Month guide · Auckland · New Zealand
Auckland in December
What December is really like in Auckland: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Bruce Hayward, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
December is one of the best months to visit Auckland. Expect average highs of 22°C (72°F), lows of 15°C (59°F), about 10 rainy days and roughly 14.7 hours of daylight. Early summer and the start of the holiday season; pōhutukawa in full bloom and the city empties after Christmas as locals head to the beach.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 22°C (72°F) / 15°C (59°F)
- Rainy days
- About 10
- Daylight
- About 14.7 hours
- Sea temperature
- 19°C (66°F)
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in December
December is the 4th-warmest month in Auckland: days average 22°C (72°F) against a yearly average high of 20°C (68°F), and nights fall to about 15°C (59°F). Rain falls on roughly 10 of its 31 days. Compared with November (20°C (68°F)), December is warmer; by January highs climb to around 24°C (75°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 05:56
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 20:36
- Daylight
- About 14.7 hours
- Sea
- 19°C (66°F)
Autumn (March–May). Often the most settled weather of the year in March and April, with warm seas and quieter islands; cooler and wetter by May.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 4 for crowds (the peak is January at 5) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in January). Book accommodation early: December is one of the pricier months.
Events in December
- New Year's Eve fireworks from the Sky Tower (31 December)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in December
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
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Museum · Western Springs
MOTAT – Museum of Transport and Technology
Next to Western Springs park and the zoo, MOTAT displays trams, steam engines, aircraft including a Short Solent flying boat and a Lancaster bomber, and hands-on science exhibits.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
- History
Museum · City Centre
New Zealand Maritime Museum
Check whether a heritage harbour sailing is running on the day; it is a cheap way onto the water.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Rainy day
- Kids
Viewpoint · Mount Eden
Maungawhau / Mount Eden
At 196 metres, Maungawhau is the highest natural point on the Auckland isthmus, with a 50-metre-deep grassed crater, Te Ipu-a-Mataaho, and terraces left by Māori pā settlement.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Iconic
- Outdoors
- History
Island · Hauraki Gulf
Waiheke Island
Book winery lunches ahead in summer and at weekends, and plan your return around the busy late-afternoon ferries.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Couples
- Food
- Outdoors
- Views
- Iconic
What to pack
For highs near 22°C, lows near 15°C and 10 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit Auckland?
One of the best months to visit Auckland, with a notable event on the calendar. The other best months are February–April. Compare every month.
Auckland in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Auckland?
It is one of the best months to visit Auckland. Early summer and the start of the holiday season; pōhutukawa in full bloom and the city empties after Christmas as locals head to the beach.
+How warm is Auckland in December?
Average highs are around 22°C (72°F) and lows around 15°C (59°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Auckland in December?
Expect rain on about 10 days of the month.