New Zealand in May

© Martyn Williams - Tourism New Zealand

New Zealand Weather in May

May is when it starts to get a little chilly in New Zealand. As the last month of autumn, going into winter, May is a time to wear a jacket and some thermals if you are off doing outdoor activities. The weather also starts to get more inconsistent so prepare for rain at any time. Snow is likely to occur in the more alpine regions.

North Island Temperatures: Highs of around 18ºC (64ºF) or more, and lows of 6ºC (43ºF).
South Island Temperatures: Highs of around 16ºC (61ºF) and lows of 2ºC (36ºF).

For a packing list to match the weather in May, see Packing List for Autumn or Spring in New Zealand.

© Pexels

May Events in New Zealand

May is a relatively quiet month in New Zealand in terms of events and festivals. However, there are still a few worth checking out, such as the Bluff Oyster Festival. Bluff is the southernmost town of the South Island and an experience in itself. A brilliant time to go and taste some fresh seafood is during the Bluff Oyster Festival, which is usually during the last weekend of May.

Auckland and Wellington have some great events for creatives during May. Check out the Auckland Writers Festival for five days during May or sign up to some workshops at Handmade during May in Wellington.

© Visit Ruapehu

The Activities that are Best Done in May

Most outdoor activities can be enjoyed in May, from hiking to mountain biking to white water rafting, bungy jumping and more. The weather doesn’t usually affect the enjoyment of these activities so most operators will remain open during May. Just check out these articles to get some inspiration:

• 7 Epic Places to Bungy Jump in New Zealand
• 7 Places to go White Water Rafting in New Zealand
• The Best Mountain Biking Regions in New Zealand

May is also a good time to try some fishing in New Zealand. Good winter fishing can be found in Taupo, Turangi and lakes in the Northland region.

© Pexels

Typical Prices in May

May is a fantastic time to travel New Zealand if you are on a budget. May is during New Zealand’s shoulder season, meaning there are fewer tourists and cheaper deals to be found. Find out why the shoulder season is so awesome in the 11 Reasons to Travel in the Shoulder and Off-Season in New Zealand. For a general idea of costs in New Zealand, take a look at this New Zealand cost guide.

Flights in May to New Zealand

Generally, flying to New Zealand in May is one of the cheaper months to do so. However, a number of factors influence the price of flights from how you book to how far in advance you book. Take a look at this cheap flights guide to see how you can get a great deal. Plus, wise up on the arrival process in our Airport Arrival Guide.

Rental Vehicle Prices in May

Thanks to it being the shoulder season in New Zealand during May, you will find some of the cheapest prices for car and campervan rentals. Expect rentals to start from NZ$20 per day for the cheapest vehicles. For more information on rental costs, check out How Much Does it Cost to Rent a Car in New Zealand?

Accommodation in May

While many of New Zealand’s budget accommodations keep a similar price year-round, such as hostels that are usually NZ$21-$32 per bed in a dorm, May is usually a good time to find some deals on accommodation, such as multiple nights for a certain price. Also, holiday parks will have their prices at the lower end of the scale, usually around NZ$15-$25 per powered site for two people.

Activities in May

While a limited amount of activities close shop for winter, there are still plenty of activity providers who stay open year-round, particularly adventure activities. Promotions are often run on activities during May and you will not need to worry too much about booking way in advance. However, some activities in more off-the-beaten-track locations may require a couple of days notice so that they can run the tour for you. (Often enough, you can be the only one on a tour in quieter locations of New Zealand).