The short answer
- Month
- May
- Verdict
- Good
- Season
- Late autumn
- North Island
- Cool, about 18°C
- South Island
- Cold mornings, first snow
- Crowds
- Quiet
May is one of the quietest months, between the autumn colours and the ski season. Expect cool, frosty mornings in the south and lower prices everywhere.
New Zealand in May at a glance
The map opens on May; tap another month to compare.
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May
Late autumn: crisp and quiet. Some tours and Great Walks services wind down; the mountains get their first snow.
- Northland (mixed)Bay of Islands, beaches
- Rotorua and Taupo (mixed)geysers, Hobbiton, Waitomo
- Tongariro (mixed)the Alpine Crossing, hikers' conditions
- Abel Tasman (mixed)beaches and coastal walking
- 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
- Fiordland (mixed)Milford Sound, Great Walks season October to April
May across the year
How May compares with the rest of the year. The ringed column is May.
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 May
- Rotorua and the North Island: Mild weather and hot pools.
- Lake Tekapo: Long, dark nights for stargazing and early southern lights.
- Milford Sound: Snow dusted peaks and few boats.
What to avoid in May
- Great Walks without experience: winter conditions start and huts have no wardens.
Events and holidays in May
- Quiet season: Good deals on tours, campervans and accommodation.
Weather in May
Average highs, lows and rainfall, with May 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 May
Our suggestion for May: Auckland, Waitomo, Hobbiton, Rotorua and Taupo, then fly to Queenstown. Every trip can be made private, or try your own route in our New Zealand trip planner.
Tip: Check that tours and activities still run in May; some move to winter timetables.
Want a May 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 April or June? See New Zealand in April and New Zealand in June, 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 May a good time to visit New Zealand?
Yes for value and quiet, if you don't mind cooler weather and shorter days.
Sources we checked
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