Temperature range
Typical highs and lows
High22.2°C
Low5.5°C
The broad yearly range between warm daytime highs and the coolest overnight lows.
New Zealand Rotorua, New Zealand
Rotorua experiences a temperate climate, where average temperatures vary from a low of 11°C / 53°F in August to a high of 22°C / 72°F in February.
Annual rainfall patterns show an average of 120 mm / 4.7 inches per month, with July being the wettest (143 mm / 5.6 inches) and January the driest (101 mm / 4 inches).
The UV index ranges from 3 in June to 9 in January, so strong sun protection is essential during summer months.
The longest days occur in December with around 14.8 hours of daylight, while June has the shortest days at about 9.6 hours.
Trip planning
Plan your trip
Find the best dates. Understand the conditions. Pack with confidence.
Climate overview
Climate at a glance
The big-picture stats that matter for planning your visit to Rotorua.
Rain pattern
Wettest point of the year
143 mm
July carries the highest typical rainfall load.
Sun exposure
Typical peak UV band
High (6.6)
A fast read on how strong midday sun typically gets across the year.
Daylight window
Seasonal daylight range
10 hrsto15 hrs
Useful for gauging how much sightseeing time you get in shorter versus longer seasons.
Wind profile
Typical breeze strength
12 km/h
October is typically the breeziest month.
Humidity
Typical moisture range
77 %to88 %
A quick signal for how dry, comfortable, or heavy the air tends to feel.
When should I go?
Our top-rated months for visiting Rotorua, based on long-term weather comfort and conditions
Typical weather by month
Compare all monthsTip: click on a card to see detailed daily weather averages for that month.
How Rotorua compares
See how it ranks against the rest of New Zealand for key metrics.
HOTTEST (AVG)
in New Zealand
#5 / 9
COOLEST (AVG)
in New Zealand
#4 / 9
WETTEST (TOTAL)
in New Zealand
#1 / 9
WINDIEST (AVG)
in New Zealand
#8 / 9
HIGHEST UV
in New Zealand
#2 / 9
MOST HUMID
in New Zealand
#1 / 9
Short term outlook
Visiting soon? Here's the next 7 days of weather for Rotorua, or see an hourly breakdown for the next 14 days.
Travel planning FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the weather questions you ask the most.
How does the weather in Rotorua feel over the year?
Across the year, daytime highs average about 17°C (63°F), with nights near 10°C (50°F). Overall it feels mild by day and cool after dark. Daylight is fairly typical, with enough time for sightseeing. Expect a mix of sun and cloud across the year.
When is the best time to visit Rotorua for dry weather?
When is sun exposure strongest in Rotorua?
UV tends to peak in January, when UV levels frequently reach very high levels (around 9), so strong sun protection is essential, especially around midday.
Is Rotorua a windy place?
Across the year, average winds sit around 12 km/h (7 mph), with gusts on windier days up to about 66 km/h (41 mph). Overall it is it is a notably windy place, and strong gusts are fairly common.
How much daylight does Rotorua get?
On average, days offer about 12 hours of daylight. Daylight is fairly typical, with enough time for sightseeing.