Weather in New Zealand for May 2025
In general, the average temperature in New Zealand at the beginning of May is 18.6 °C. As the month progressed, temperatures tended to noticeably cool down, reaching an average of 16.1 °C by the end of May.
New Zealand experiences heavy rainfall in May, with over 20 rainy days and an average total precipitation 129.3 mm.
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New Zealand in May average weather
| Mon. | Tue. | Wed. | Thu. | Fri. | Sat. | Sun. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1  19° | 2  19° | 3 18° | 4  18° | |||
| 5 19° | 6  19° | 7  18° | 8 18° | 9  18° | 10 17° | 11 16° |
| 12 16° | 13 17° | 14 16° | 15 19° | 16 18° | 17 18° | 18 17° |
| 19 17° | 20 16° | 21 17° | 22 16° | 23 16° | 24 17° | 25 16° |
| 26 16° | 27 16° | 28  16° | 29 16° | 30 16° | 31 17° |
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Temperatures trend during May in New Zealand
May weather day by day
| Date | Weather | Temperatures | Rain | UV | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 May | Partly cloudy | 19° /14° | 6.8 mm | 5 | |
| 2 May | Sunny | 19° /13° | 0.5 mm | 5 | |
| 3 May | Partly cloudy | 18° /13° | 4.2 mm | 5 | |
| 4 May | Patchy rain possible | 18° /13° | 13.3 mm | 5 | |
| 5 May | Sunny | 19° /13° | 2 mm | 5 | |
| 6 May | Overcast | 19° /13° | 4.1 mm | 5 | |
| 7 May | Cloudy | 18° /13° | 0.2 mm | 5 | |
| 8 May | Patchy rain possible | 18° /12° | 0.4 mm | 6 | |
| 9 May | Moderate or heavy rain shower | 18° /13° | 17.1 mm | 5 | |
| 10 May | Patchy rain possible | 17° /11° | 1.7 mm | 5 | |
| 11 May | Sunny | 16° /10° | 1.8 mm | 5 | |
| 12 May | Moderate rain at times | 16° /9° | 2 mm | 5 | |
| 13 May | Overcast | 17° /10° | 0.4 mm | 5 | |
| 14 May | Patchy rain possible | 16° /10° | 0.3 mm | 5 | |
| 15 May | Patchy rain possible | 19° /12° | 6.3 mm | 5 | |
| 16 May | Patchy rain possible | 18° /13° | 0.4 mm | 5 | |
| 17 May | Patchy rain possible | 18° /12° | 1.2 mm | 5 | |
| 18 May | Overcast | 17° /12° | 2.9 mm | 5 | |
| 19 May | Moderate or heavy rain shower | 17° /12° | 20 mm | 5 | |
| 20 May | Patchy rain possible | 16° /12° | 2.6 mm | 5 | |
| 21 May | Patchy rain possible | 17° /12° | 5.3 mm | 5 | |
| 22 May | Patchy rain possible | 16° /12° | 3.9 mm | 5 | |
| 23 May | Patchy rain possible | 16° /10° | 1.4 mm | 5 | |
| 24 May | Overcast | 17° /11° | 0.7 mm | 5 | |
| 25 May | Overcast | 16° /11° | 0.6 mm | 5 | |
| 26 May | Cloudy | 16° /11° | 0.5 mm | 5 | |
| 27 May | Sunny | 16° /10° | 0.8 mm | 5 | |
| 28 May | Heavy rain at times | 16° /12° | 6.8 mm | 5 | |
| 29 May | Heavy rain at times | 16° /12° | 8.9 mm | 5 | |
| 30 May | Patchy rain possible | 16° /12° | 10.5 mm | 5 | |
| 31 May | Partly cloudy | 17° /12° | 1.5 mm | 5 | |
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Guide for New Zealand in May
In May, New Zealand experiences a transition from autumn to winter, resulting in varied weather patterns across the country.
At the beginning of the month, the North Island typically sees mild temperatures with occasional showers, while the South Island may experience cooler temperatures with the possibility of early snowfall in the Southern Alps.
In the North Island, cities like Auckland and Wellington can expect temperatures around 15° at the start of May, with some crisp mornings and mild afternoons.
Meanwhile, the South Island's Christchurch and Queenstown may experience cooler temperatures around 10° with a chance of frost in the mornings.
As the month progresses, the weather tends to become cooler and more unpredictable. By the end of May, temperatures in the North Island could drop to around 12° with an increase in rainfall, particularly in regions like Taranaki and Hawke's Bay.
In the South Island, cities such as Dunedin and Invercargill may experience temperatures around 8° with a higher likelihood of frost and occasional wintry showers.
Overall, May in New Zealand showcases the transition towards winter, with varying weather conditions depending on the region.
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New Zealand in May - FAQ
What to pack to New Zealand in May?
As you prepare for your trip to New Zealand in May, it's important to consider the typical weather patterns for the time of year. Below is a carefully tailored packing list to ensure that your time in New Zealand, during May, is comfortable and enjoyable, regardless of the weather conditions.
- Clothing
- Warm Clothing: Sweaters, hoodies, long pants
- Rain Gear: Lightweight, waterproof clothing
- Footwear
- Waterproof Shoes
- Accessories
- Scarves: To protect you from the cold wind
- Gloves/Mittens: Essential for cold weather
- Warm Hats: Warm hats for insulation in cold weather
- Umbrellas/Raincoats: For rainy days
May rainfall patterns in New Zealand
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