New Zealand weather in January

Is January a good time to visit New Zealand?

January is a fantastic time to visit New Zealand. With high temperatures and long nights, summer is in full swing. Hit the beach, see the sights, or just soak up the good vibes of festival season. January is peak holiday time for both New Zealand locals and international visitors, so it’s wise to book well in advance for accommodation and flights. But with a lot happening and great weather around the country, it won’t take long to see why January is such a popular time to visit New Zealand!

What is the weather like in New Zealand in January?

In most parts of New Zealand, January is one of the hottest, driest and sunniest months of the year. Temperatures tend to be hotter the further north you are, with daylight hours and day lengths getting longer the further south you go. Wherever you choose to visit, though, you can typically expect much lower rainfall than at other times of the year, and you’re sure to enjoy plenty of sunshine!

Average temperatures in New Zealand in January

January is arguably the best time to visit New Zealand for a summer holiday. Temperatures are typically warm across the board, and quite hot in some places. Loosely speaking, the northern parts of the country (especially around Auckland, near the top of the North Island) have higher average temperatures. But areas in the South Island – like the Canterbury Plains (around Christchurch) and subalpine regions of Central Otago (near Queenstown) – can also see scorching temperatures during January. 

Depending where you plan to visit, here’s a rough idea of what average temperatures to expect when travelling in New Zealand during January.
 

Average sunshine hours in New Zealand in January

Generally speaking, days are sunny and long in New Zealand throughout January. Depending where you plan to visit on your New Zealand itinerary, you might expect to encounter a bit more cloud cover than in other areas. January is a particularly good time to visit Rotorua or Wellington, with nearly 250 sunshine hours throughout the month. However, January is typically the sunniest month of the year in New Zealand wherever you go. So slap on some sunscreen and enjoy!

To help give you an idea of what to expect, here’s an outline of average sunshine hours and median daylight lengths across New Zealand in January.

Average rainfall in New Zealand in January

Average rainfall to expect in New Zealand during January varies depending on which part of the country you plan to visit. Although January is, overall, a much drier month across New Zealand than other times of year, some areas can still expect significant periods of rain – especially in the subtropical far north and the west coast of both islands. Conversely, other areas like Canterbury (Christchurch), Marlborough and Hawke’s Bay have extremely low rainfall during January. 

Best things to do in New Zealand in January

Hit the beach

High temperatures and sunny days make January peak beach holiday season around New Zealand, with locals hitting the coast, lakes and rivers in full force. Stroll the black sands of Auckland’s Piha, soak up some sun at Coromandel’s Hahei, kayak around the coves of Nelson’s Abel Tasman National Park, or enjoy stunning sunset views from the West Coast’s Hokitika Beach.

Enjoy festival season

Many local councils and organisations take advantage of January’s gorgeous weather to organise a huge number of cultural exhibits, food festivals and outdoor public events during January. From the Katikati Avocado Festival to the Auckland Folk Festival, Rangiora’s Muscle Car Madness to Nelson’s International Buskers Festival, you’re bound to find something to suit every taste during January in New Zealand. 

See the sights of “Wellywood”

January is one of the sunniest, driest and hottest months of the year in Wellington, so you’ll have every chance to make the most of it. Head to the buzzing waterfront and catch a show in the arts and cultural precinct, visit New Zealand’s National Museum at Te Papa, see stunning views from atop Mt. Victoria, or take a tour of Wellington’s many famous Lord of the Rings movie sites.

Ready to go?

If you’re ready to start planning your perfect New Zealand holiday, then First Light Travel can help piece it together. Have a look at their New Zealand travel guide, or reach out and make an enquiry. They will provide a personalized travel coordinator to help you put together your ideal New Zealand travel itinerary, completely free of charge until you’re ready to book!