Month guide · Auckland · New Zealand
Auckland in May
What May is really like in Auckland: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
May is a good-value shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 18°C (64°F), lows of 11°C (52°F), about 12 rainy days and roughly 10.2 hours of daylight. Cooler and wetter, with crisp clear days between showers and lower hotel rates.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 18°C (64°F) / 11°C (52°F)
- Rainy days
- About 12
- Daylight
- About 10.2 hours
- Sea temperature
- 17°C (63°F)
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in May
May is the 7th-warmest month in Auckland: days average 18°C (64°F) against a yearly average high of 20°C (68°F), and nights fall to about 11°C (52°F). Rain falls on roughly 12 of its 31 days. Compared with April (21°C (70°F)), May is cooler; by June highs drop to around 16°C (61°F).
- Sunrise (15 May)
- About 07:12
- Sunset (15 May)
- About 17:22
- Daylight
- About 10.2 hours
- Sea
- 17°C (63°F)
Winter (June–August). Mild but wet and windy, with rare frosts; museums, food and lower hotel rates make up for shorter days.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, May rates 2 for crowds (the peak is January at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in January). That makes May one of the better-value months to book.
Events in May
- Auckland Writers Festival (usually May)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in May
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Aquarium · Tamaki Drive
Kelly Tarlton's Sea Life Aquarium
Combine it with the waterfront walk or bike ride along Tamaki Drive to Mission Bay.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
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
What to pack
For highs near 18°C, lows near 11°C and 12 wet days: layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is May a good time to visit Auckland?
A good-value shoulder-season month, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, February–April and December are better overall. Compare every month.
Auckland in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is May a good time to visit Auckland?
It is a good-value shoulder-season month. Cooler and wetter, with crisp clear days between showers and lower hotel rates.
+How warm is Auckland in May?
Average highs are around 18°C (64°F) and lows around 11°C (52°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Auckland in May?
Expect rain on about 12 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.