New Zealand Weather in March

Is March a good time to visit New Zealand?

March is a wonderful time to visit New Zealand. Combining warm temperatures, plenty of sunny days and lower crowds than peak summer, March makes for a pleasant time to enjoy a New Zealand holiday at your own pace. There are plenty of activities and events going on if you want to get into the action. Or, make the most of the mild temperatures and enjoy the best of New Zealand’s natural beauty on a walk, hike, bike, or boat ride.

What is the weather like in New Zealand in March?

On the whole, the weather in New Zealand in March is warm and mild, with plenty of sunshine and low rainfall compared with other times of year. As always, what to expect from the New Zealand weather in March will depend greatly on where, exactly, you choose to go.

To help give you a better idea of how to plan any prospective New Zealand travel itinerary, here’s a closer look at the average temperatures, sunshine hours and rainfall to expect across March in different locations around New Zealand. 

Average temperatures in New Zealand in March

March is a nice time of year to visit New Zealand, with the heat of peak summer fading but still plenty of warm and hot days. Auckland and the northern part of the North Island, in particular, sees daytime highs regularly above 25°C (77°F) in March, while average lows in the South Island and interior, including Queenstown, can dip below 10°C (50°F) at night.

Average sunshine hours in New Zealand in March

You can expect plenty of sunshine around New Zealand in March, with over six hours on average a day in most places. The days are still relatively long, too, so these sunny days often turn into long, balmy evenings. 

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

Average rainfall in New Zealand in March

March is not an especially rainy month in New Zealand, although major cities like Auckland and Wellington do start to see more rain and wet days than during the summer months of January and February. Areas like Christchurch, Queenstown and Rotorua see about the same amount of rain as earlier in summer. Overall, you can expect the odd shower or two between plenty of clear skies and blue days!

Best things to do in New Zealand in March

Wine tours, tastings, and trails

New Zealand’s world-famous wine production is in full swing during March, with harvests typically beginning around the end of February. Get amongst the action by doing a daylong boat and wine-tasting tour of Waiheke Island, cycling the “Golden Mile” of Marlborough’s wineries near Blenheim, take a trip over the Remutaka Ranges from Wellington to explore Martinborough’s celebrated vineyards, or find a bespoke cellar-door tasting in stunning surroundings at one of Central Otago’s many boutique wineries.

Go hiking

With temperatures still warm but not as scorchingly hot as in previous months, March is a great time to get out and explore New Zealand’s many fabulous hiking trails. Try the famous Tongariro Alpine Crossing, walk to a glacier from Mount Cook Village, take on one of New Zealand’s 10 multi-day Great Walks, or enjoy one of hundreds of other short-loop, half-day, or multi-day hiking trails all across the country.

Visit Rotorua’s volcanic landscapes

With nice weather but smaller crowds, March is a great time to explore the otherworldly volcanic landscapes of Rotorua. Stroll from the city center to see the Pohutu Geyser erupt (to a height of 100 ft!) daily, enjoy the free thermal hot pools of Kuirau Park, cycle the Thermal Bike Trail (Te Ara Ahi), or learn about the long cultural history of the area and its geothermal wonders at ​​Whakarewarewa Māori Village.

Ready to go?

If you’re ready to start planning a trip to New Zealand during March, then FIrst Light Travel can help you do so. With a dedicated New Zealand travel blog and plenty of self-drive New Zealand tour itineraries on their website, you can get a lot of ideas about what to expect when visiting New Zealand. First Light Travel can also help you curate your own personal, customized itinerary for visiting New Zealand. Simply reach out to their customer support team and make an enquiry, free of charge, and they’ll help you start making your New Zealand dream holiday a reality.