New Zealand Weather in May

Is May a good time to visit New Zealand?

May is a brilliant time to visit New Zealand, especially if you want to spend less or travel on a budget. May is the quietest and cheapest month to travel in New Zealand, with lower flight, accommodation and rental prices than other times of year. There are also much smaller crowds than other seasons, which is a major drawcard for many visitors. Temperatures start to get colder and days shorter throughout the month; but it can still be warm and mild, particularly in the north. 

What is the weather like in New Zealand in May?

May is a true shoulder season in New Zealand, with the heat of summer having passed and the winter snow yet to arrive. In many ways, May could be seen as a kind of “Goldilocks Season” in New Zealand – not too hot, not too cold. For some people, that may be just right!

Like always, the kind of weather to expect in New Zealand in May depends a lot on where you’ll be. Broadly speaking, the North Island is warmer and wetter at this time than the South Island, which starts getting a lot cooler.

Here’s a closer look at what temperatures, sunshine hours and rainfall to expect from New Zealand weather in May.

Average temperatures in New Zealand in May

The average temperatures across New Zealand in May see a significant drop off from the months prior. May is the last month of Fall/Autumn, and temperatures start to drop towards winter levels by the end of the month (particularly in the South Island and alpine regions).

Overall, you can expect average temperatures above 10°C (77°F) all across the North Island, with daytime highs still pushing above 15-20°C (59-68°F) in the far north. In the South Island, meanwhile, you can expect average temperatures below 10°C (77°F), wth nightly lows dropping well below 5°C (41°F) in some places.

Average sunshine hours in New Zealand in May

The number of sunshine hours across New Zealand in May is affected by several factors. First of all: the days are getting shorter, especially in the bottom half of the South Island, so places like Queenstown (which can also see cloudy weather in the mountains at this time) see less than three hours of sunshine, on average, per day. Further north and outside the mountains, though, you can still expect up to five hours of sunshine per day, depending where you go.

Average rainfall in New Zealand in May

May in New Zealand is a transitional season, and the rainfall patterns change greatly depending where you are. Broadly speaking, most areas receive more rain in winter than summer, and May heralds the beginning of that with higher levels of wet days and total rainfall in the North Island. At the same time, however, rainfall remains relatively low in destinations like Christchurch, Queenstown, and around the South Island. 

Here’s a closer look at rainfall and wet days across New Zealand in May, by location:

Best things to do in New Zealand in May

Plan a road trip

May’s combination of smaller crowds, lower costs, and temperatures that aren’t yet wintry make it one of the best times to visit New Zealand for a road trip. Rental prices are low, so hire a campervan or car and design your own self-drive itinerary of New Zealand’s best sites – many of which you’ll most likely have to yourself at this time!

Go stargazing

As days get shorter and winter approaches, New Zealand’s night skies become even more breathtaking in May than at other times of year. Combine that with smaller crowds limiting any potential light pollution, and you’ve got one of the best times to settle under the stars and spot the Aurora Australis (“Southern Lights”) and more from one of New Zealand’s multiple official Dark Sky Reserves.

Bluff Oyster & Food Festival

With days getting shorter and colder, it seems odd that a tiny township at the bottom of the South Island might be the best place to be in New Zealand in May. But Bluff’s legendary Oyster Festival certainly makes you think so. Taking place every May, this iconic institution showcases the local delicacy alongside other sumptuous seafood and delicious local produce. It’s a fun, noisy day of live music, oyster-eating competitions, food stalls, and uniquely Southland hospitality and cheer.

Ready to go?

If you want to start planning a trip to New Zealand in May, head over to First Light Travel to help you with everything you might want or need to know. They have a number of self-drive NZ itineraries and tours to give you an idea of where to go and what to see. They also have a full New Zealand travel guide and New Zealand travel blog, which answer many FAQs from fellow visitors. If you want to create your own personalized, custom itinerary, simply reach out to FLT’s travel experts, free of charge, and make an enquiry.