New Zealand Weather in April

Is April a good time to visit New Zealand?

April is a great time to visit New Zealand if you want to make the most of late-summer weather and off-season prices. The “shoulder season” weather is still mild in most parts of the country, with days getting shorter in the south and some rain arriving in other areas. Still, you can expect plenty of warm, sunny days. 

The combination of mild weather and lower crowds makes April a particularly good time for exploring New Zealand’s great outdoors without the heat of peak summer. And with plenty of fun events and stunning fall colors to be enjoyed, too, April truly is one of the best times to visit New Zealand.

What is the weather like in New Zealand in April?

April marks the unofficial end of summer in much of New Zealand, and in many places, the weather is in a seasonal, transition stage. Overall, New Zealand weather in April is mild, pleasant and clear. A bit of rain and cloud can appear in some places, and temperatures start to taper off towards the end of the month. However, you can still expect plenty of sunshine and clear days across New Zealand in April.

To help give you a better idea of what to expect when visiting New Zealand in April, here’s a closer look at the average temperatures, sunshine hours and rainfall across the month.

Average temperatures in New Zealand in April

Overall, average temperatures in New Zealand are mild to warm in April. However, with the summer season well and truly winding down at this time, the kind of temperatures to expect differ depending on which parts of the country you plan to visit.

Broadly speaking, in the north of the country, April regularly has daily high temperatures above or around 20°C (77°F). In the South Island and inland regions, however, April marks a sharper drop off towards autumnal temperatures, with lows often dipping below 10°C (50°F).

Average sunshine hours in New Zealand in April

You can expect plenty of sunshine throughout April in New Zealand, with over five hours per day the average in most parts of the country. Some more extreme and southern areas (like Queenstown) start to see the onset of cooler, cloudier weather during this time, and the days are starting to get shorter. Overall, however, April can be a sunny time to visit New Zealand.

Here’s a closer look at average sunshine hours in April around New Zealand:

Average rainfall in New Zealand in April

Typically, April is not a particularly rainy month in New Zealand. Although there are slightly more wet days to be expected than earlier in the summer in some places, April is the last “low rainfall” month for many major regions in New Zealand (such as Auckland), with much lower rainfall than during May and into winter. 

For that reason, although there may be some wet patches, you can still expect relatively low rainfall in places like Christchurch, Wellington and Queenstown, while North Island destinations like Auckland and Rotorua see only slightly higher levels overall.

Best things to do in New Zealand in April

Visit New Zealand’s National Parks

With mild temperatures but rainfall still low and sunshine high, April is a great time for exploring the 30,000 square kilometers (11,600 sq miles) of breathtaking landscapes encompassed within New Zealand’s 14 national parks. Take on Tongariro National Park’s famous Alpine Crossing, kayak around Abel Tasman National Park, spot birdlife alongside New Zealand’s longest navigable river at Whanganui National Park, or explore the glaciers and peaks of Aoraki Mt Cook National Park.

See breathtaking fall colors in Arrowtown

Arrowtown’s pretty main street of restored 19th-century stone cottages, buildings and storefronts is attractive year-round – but particularly so when surrounded by the breathtaking orange-and-brown fall colors during April. Enjoy the Arrowtown Autumn Festival, walk to the Macetown historic gold-mining settlement, or stop along the peaceful Arrow River, passing the spot where Arwen dared the Black Riders to “come and claim him” in Sir Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.

Get a true kiwi experience at the Great New Zealand Muster

Sheep farming and sheep shearing has a long, important history in colonial New Zealand’s history. April provides one of the absolute best times to see this in action, with the Great New Zealand Muster taking place in Te Kūiti (near the famous Waitomo glow-worm caves). Get ready for a fun day of music, food stalls, kids entertainers, and the famous “Running of the Sheep” through Te Kūiti’s main street!

Ready to go?

If you like the sound of visiting New Zealand in April and would like to find out more, reach out to First Light Travel and they can answer any questions or enquiries you might have. With an extensive New Zealand travel guide, a number of self-drive New Zealand tour itineraries to choose from (and the option to cater them to your taste), First Light Travel makes it easy to plan your ideal New Zealand holiday.