New Zealand in May – Things to Do & Reasons to Visit

Is it your first time in New Zealand and not sure what to do? Check out Best Bits – Things to Do as you sort out the best month to visit New Zealand.

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.

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.

The Remarkables, gondola ride view, Queenstown

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

@Auckland Writers Festival

Autumn in Queenstown

Jet Boating Kawarau River, Queenstown

Queenstown

Plimmer and his dog statue, The Plimmer steps, Lambton Quay, Wellington, Wellington Region, North Island

National art gallery and Dominion museum building in Wellington

Te Papa, National Museum, Wellington

Wellington Museum heritage building, Wellington

Ornate Edwardian Baroque style spherical clock in Old Shopping Bank Arcade, Wellington

Mount Taranaki in autumn light

WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE IN NEW ZEALAND IN MAY?

North Island NZ May monthly average temperature:

Average low +5°c
Average high +18°c

South Island NZ May monthly average temperature:

Average low +1°c
Average high +15°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.

NEW ZEALAND CLIMATE, WEATHER AND SEASONS ADDS A RICHNESS TO YOUR HOLIDAY

Four seasons, four opportunities to experience what New Zealand has to offer visitors. The climate, the daily weather forecast and the distinct seasons add to the rich palate of attractions from spring festivals to winter ski resort activities.

Find out more

Storm sky with dramatic lighting in Waipawa, Hawkes Bay

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

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