The short answer
- Month
- August
- Verdict
- Good
- Season
- Late winter
- North Island
- Mild, about 16°C
- South Island
- Cold, the deepest snow
- Crowds
- Moderate
August often has the deepest snow of the season and plenty of crisp, sunny days. With school holidays over, it's a good month for a ski trip or a quiet winter tour.
New Zealand in August at a glance
The map opens on August; tap another month to compare.
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August
Still winter in the south, with good skiing and clear, cold days. The north is mild but wetter.
- Rotorua and Taupo (mixed)geysers, Hobbiton, Waitomo
- West Coast (mixed)Franz Josef and Fox glaciers, wet all year
- Mount Cook and Tekapo (mixed)clear skies, cold winter nights
- Queenstown and Wanaka (mixed)great in summer, skiing in winter
- Northland (wet or difficult)Bay of Islands, beaches
- Tongariro (wet or difficult)the Alpine Crossing, hikers' conditions
- Abel Tasman (wet or difficult)beaches and coastal walking
- Fiordland (wet or difficult)Milford Sound, Great Walks season October to April
August across the year
How August compares with the rest of the year. The ringed column is August.
Swipe sideways to see all 12 months →
| Region | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Island touringRotorua, Waitomo, Hobbiton | Best | Best | Best | Best | Mixed | Mixed | Mixed | Mixed | Mixed | Best | Best | Best |
| Tongariro Crossingfor hikers without alpine skills | Best | Best | Best | Mixed | Mixed | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult | Mixed | Best | Best |
| Great Walksfull hut service late October to April | Best | Best | Best | Mixed | Mixed | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult | Mixed | Mixed | Best | Best |
| Queenstown and Mount Cooktouring and day walks | Best | Best | Best | Best | Mixed | Mixed | Mixed | Mixed | Mixed | Best | Best | Best |
| Fiordland and Milfordwet all year, best in summer | Best | Best | Best | Mixed | Mixed | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult | Mixed | Mixed | Best | Best |
| SkiingQueenstown, Wanaka, Ruapehu | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult | Mixed | Best | Best | Best | Mixed | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult |
Where to go in August
- Ski fields: Often the best snow cover of the year.
- Wellington: The city's food festival, usually in August.
- Lake Tekapo: Stargazing in long, clear nights.
What to avoid in August
- Long self drive days in the south: daylight is still short.
Events and holidays in August
- Wellington on a Plate: A city wide food festival, usually in August.
Weather in August
Average highs, lows and rainfall, with August highlighted.
Average daily high / low and monthly rainfall
| Month | AucklandBay of Islands and Rotorua are similar | ChristchurchCanterbury plains, Lake Tekapo is colder | QueenstownWanaka is similar | Milford Soundone of the wettest places on Earth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 24° / 16°75 mm | 23° / 12°45 mm | 22° / 10°75 mm | 19° / 10°720 mm |
| Feb | 25° / 17°65 mm | 22° / 12°45 mm | 22° / 10°60 mm | 19° / 10°500 mm |
| Mar | 23° / 15°90 mm | 20° / 10°50 mm | 19° / 8°65 mm | 18° / 9°580 mm |
| Apr | 21° / 13°100 mm | 17° / 7°50 mm | 15° / 5°65 mm | 15° / 7°520 mm |
| May | 18° / 11°115 mm | 14° / 4°65 mm | 11° / 2°75 mm | 12° / 4°560 mm |
| Jun | 16° / 9°130 mm | 11° / 2°60 mm | 8° / 0°65 mm | 10° / 2°480 mm |
| Jul | 15° / 8°140 mm | 11° / 1°65 mm | 7° / -1°60 mm | 9° / 1°420 mm |
| Aug | 16° / 8°120 mm | 12° / 2°60 mm | 9° / 0°60 mm | 10° / 2°450 mm |
| Sep | 17° / 10°100 mm | 15° / 4°45 mm | 12° / 2°60 mm | 12° / 4°520 mm |
| Oct | 19° / 11°90 mm | 17° / 6°45 mm | 15° / 4°75 mm | 14° / 5°600 mm |
| Nov | 20° / 13°80 mm | 19° / 8°50 mm | 18° / 6°70 mm | 16° / 7°560 mm |
| Dec | 22° / 15°90 mm | 21° / 11°55 mm | 20° / 8°85 mm | 18° / 9°650 mm |
Rounded long term averages. Blue shading marks the wetter months. Individual years can be hotter, colder or wetter.
A 10 day trip for August
Our suggestion for August: Rotorua and Tongariro (with a guided winter walk), then Queenstown for skiing. Every trip can be made private, or try your own route in our New Zealand trip planner.
Tip: Late August is a sweet spot for skiing: good snow, fewer families and longer days.
Want a August trip made for you?
A local specialist will send a free itinerary and price for 10 days, built around your dates.
Other months
Thinking about July or September? See New Zealand in July and New Zealand in September, or compare every season in our guide to the best time to visit New Zealand.
Rather have a trip to New Zealand made just for you?
Answer a few quick questions and a local specialist will send you a free, no-obligation itinerary and price.
Frequently asked questions
Is August good for skiing in New Zealand?
Usually one of the best months, with the deepest snow and fewer crowds than July.
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