When to go · Taupō
Taupō in May
Mixed month. Outside the best window (Dec–Apr (warm, long days); Mar–Apr for calmer weather). Across New Zealand: Cool and short days; Great Walk huts leave peak season, services thin; good value in the north.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Mixed
- Temperature
- 14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C) / 5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 11
- Crowds
- Low
- New Zealand overall
- Prices
- Low
- New Zealand overall
Verdict
Outside the best window (Dec–Apr (warm, long days); Mar–Apr for calmer weather). Across New Zealand: Cool and short days; Great Walk huts leave peak season, services thin; good value in the north.
Is another month better than May?
May is rated mixed. These months rate higher:
- DecemberGreatInside Taupō's best window: Dec–Apr (warm, long days); Mar–Apr for calmer weather.
- JanuaryGreatInside Taupō's best window: Dec–Apr (warm, long days); Mar–Apr for calmer weather.
- FebruaryGreatInside Taupō's best window: Dec–Apr (warm, long days); Mar–Apr for calmer weather.
- MarchGreatInside Taupō's best window: Dec–Apr (warm, long days); Mar–Apr for calmer weather.
Weather in May
- TaupōHighs around 14 °C (57 °F), lows around 5 °C (41 °F), rain on about 11 daysHighs around 57 °F (14 °C), lows around 41 °F (5 °C), rain on about 11 days
- Central North Island, New Zealand · 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.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · New Zealand overall
- Low
- Prices · New Zealand overall
- Low
New Zealand overall: Cool and short days; Great Walk huts leave peak season, services thin; good value in the north.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Taupō, side by side.
Verdict
May: Mixed
Jan: Great (better)
Daytime high
May: 14 °C (57 °F)57 °F (14 °C)
Jan: 23 °C (73 °F)73 °F (23 °C)
Night low
May: 5 °C (41 °F)41 °F (5 °C)
Jan: 12 °C (54 °F)54 °F (12 °C)
Rain days
May: 11
Jan: 9 (better)
Crowds
May: Low
Jan: High
Prices
May: Low
Jan: High
Festivals listed
May: 0
Jan: 1
May: Outside the best window (Dec–Apr (warm, long days); Mar–Apr for calmer weather). Across New Zealand: Cool and short days; Great Walk huts leave peak season, services thin; good value in the north.
January: Inside Taupō's best window: Dec–Apr (warm, long days); Mar–Apr for calmer weather.
Taupō: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast
- Layers: a fleece or light jacket