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When to go · New Zealand

New Zealand in September

Mixed month. Spring: lambs and blossom, but changeable weather and late snow; daylight saving starts late in the month.

Key facts

Verdict
Mixed
Crowds
Low
New Zealand
Prices
Low
New Zealand

Verdict

MixedVoykit month rating for New Zealand

Spring: lambs and blossom, but changeable weather and late snow; daylight saving starts late in the month.

Is another month better than September?

September is rated mixed. These months rate higher:

Weather in September

  • Northland and Auckland · Bay of Islands, Auckland, Coromandelfine

    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, Tongarirocool

    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 Tasmanfine

    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, Tekapocool

    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 Anaurainy

    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 Islandcool

    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 coastfine

    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 Peninsulacool

    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 coaststorm or typhoon risk

    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 Islandfine

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

  • North Island: Central North Island · Rotorua, Taupō, Tongarirofine

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

  • North Island: Wellington · Greater Wellingtonfine

    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 Cookfine

    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 Anaufine

    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 rangesfine

    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.

  • Auckland17 °C (63 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 13 rain days
  • Akaroa14 °C (57 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 7 rain days
  • Alexandra15 °C (59 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 7 rain days
  • Arrowtown14 °C (57 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 8 rain days
  • Blenheim16 °C (61 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 9 rain days
  • Bluff14 °C (57 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 14 rain days
  • Browns Bay16 °C (61 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 13 rain days
  • Cambridge17 °C (63 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 13 rain days
  • Carterton15 °C (59 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 6 rain days
  • Charleston15 °C (59 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 14 rain days
  • Christchurch15 °C (59 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 8 rain days
  • Collingwood15 °C (59 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 9 rain days
  • Coromandel17 °C (63 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 11 rain days
  • Cromwell14 °C (57 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 8 rain days
  • Dannevirke15 °C (59 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 9 rain days
  • Dargaville17 °C (63 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days
  • Devonport17 °C (63 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 13 rain days
  • Dunedin13 °C (55 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 6 rain days
  • Elsthorpe16 °C (61 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 8 rain days
  • Fairlie13 °C (55 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 8 rain days
  • Feilding16 °C (61 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 7 rain days
  • Flaxmere17 °C (63 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 6 rain days
  • Fox Glacier14 °C (57 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 15 rain days
  • Franz Josef14 °C (57 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 17 rain days
  • Gisborne17 °C (63 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 10 rain days
  • Glenorchy14 °C (57 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 7 rain days
  • Gore14 °C (57 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 11 rain days
  • Granity14 °C (57 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 15 rain days
  • Greymouth15 °C (59 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 16 rain days
  • Haast14 °C (57 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 16 rain days
  • Hahei17 °C (63 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 12 rain days
  • Hamilton17 °C (63 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 13 rain days
  • Hanmer Springs14 °C (57 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 9 rain days
  • Hastings17 °C (63 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 9 rain days
  • Havelock15 °C (59 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 9 rain days
  • Havelock North17 °C (63 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 8 rain days
  • Hawera15 °C (59 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 13 rain days
  • Helensville16 °C (61 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 10 rain days
  • Hokitika15 °C (59 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 15 rain days
  • Horeke17 °C (63 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 14 rain days
  • Invercargill13 °C (55 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 15 rain days
  • Kaiapoi14 °C (57 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 9 rain days
  • Kaikoura14 °C (57 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 7 rain days
  • Kaitaia18 °C (64 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 9 rain days
  • Karamea15 °C (59 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 14 rain days
  • Kerikeri17 °C (63 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 14 rain days
  • Kingston14 °C (57 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 9 rain days
  • Kohukohu17 °C (63 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 12 rain days
  • Koutu17 °C (63 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 12 rain days
  • Kūaotunu16 °C (61 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 12 rain days
  • Lake Tekapo12 °C (54 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 8 rain days
  • Leigh17 °C (63 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 14 rain days
  • Levin14 °C (57 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 11 rain days
  • Long Bay18 °C (64 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 8 rain days
  • Lyttelton15 °C (59 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 7 rain days
  • Manapouri14 °C (57 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 14 rain days
  • Mangamuka Bridge16 °C (61 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 12 rain days
  • Mapua15 °C (59 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 8 rain days
  • Martinborough16 °C (61 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 10 rain days
  • Masterton16 °C (61 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 11 rain days
  • Matamata15 °C (59 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 8 rain days
  • Mataura13 °C (55 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 13 rain days
  • Matawai16 °C (61 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 10 rain days
  • Methven14 °C (57 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 7 rain days
  • Milford Sound13.2 °C (56 °F) / 4.1 °C (39 °F), 18 rain days
  • Milton13 °C (55 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 10 rain days
  • Morere16 °C (61 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 10 rain days
  • Mossburn14 °C (57 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 13 rain days
  • Motueka16 °C (61 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 10 rain days
  • Murchison14 °C (57 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 12 rain days
  • Muriwai16 °C (61 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 14 rain days
  • Napier17 °C (63 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 10 rain days
  • National Park Village15 °C (59 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 10 rain days
  • Nelson16 °C (61 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 10 rain days
  • New Plymouth16 °C (61 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 13 rain days
  • Oamaru14 °C (57 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 8 rain days
  • Ohakune12 °C (54 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 12 rain days
  • Omarama14 °C (57 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 8 rain days
  • Onekaka16 °C (61 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 11 rain days
  • Opononi17 °C (63 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 8 rain days
  • Opotiki17 °C (63 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 8 rain days
  • Otaki14 °C (57 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 10 rain days
  • Paekākāriki15 °C (59 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 7 rain days
  • Paihia17 °C (63 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 14 rain days
  • Palmerston North16 °C (61 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 13 rain days
  • Paraparaumu15 °C (59 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 12 rain days
  • Pauanui16 °C (61 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 11 rain days
  • Picton15 °C (59 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 10 rain days
  • Piha16 °C (61 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 13 rain days
  • Pirongia17 °C (63 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 11 rain days
  • Pleasant Point15 °C (59 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 8 rain days
  • Port Chalmers13 °C (55 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 9 rain days
  • Puhoi17 °C (63 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 14 rain days
  • Punakaiki15 °C (59 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 15 rain days
  • Queenstown14 °C (57 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 9 rain days
  • Raetihi14 °C (57 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 13 rain days
  • Raglan16 °C (61 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 14 rain days
  • Rai Valley15 °C (59 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 10 rain days
  • Ranfurly14 °C (57 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 8 rain days
  • Rangiora15 °C (59 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 8 rain days
  • Rawene17 °C (63 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 14 rain days
  • Reefton14 °C (57 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 14 rain days
  • Renwick16 °C (61 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 9 rain days
  • Ross14 °C (57 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 15 rain days
  • Rotorua15 °C (59 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 11 rain days
  • Russell17 °C (63 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 13 rain days
  • Seddon15 °C (59 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 8 rain days
  • Shannon15 °C (59 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 9 rain days
  • Springfield15 °C (59 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 9 rain days
  • St Arnaud14 °C (57 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 10 rain days
  • Stratford15 °C (59 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 13 rain days
  • Taipa-Mangonui17 °C (63 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 14 rain days
  • Tairua17 °C (63 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 12 rain days
  • Takaka15 °C (59 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 12 rain days
  • Takapuna16 °C (61 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 13 rain days
  • Taradale16 °C (61 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 9 rain days
  • Taumarunui15 °C (59 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 8 rain days
  • Taupō14 °C (57 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 11 rain days
  • Tauranga17 °C (63 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 10 rain days
  • Te Awamutu17 °C (63 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 5 rain days
  • Te Kuiti16 °C (61 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 13 rain days
  • Te Puke16 °C (61 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 11 rain days
  • Thames16 °C (61 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 13 rain days
  • Timaru15 °C (59 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 8 rain days
  • Torbay16 °C (61 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 13 rain days
  • Turangi14 °C (57 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 12 rain days
  • Twizel14 °C (57 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 8 rain days
  • Waihi Beach16 °C (61 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 12 rain days
  • Waikanae17 °C (63 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 6 rain days
  • Waipara16 °C (61 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 7 rain days
  • Waipukurau16 °C (61 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 9 rain days
  • Wairoa16 °C (61 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 11 rain days
  • Waitomo16 °C (61 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 12 rain days
  • Wakefield15 °C (59 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 9 rain days
  • Wanaka14 °C (57 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 8 rain days
  • Ward15 °C (59 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 8 rain days
  • Warkworth16 °C (61 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 6 rain days
  • Wellington14 °C (57 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 13 rain days
  • Wellsford16 °C (61 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 12 rain days
  • Westport15 °C (59 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 14 rain days
  • Whakatane17 °C (63 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 11 rain days
  • Whangamata16 °C (61 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 12 rain days
  • Whanganui16 °C (61 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 11 rain days
  • Whangarei18 °C (64 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 13 rain days
  • Whangaroa17 °C (63 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 14 rain days
  • Whataroa14 °C (57 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 9 rain days
  • Whitianga17 °C (63 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 12 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.

  • School holidays

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

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

Crowds and prices

Crowds · New Zealand
Low
Prices · New Zealand
Low

Compare two months

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

  • Verdict

    Sep: Mixed

    Jan: Great (better)

  • Crowds

    Sep: Low

    Jan: High

  • Prices

    Sep: Low

    Jan: High

  • Festivals listed

    Sep: 1

    Jan: 5

September: Spring: lambs and blossom, but changeable weather and late snow; daylight saving starts late in the month.

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

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

What to pack

  • Layers: a fleece or light jacket
  • A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Where to go in September

Rated best or good this month

  • Auckland

    Spring warms; changeable weather.

  • Fairlie

    Best months: Dec–Mar (summer road trip), Jun–Sep (ski season)

  • Long Bay

    Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Nov

  • Methven

    Best months: Jun–Oct for skiing, Dec–Feb for summer activities

  • Muriwai

    Best months: Nov–Mar for beach weather; Jul–Oct for the gannets returning

  • Ohakune

    Best months: Jul–Sep for skiing; Dec–Mar for hiking and biking

  • Omarama

    Best months: Sep–Apr for gliding; Dec–Mar warmest

  • Raetihi

    Best months: Dec–Mar for hiking and the river; Jul–Sep for skiing

  • Springfield

    Best months: Dec–Mar for the pass and ski-field walks; Jul–Sep for snow

  • St Arnaud

    Best months: Dec–Mar for walking and the lake; Jul–Sep for Rainbow Ski Field

  • Turangi

    Best months: Dec–Apr for the Alpine Crossing and river walks; Aug–Oct for trout fishing