May is a quiet month for visitors to New Zealand, the low season has started with bargains and travel deals offering spontaneity to the holiday plans.
Is it your first time in New Zealand and not sure what to do? Check out nz best things to do and let’s sort out which is the best month to visit to tick off your bucket list holiday activities.
What is happening in New Zealand in May?
In NZ the start of May continues hints of autumn leaf foliage colour. By mid May winter is definitely making its presence felt. May tourism numbers are low at the beginning of the month with an increase towards the end of the month as the Northern hemisphere summer kicks in. Places such as Queenstown, Wanaka, Central Otago and Lake Tekapo / Aoraki Mt Cook (South Island) are recommended with the days crisp and clear creating great photo opportunities. The beginning of May is shoulder season with spontaneous plans as an option. Although pre-book ferry crossings, flights and rental vehicles to get a better travel deal and ensure logistics is in place.
- Bluff Oyster Festival celebrates the season’s oyster harvest with music, food and wine
- Queens Birthday weekend is a public holiday with snap travel deals and specials for the locals, (1st Sunday of June) build some spontaneity into your plans to take advantage of the deals on offer
- Auckland Writers Festival is a five day event in May
- Handmade festival Wellington while not a regular annual festival for crafty souls it is one for the bucket list with Wellington a great location for indoor holiday activities
North Island NZ April monthly average temperature:
- Average low 7°c 45°F
- Average high 20°c 68°F
South Island NZ April monthly average temperature:
- Average low 4°c
- Average high 18°c
Check out New Zealand average temperatures for the month you are planning to visit either the North or South Island. Or anywhere in between. The most reliable weather forecast service is NZ Met Service.
Weather in New Zealand is four seasons in one day. Aotearoa New Zealand is several skinny narrow islands isolated in the southwest Pacific Ocean. Glorious day throughout the year is a promise together with the option of rain throughout the year.
Seasons are the opposite to Europe, United Kingdom, North America (northern hemisphere) creating a great winter escape for our neighbours in the Far East and beyond. Peak season is summer, December to February.
Travel pack information
- NEW ZEALAND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
- Monthly temperature data is sourced from Monthly | NIWA. For visitors fascinated by climate change data NIWA provides a rich publicly available resource to browse
- Source The uniqueness of New Zealand plants an excellent school resource handy for visitors to help understand NZ’s unique biodiversity
