The short answer
- Month
- February
- Verdict
- Excellent
- Season
- Summer
- North Island
- Warmest month, about 25°C
- South Island
- Warm and settled
- Crowds
- Busy, easing after school returns
February is many New Zealanders' favourite month: summer weather at its most reliable, warm seas and slightly fewer crowds once school starts again early in the month.
New Zealand in February at a glance
The map opens on February; tap another month to compare.
Choose your month
February
Usually the warmest, most settled month. Great for walks, lakes and beaches, and still busy.
- Northland (best)Bay of Islands, beaches
- Rotorua and Taupo (best)geysers, Hobbiton, Waitomo
- Tongariro (best)the Alpine Crossing, hikers' conditions
- Abel Tasman (best)beaches and coastal walking
- West Coast (best)Franz Josef and Fox glaciers, wet all year
- Mount Cook and Tekapo (best)clear skies, cold winter nights
- Queenstown and Wanaka (best)great in summer, skiing in winter
- Fiordland (best)Milford Sound, Great Walks season October to April
February across the year
How February compares with the rest of the year. The ringed column is February.
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 February
- Milford Sound and Fiordland: Long days and the best chance of calm weather.
- Tongariro Alpine Crossing: Usually the most stable conditions of the year.
- Marlborough: Vineyards and the Marlborough Sounds near Picton.
What to avoid in February
- Assuming it's quiet: international visitors peak in February.
Events and holidays in February
- Waitangi Day (6 February): New Zealand's national day, with events at the Treaty Grounds in the Bay of Islands.
- Lunar New Year: Sometimes falls in February, with busy flights and attractions.
- Marlborough Wine and Food Festival: Usually in February near Blenheim.
Weather in February
Average highs, lows and rainfall, with February 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 February
Our suggestion for February: the South Island loop: Christchurch, Tekapo, Mount Cook, Wanaka, Queenstown and Milford Sound. Every trip can be made private, or try your own route in our New Zealand trip planner.
Tip: February is ideal for the Great Walks, but huts were booked months ago; look at guided walks if you missed out.
Want a February 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 January or March? See New Zealand in January and New Zealand in March, 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 February the best time to visit New Zealand?
It's one of the best: usually the warmest, most settled weather, with schools back.
Sources we checked
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