Weather in New Zealand in August
August in New Zealand is cool outdoor weather: usable if you dress for it, not a beach brief.
A country pin in August is a warning: one region of New Zealand will not match another. Use a city page if you already know where you are going. August is winter in the southern year. A northern summer packing list is the wrong brief for New Zealand. Compared with February and July, August sits in the middle of New Zealand's year.
- Average temp
- 10°C
6–13°C
- Rainfall
- 87 mm
Showers likely
- Sunshine
- 5.1 h
hours per day
What to expect
Daytime
Cool days in New Zealand: a jumper you can take off, a shell in the bag. Walking is fine. Lingering outside without a layer is optimism.
Mornings and evenings are colder than the postcard. Pack for both, especially if you leave the built-up centre.
Rain
August is a wetter month in New Zealand. Showers are part of the deal, not a spoiled surprise.
Waterproof shoes matter more than a rain plan for a beach, especially if a beach is not why you came. Build indoor hours into the afternoon.
Evening
Evenings are cooler. A layer helps after sunset.
What to pack
Rain jacket
A layer for cooler evenings
Where to stay in New Zealand
Featured stays on trip1. Dates are a starting point for August.
Travel guides for New Zealand
What to read before you book.
Average weather in New Zealand
TemperatureRainfall
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FAQs about New Zealand
Climate averages for New Zealand, 1991–2020.
The best time to visit New Zealand is between November and April, the most comfortable stretch of the year on these averages.
February is the hottest month, with an average around 17°C.
July is the wettest month, with about 116 mm of rain.
No. These are 1991–2020 climate normals from Meteostat, not a live forecast. Actual weather in any given week can differ.
