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Best time to visit Rotorua: month by month
Short answer
December to March is summer, with highs of about 20–23°C, warm enough to swim in the lakes. Spring and autumn are milder and quieter. Winter (June to August) is cool, about 12–13°C by day with frosty nights, and the best time for hot pools. Rain is spread through the year, on about 9–17 days a month.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 23°C | 14°C | 13 | very high |
| Feb | 22°C | 15°C | 12 | high |
| Mar | 20°C | 12°C | 10 | high |
| Apr | 18°C | 11°C | 10 | medium |
| May | 15°C | 9°C | 12 | low |
| Jun | 13°C | 8°C | 14 | low |
| Jul | 12°C | 6°C | 11 | medium |
| Aug | 13°C | 5°C | 9 | low |
| Sep | 14°C | 7°C | 16 | low |
| Oct | 17°C | 9°C | 14 | medium |
| Nov | 19°C | 12°C | 17 | medium |
| Dec | 22°C | 14°C | 17 | high |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Sep–Nov)
Highs rise from about 14°C in September to 17°C in October and 19°C in November, with rain on 14–17 days a month; the wettest season in the data.
Summer (Dec–Feb)
Highs of about 22–23°C and lows of 14–15°C, with rain on 12–17 days a month. Lake swimming, long evenings and the busiest holiday period.
Autumn (Mar–May)
Highs of about 20°C in March, 18°C in April and 15°C in May, with rain on 10–12 days. Calm, settled weather is common.
Winter (Jun–Aug)
Highs of 12–13°C and lows of 5–8°C, with frosty mornings. Steam rises dramatically in the cold air and hot pools are at their best.
Events worth planning around
- Rotorua Night Market on Tutanekai Street (weekly, Thursday evenings)
- Matariki, the Māori New Year, marked by a public holiday (June or July)
- Lady Knox Geyser eruption at Wai-O-Tapu (daily at 10:15)
When to avoid
Late December to January is the busiest and most expensive period, with New Zealand's summer holidays. School holidays in April, July and late September to October also fill motels.
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Common questions
What is the best month to visit Rotorua?
February or March: highs of about 20–22°C, settled weather and fewer crowds than January.
Is Rotorua worth visiting in winter?
Yes. Days are cool (about 12–13°C), but the steam, hot pools and lower prices make it a good winter trip.
Does it rain a lot in Rotorua?
Rain falls on about 9–17 days a month, spread through the year; spring (September to November) is the wettest period in the data.