When to go · Wellington
Wellington in May
Mixed month. Outside the best window (Nov–Apr). 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
- 15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C) / 10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 12
- Crowds
- Low
- New Zealand overall
- Prices
- Low
- New Zealand overall
Verdict
Outside the best window (Nov–Apr). 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:
Weather in May
- WellingtonHighs around 15 °C (59 °F), lows around 10 °C (50 °F), rain on about 12 daysHighs around 59 °F (15 °C), lows around 50 °F (10 °C), rain on about 12 days
- Wellington and Marlborough-Nelson, New Zealand · 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.
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 Wellington, side by side.
Verdict
May: Mixed
Jan: Great (better)
Daytime high
May: 15 °C (59 °F)59 °F (15 °C)
Jan: 21 °C (70 °F)70 °F (21 °C)
Night low
May: 10 °C (50 °F)50 °F (10 °C)
Jan: 15 °C (59 °F)59 °F (15 °C)
Rain days
May: 12
Jan: 8 (better)
Crowds
May: Low
Jan: High
Prices
May: Low
Jan: High
Festivals listed
May: 0
Jan: 2
May: Outside the best window (Nov–Apr). Across New Zealand: Cool and short days; Great Walk huts leave peak season, services thin; good value in the north.
January: Inside Wellington's best window: Nov–Apr.
Wellington: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm layer for the evenings
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast