City in Bay of Plenty, New Zealand
Rotorua weather by month and the best time to visit
When to go to Rotorua
Summer and early autumn are warm for lakes and biking; winter is cooler but good for hot pools. Rain falls year-round, so pack layers.
Rotorua weather by month
Average daily high, rainfall and conditions.
- Jan23°72 mm
- Feb23°73 mm
- Mar21°80 mm
- Apr18°104 mm
- May15°103 mm
- Jun12°112 mm
- Jul11°113 mm
- Aug12°98 mm
- Sep14°82 mm
- Oct16°81 mm
- Nov18°57 mm
- Dec21°96 mm
Monthly averages
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Humidity | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 23°C74°F | 14°C57°F | 72 mm | 71% | Pleasant |
| February | 23°C74°F | 14°C58°F | 73 mm | 73% | Pleasant |
| March | 21°C70°F | 13°C55°F | 80 mm | 75% | Pleasant |
| April | 18°C64°F | 11°C51°F | 104 mm | 80% | Pleasant |
| May | 15°C58°F | 9°C47°F | 103 mm | 85% | Cool |
| June | 12°C54°F | 7°C44°F | 112 mm | 88% | Cool |
| July | 11°C52°F | 6°C42°F | 113 mm | 88% | Cool |
| August | 12°C54°F | 6°C43°F | 98 mm | 86% | Cool |
| September | 14°C57°F | 7°C45°F | 82 mm | 84% | Cool |
| October | 16°C60°F | 8°C47°F | 81 mm | 80% | Cool |
| November | 18°C65°F | 10°C50°F | 57 mm | 76% | Pleasant |
| December | 21°C69°F | 13°C55°F | 96 mm | 75% | Pleasant |
Best months across New Zealand
| Place | Best months | Warmest month |
|---|---|---|
| Auckland | Dec–Mar | Feb (24°C) |
| Queenstown | Jul–Aug, Dec–Mar | Jan (20°C) |
| Wellington | Jan–Apr | Feb (19°C) |
| Christchurch | Dec–Mar | Jan (24°C) |
| Rotorua | Nov–Apr | Jan (23°C) |
| Wanaka | Jul–Aug, Dec–Mar | Jan (21°C) |
| Taupo | Nov–Apr | Jan (24°C) |
| Bay of Islands | Dec–Apr | Feb (24°C) |
| Milford Sound | Nov–Apr | Feb (16°C) |
| Lake Tekapo | Nov–Apr | Feb (22°C) |
| Coromandel | Dec–Apr | Feb (24°C) |
| Tauranga | Dec–Apr | Feb (23°C) |
| Dunedin | Dec–Mar | Jan (16°C) |
| Nelson | Dec–Apr | Feb (25°C) |
| Waiheke Island | Dec–Mar | Feb (24°C) |
| Kaikoura | Dec–Mar | Jan (20°C) |
| Franz Josef | Dec–Apr | Feb (19°C) |
Quick answers
What is the best month to visit Rotorua?
Nov–Apr. Summer and early autumn are warm for lakes and biking; winter is cooler but good for hot pools. Rain falls year-round, so pack layers.
When is the rainy season in Rotorua?
Rain peaks in July with about 113 mm. No month averages 150 mm or more.
What is the hottest month in Rotorua?
January, with average highs of 23°C (74°F).
How cold does Rotorua get?
The coolest nights are in July, averaging 6°C (42°F).
More about Rotorua
Going to Rotorua solo?
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Sources
Climate averages are modelled from NASA POWER (MERRA-2) for 2001–2020 at about 50 km resolution, so coasts and valleys can differ a little. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.