North Island New Zealand Weather in July

Average Temperatures in the North Island in July

Broadly speaking, July is cold across the North Island. However, even in this coldest month of the year, temperatures very rarely get below freezing. And there is much variation in terms of average temperature depending on where in the North Island you are. 

For instance, July is cold in the subalpine and ski region of Taupo, with average low temperatures getting down to 2°C (35.8°F) at night, but daytime highs in Northland, Auckland and Hawke’s Bay in July regularly reach 15°C (59°F) and above. 

Average Sunshine Hours Per day in the North Island in July

With the winter equinox and the shortest day of the year having passed in June, daylight length is on the up again throughout July. However, it is still the middle of winter, and days are comparatively short (especially at the start of the month). This has an impact on the total sunshine hours you can expect in the North Island in July. That said, even in the depths of winter, there are still likely to be lots of pockets of sunshine to be had, depending where you are:

Average rainfall in the North Island in July

Although rainfall levels don’t reach those of other parts of the country further south, generally speaking, July is wet all across the North Island. However, lots of this rainfall comes in buckets, so you can still expect plenty of dry periods to balance out the wet days. Furthermore, in places like Taupo, a lot of precipitation falls as snow.

Best Things to do in the North Island in July 

Taste New Zealand’s best vineyards and wineries…in Auckland

New Zealand is world-famous for its wine production, and a few regions in particular. The problem for anybody visiting New Zealand for a limited time is that those regions – from Central Otago, in the deep south, to the central North Island – are not necessarily so close together. Don’t worry, though, there is a solution: Winetopia. Taking place in Auckland each July, Winetopia brings the very best of New Zealand wine to its biggest city, with dozens of events, tastings, and pop-ups scattered around the Supercity for a wonderful, wine-soaked weekend.

Learn about traditional Māori culture in Rotorua

New Zealand has deep ancestral connections with Polynesia and a rich indigenous Māori culture. July is arguably the best time of year to learn more about it, with the celebrations and traditions around Matariki (a.k.a. The Māori New Year), a public holiday in New Zealand, drawing to a close. Rotorua, with its strong and accessible Māori heritage, is a great place to experience or learn more about this. You can also visit the active, ancient mud pools of Wai-o-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, enjoy a traditional hangi (earth-oven steamed meal) at Te Pā Tū, and see cultural performances at Te Huia. 

Get ready to go

Like the sound of a North Island holiday in July? Take a look at the different North Island tour packages and self-drive itinerary options provided by First Light Travel. 

Contact FLT’s travel advisers directly, online, to customise your own version. If you still have questions, the many articles on FLT’s dedicated New Zealand travel blog could help to answer them.

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