 7 rain days
  • Arrowtown23 °C (73 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 8 rain days
  • Blenheim24 °C (75 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 6 rain days
  • Bluff19 °C (66 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 14 rain days
  • Browns Bay23 °C (73 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 8 rain days
  • Cambridge24 °C (75 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 8 rain days
  • Carterton23 °C (73 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 10 rain days
  • Charleston21 °C (70 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 11 rain days
  • Christchurch23 °C (73 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 8 rain days
  • Collingwood22 °C (72 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 7 rain days
  • Coromandel23 °C (73 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 7 rain days
  • Cromwell24 °C (75 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 8 rain days
  • Dannevirke23 °C (73 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 7 rain days
  • Dargaville24 °C (75 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 7 rain days
  • Devonport24 °C (75 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 8 rain days
  • Dunedin19 °C (66 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 7 rain days
  • Elsthorpe24 °C (75 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 7 rain days
  • Fairlie22 °C (72 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 8 rain days
  • Feilding22 °C (72 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 9 rain days
  • Flaxmere22 °C (72 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 8 rain days
  • Fox Glacier21 °C (70 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 14 rain days
  • Franz Josef21 °C (70 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 14 rain days
  • Gisborne25 °C (77 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 7 rain days
  • Glenorchy22 °C (72 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 9 rain days
  • Gore21 °C (70 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 11 rain days
  • Granity21 °C (70 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 12 rain days
  • Greymouth21 °C (70 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 14 rain days
  • Haast20 °C (68 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 14 rain days
  • Hahei24 °C (75 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 8 rain days
  • Hamilton24 °C (75 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 8 rain days
  • Hanmer Springs23 °C (73 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 8 rain days
  • Hastings26 °C (79 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 7 rain days
  • Havelock23 °C (73 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 7 rain days
  • Havelock North23 °C (73 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 7 rain days
  • Hawera22 °C (72 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 9 rain days
  • Helensville25 °C (77 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 7 rain days
  • Hokitika21 °C (70 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 12 rain days
  • Horeke24 °C (75 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 9 rain days
  • Invercargill19 °C (66 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 14 rain days
  • Kaiapoi22 °C (72 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 8 rain days
  • Kaikoura22 °C (72 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 7 rain days
  • Kaitaia22 °C (72 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 7 rain days
  • Karamea21 °C (70 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 11 rain days
  • Kerikeri24 °C (75 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 8 rain days
  • Kingston22 °C (72 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 9 rain days
  • Kohukohu24 °C (75 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 8 rain days
  • Koutu24 °C (75 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 8 rain days
  • Kūaotunu24 °C (75 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 8 rain days
  • Lake Tekapo22 °C (72 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 8 rain days
  • Leigh24 °C (75 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 8 rain days
  • Levin22 °C (72 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 7 rain days
  • Long Bay25 °C (77 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 12 rain days
  • Lyttelton22 °C (72 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 7 rain days
  • Manapouri21 °C (70 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 13 rain days
  • Mangamuka Bridge24 °C (75 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 8 rain days
  • Mapua22 °C (72 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 7 rain days
  • Martinborough24 °C (75 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 7 rain days
  • Masterton24 °C (75 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 8 rain days
  • Matamata23 °C (73 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 7 rain days
  • Mataura20 °C (68 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 12 rain days
  • Matawai24 °C (75 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 8 rain days
  • Methven22 °C (72 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 7 rain days
  • Milford Sound19.5 °C (67 °F) / 10.7 °C (51 °F), 18 rain days
  • Milton19 °C (66 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 10 rain days
  • Morere24 °C (75 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 7 rain days
  • Mossburn21 °C (70 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 12 rain days
  • Motueka23 °C (73 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 8 rain days
  • Murchison22 °C (72 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 8 rain days
  • Muriwai23 °C (73 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 8 rain days
  • Napier25 °C (77 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 7 rain days
  • National Park Village22 °C (72 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 8 rain days
  • Nelson23 °C (73 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 7 rain days
  • New Plymouth22 °C (72 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 9 rain days
  • Oamaru21 °C (70 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 8 rain days
  • Ohakune22 °C (72 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 9 rain days
  • Omarama23 °C (73 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 8 rain days
  • Onekaka22 °C (72 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 8 rain days
  • Opononi24 °C (75 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 10 rain days
  • Opotiki23 °C (73 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 8 rain days
  • Otaki22 °C (72 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 7 rain days
  • Paekākāriki23 °C (73 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 12 rain days
  • Paihia24 °C (75 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 8 rain days
  • Palmerston North23 °C (73 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 9 rain days
  • Paraparaumu22 °C (72 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 8 rain days
  • Pauanui24 °C (75 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 8 rain days
  • Picton22 °C (72 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 8 rain days
  • Piha23 °C (73 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 8 rain days
  • Pirongia24 °C (75 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 8 rain days
  • Pleasant Point22 °C (72 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 8 rain days
  • Port Chalmers21 °C (70 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 10 rain days
  • Puhoi24 °C (75 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 8 rain days
  • Punakaiki21 °C (70 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 12 rain days
  • Queenstown23 °C (73 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 8 rain days
  • Raetihi22 °C (72 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 10 rain days
  • Raglan24 °C (75 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 8 rain days
  • Rai Valley23 °C (73 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 8 rain days
  • Ranfurly22 °C (72 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 5 rain days
  • Rangiora22 °C (72 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 6 rain days
  • Rawene24 °C (75 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 9 rain days
  • Reefton22 °C (72 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 12 rain days
  • Renwick24 °C (75 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 7 rain days
  • Ross20 °C (68 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 12 rain days
  • Rotorua23 °C (73 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 8 rain days
  • Russell24 °C (75 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 8 rain days
  • Seddon23 °C (73 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 7 rain days
  • Shannon22 °C (72 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 7 rain days
  • Springfield23 °C (73 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 8 rain days
  • St Arnaud22 °C (72 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 9 rain days
  • Stratford22 °C (72 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 9 rain days
  • Taipa-Mangonui24 °C (75 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 8 rain days
  • Tairua24 °C (75 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 8 rain days
  • Takaka22 °C (72 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 9 rain days
  • Takapuna23 °C (73 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 8 rain days
  • Taradale24 °C (75 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 7 rain days
  • Taumarunui22 °C (72 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 8 rain days
  • Taupō23 °C (73 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 9 rain days
  • Tauranga23 °C (73 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 9 rain days
  • Te Awamutu23 °C (73 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 8 rain days
  • Te Kuiti24 °C (75 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 9 rain days
  • Te Puke24 °C (75 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 8 rain days
  • Thames24 °C (75 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 8 rain days
  • Timaru22 °C (72 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 8 rain days
  • Torbay23 °C (73 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 8 rain days
  • Turangi23 °C (73 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 9 rain days
  • Twizel23 °C (73 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 8 rain days
  • Waihi Beach24 °C (75 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 8 rain days
  • Waikanae23 °C (73 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 7 rain days
  • Waipara23 °C (73 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 7 rain days
  • Waipukurau25 °C (77 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 7 rain days
  • Wairoa24 °C (75 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 8 rain days
  • Waitomo24 °C (75 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 8 rain days
  • Wakefield22 °C (72 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 7 rain days
  • Wanaka24 °C (75 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 8 rain days
  • Ward22 °C (72 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 7 rain days
  • Warkworth23 °C (73 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 9 rain days
  • Wellington21 °C (70 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 8 rain days
  • Wellsford24 °C (75 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 7 rain days
  • Westport21 °C (70 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 12 rain days
  • Whakatane24 °C (75 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 8 rain days
  • Whangamata24 °C (75 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 8 rain days
  • Whanganui22 °C (72 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 8 rain days
  • Whangarei24 °C (75 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 8 rain days
  • Whangaroa24 °C (75 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 8 rain days
  • Whataroa16 °C (61 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 12 rain days
  • Whitianga24 °C (75 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 8 rain days

Festivals and holidays

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

  • New Year big impact

    1–2 Jan

    Peak of the summer holiday: campsites, beaches, ferries and lake towns full.

  • Wellington, Auckland and Nelson anniversary days

    Late Jan – early Feb (Mondays)

    Regional long weekends; local roads and ferries busy.

  • School holidays

    Apr, Jul, late Sep–Oct, mid-Dec – late Jan

    Family travel fills campervans, ski fields (July) and ferries.

  • Auckland Anniversary Weekend

    Late Jan · Auckland

    Public holiday; the harbour and ferries are busy.

  • Summer holidays

    Christmas to late Jan · Auckland

    Ferries, beaches and hotels are full; book early.

Crowds and prices

Crowds · New Zealand
High
Prices · New Zealand
High

High-price month: see what to book ahead.

Compare two months

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in New Zealand, side by side.

  • Verdict

    Jan: Great

    Feb: Great

  • Crowds

    Jan: High

    Feb: High

  • Prices

    Jan: High

    Feb: High

  • Festivals listed

    Jan: 5

    Feb: 2

January: Peak summer and local holidays: long days, warm lakes; book cars, ferries and huts well ahead.

February: The most settled weather of the year; school is back, so beaches ease after Waitangi Day.

New Zealand: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.

What to pack

Nothing unusual for the weather this month.

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Where to go in January

Rated best or good this month

  • Northland and Auckland

    Best weather of the year (Bay of Islands, Auckland, Coromandel)

  • Central North Island

    Best weather of the year (Rotorua, Taupō, Tongariro)

  • Wellington and Marlborough-Nelson

    Best weather of the year (Wellington, Picton, Nelson, Abel Tasman)

  • Southern Alps and lakes

    Best weather of the year (Queenstown, Wānaka, Aoraki/Mount Cook, Tekapo)

  • Otago coast and far south

    Best weather of the year (Dunedin, the Catlins, Stewart Island)

  • Auckland

    Warm summer; peak season, book early.

  • Akaroa

    Best months: Nov–Apr; Dec–Feb is warmest but busiest

  • Alexandra

    Best months: Dec–Feb (warm, dry summer)

  • Arrowtown

    Best months: Mar–May (autumn colour), Dec–Mar (summer walking)

  • Blenheim

    Best months: Nov–Apr (warm, dry, long days); Feb–Apr for harvest

  • Bluff

    Best months: Nov–Apr; Mar–Aug for oysters

  • Browns Bay

    Best months: Nov–Apr (warm, sunny)