New Zealand Weather in September

Is September a good time to visit New Zealand?

The official beginning of Spring, September is a great time to visit New Zealand if you want to enjoy some memorable experiences without the crowds (or costs!) of peak tourist season. The weather is in flux, and what weather to expect depends on whether you are in the far north, the deep south, or the mountains. 

It doesn’t really matter where you are, though, as the combination of weather patterns across New Zealand in September means you have options: you can still enjoy the winter ski season while also dusting off your hiking boots and getting out into the great outdoors!

What is the weather like in New Zealand in September?

September sees a combination of winter weather and springtime elements. The start of the month, in particular, can still be cold and wet in some places. However, temperatures ramp up throughout the month, along with sunshine hours, while rainfall is, overall, on the decline. 

Average temperatures in New Zealand in September

In general, temperatures are mild in New Zealand in September. In the South Island and the mountains, early September can still have some frosty nights and cold days, hovering around 0°C-5°C (32°F-41°F). As the month progresses, however, temperatures rise and, by the end of September, daily highs above or around 20°C (68°F) are more and more common the further north you go. 

Here is what the average temperatures across New Zealand in September look like:

Average sunshine hours in New Zealand in September

September in New Zealand sees daylight lengths getting longer and the sun starting to creep out of its winter gloom. You can expect over five hours of sunshine a day in most places, with a bit of rain in places like Auckland limiting the number of total sunshine hours compared with drier areas like Christchurch.

Average rainfall in New Zealand in September

Much like the temperature rising throughout the month of September, so too does the tail-end of the winter rainy season (particularly in the north) taper off towards the end of September. For the month overall, rainfall remains lower in leeward (typically eastern) regions like Christchurch, while the number of total wet days to expect in Auckland, Rotorua and Wellington decreases as the month goes on.

In total, here’s what to expect from average rainfall across New Zealand’s main centers in September:

Best things to do in New Zealand in September

Outdoor activities

September is one of the best times to visit New Zealand if you want to enjoy outdoor activities without the peak-season crowds. The weather means you have a range of choices during September, so you can really do it all: in the far south and alpine regions, the last month of the winter ski season is still going; on the coast and further north, however, temperatures are nice and mild for hiking, cycling, bushwalking, or even getting out on the water on a kayak, boat or surfboard. 

Spring blossoms

September marks the start of Spring in New Zealand, and there’s a lot for garden lovers to see (and smell) at this time. Visit Auckland’s Cornwall Park, Wellington’s Botanic Gardens, Nelson’s Miyazu Gardens or Christchurch’s Hagley Park for stunning cherry blossoms. Stroll the gorgeous Hanmer Springs Forest to see it carpeted in a blanket of bluebells. Spot elegant camellias coming out in the Dunedin Botanic Gardens. Or spot magnolias and daffodils poking out from residential gardens, public parks and green spaces everywhere.

Eat Taste Central Festival

As a way of brightening up the “hungry gap” between winter and summer, dozens of Central Otago cafes, restaurants, wineries and food producers band together in September to create a celebration of the region’s exquisite local produce and dining scene. Enjoy events, tastings, and unique experiences designed to promote the best this bountiful region has to offer.

Ready to go?

If you want to start planning a trip to New Zealand in September, First Light Travel has everything you need to get started. They have a number of prescribed self-drive NZ tour itineraries, as well as a dedicated NZ Travel Blog and Travel Guide to answer the most common questions about visiting New Zealand. You can also contact their NZ travel experts directly to ask any questions, and they can help you put together your own, customized New Zealand travel itinerary.