Best time to visit · Auckland · New Zealand
The best time to visit Auckland
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
The best time to visit Auckland is February to April, when the weather is warm and settled, the sea is at its warmest and the summer-holiday crowds have gone. December and January are sunny but busy and expensive. Winter (June to August) is mild but wet, with the lowest prices.
Key facts
- Best months
- February–April and December
- Shoulder season
- January, May and October–November
- Warmest month
- February (avg high 25°C (77°F))
- Coldest month
- July (avg high 15°C (59°F))
- Rainiest month
- July (~16 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- May–September
Seasons
Auckland has a mild, humid oceanic climate with warm summers and cool, wet winters that rarely bring frost. The weather is famously changeable — sun and showers can arrive in the same hour — and UV levels are high in summer.
December–February
Summer
Warm, humid and the best beach weather, with long evenings, festivals and the busiest ferries and islands during the January holidays.
March–May
Autumn
Often the most settled weather of the year in March and April, with warm seas and quieter islands; cooler and wetter by May.
June–August
Winter
Mild but wet and windy, with rare frosts; museums, food and lower hotel rates make up for shorter days.
September–November
Spring
Blossom, lambs and lengthening days with changeable weather; pōhutukawa start flowering red in November.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Sea | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24°C | 16°C | 8 | 20°C | 14.4 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| February | 25°C | 17°C | 7 | 21°C | 13.5 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| March | 23°C | 15°C | 8 | 20°C | 12.4 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| April | 21°C | 13°C | 10 | 19°C | 11.2 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| May | 18°C | 11°C | 12 | 17°C | 10.2 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| June | 16°C | 9°C | 15 | 15°C | 9.6 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| July | 15°C | 8°C | 16 | 14°C | 9.9 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| August | 15°C | 8°C | 15 | 14°C | 10.7 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| September | 17°C | 10°C | 13 | 14°C | 11.9 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| October | 18°C | 11°C | 12 | 15°C | 13.1 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| November | 20°C | 13°C | 10 | 17°C | 14.2 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| December | 22°C | 15°C | 10 | 19°C | 14.7 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | ASB Classic tennis tournament (usually early January); Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta — harbour sailing (Monday nearest 29 January) |
| February | Waitangi Day — national day, with events around the city (6 February); Auckland Lantern Festival (around Lunar New Year, usually February or March) |
| March | Auckland Arts Festival (usually March); Pasifika Festival — Pacific culture and food (usually March, in most years) |
| April | ANZAC Day dawn service at Auckland Museum (25 April) |
| May | Auckland Writers Festival (usually May) |
| June | Matariki — Māori New Year public holiday (date varies, June or July) |
| July | New Zealand International Film Festival (usually July–August) |
| October | Auckland Diwali Festival (usually October or November); Auckland Marathon (usually late October or early November) |
| November | Santa Parade on Queen Street (usually late November or early December) |
| December | New Year's Eve fireworks from the Sky Tower (31 December) |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in May–September, and the sights are quietest in May–September.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Summer | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Autumn | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Winter | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Spring | Layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Auckland?
The best time to visit Auckland is February to April, when the weather is warm and settled, the sea is at its warmest and the summer-holiday crowds have gone. December and January are sunny but busy and expensive. Winter (June to August) is mild but wet, with the lowest prices.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Auckland?
Usually in May–September. Cooler and wetter, with crisp clear days between showers and lower hotel rates.
+What is the rainiest month in Auckland?
July, with about 16 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Auckland get?
The warmest month, February, averages highs of 25°C (77°F) and lows of 17°C (63°F).