Auckland

New Zealand Weather in December

Average temperatures, rainfall, sunshine and the best places to visit in New Zealand in December.

Planning a trip to New Zealand this December? Here's what you need to know about the weather:

What to Expect in New Zealand in December

In December, New Zealand experiences a range of weather conditions, with temperatures that range from mild to warm and precipitation levels ranging from moderate to heavy.

Temperatures

During the day temperatures vary from mild in Mount Cook Village at 13°C (55°F) to warm in Mangonui at 23°C (73°F). At night it cools down to 16°C (61°F) in Mangonui and 4°C (39°F) in Mount Cook Village.

For a closer look at conditions across New Zealand, refer to the map below.

Precipitation

In December, precipitation varies across different areas. From moderate rainfall in Akaroa with an average of 57 mm (2.2 in) to heavy rainfall in Haast with 417 mm (16 in).

Average sunshine

Most destinations offer generous amounts of sunshine this December. For example, Auckland gets approximately 198 hours of sunlight, perfect for anyone wanting bright, sunny days.

Explore New Zealand by month

Pick a month to see the average temperature, rainfall and sunshine in New Zealand — and find the best time to visit. (based on Auckland)

Best Places to Visit in New Zealand in December

Click on a destination dot for more details. Toggle the map to compare temperatures or precipitation across New Zealand.

perfect weather
pleasant
tolerable
unpleasant
poor

Perfect weather is subjective. On this map perfect weather has been defined with temperatures between 20°C (68°F) and 29°C (84°F) and not too much precipitation (less than 90 mm (3.5 in) a month).

Popular Destinations in New Zealand

What is the weather like in December for some of the most popular destinations in New Zealand?

Temperature range in New Zealand (December)

Precipitation variation in New Zealand (December)

Auckland

In December Auckland generally has high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 22°C (72°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 16°C (61°F) and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are pleasant that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
20°C (68°F)
22°C (72°F)
24°C (75°F)
Min temperature
13°C (55°F)
16°C (61°F)
17°C (63°F)
Monthly sun hours
189 hours
198 hours
230 hours
Monthly rainfall
87 mm (3.4 in)
101 mm (4 in)
78 mm (3.1 in)
Monthly rainy days
15 days
14 days
12 days
Weather conditions

Christchurch

In December Christchurch generally has pleasant temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 21°C (70°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 11°C (52°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are perfect that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
19°C (66°F)
21°C (70°F)
22°C (72°F)
Min temperature
9°C (48°F)
11°C (52°F)
13°C (55°F)
Monthly sun hours
224 hours
218 hours
238 hours
Monthly rainfall
61 mm (2.4 in)
63 mm (2.5 in)
58 mm (2.3 in)
Monthly rainy days
9 days
11 days
8 days
Weather conditions

Queenstown

In December Queenstown generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 15°C (59°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 6°C (43°F) and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are unpleasant that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
13°C (55°F)
15°C (59°F)
17°C (63°F)
Min temperature
3°C (37°F)
6°C (43°F)
7°C (45°F)
Monthly sun hours
216 hours
223 hours
230 hours
Monthly rainfall
141 mm (5.6 in)
149 mm (5.9 in)
143 mm (5.6 in)
Monthly rainy days
11 days
12 days
11 days
Weather conditions

Rotorua

In December Rotorua generally has pleasant temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 21°C (70°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 12°C (54°F) and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are pleasant that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
19°C (66°F)
21°C (70°F)
23°C (73°F)
Min temperature
9°C (48°F)
12°C (54°F)
13°C (55°F)
Monthly sun hours
201 hours
217 hours
240 hours
Monthly rainfall
105 mm (4.1 in)
127 mm (5 in)
95 mm (3.7 in)
Monthly rainy days
12 days
13 days
10 days
Weather conditions

Taupo

In December Taupo generally has pleasant temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 20°C (68°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 11°C (52°F) and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are pleasant that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
18°C (64°F)
20°C (68°F)
22°C (72°F)
Min temperature
8°C (46°F)
11°C (52°F)
12°C (54°F)
Monthly sun hours
192 hours
206 hours
224 hours
Monthly rainfall
110 mm (4.3 in)
122 mm (4.8 in)
90 mm (3.5 in)
Monthly rainy days
12 days
13 days
10 days
Weather conditions

Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at all destinations in New Zealand.

Popular cities in December

Day & night temperatures, rainfall and average weather in New Zealand in December.

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Auckland 22°C (72°F) 16°C (61°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Christchurch 21°C (70°F) 11°C (52°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Queenstown 15°C (59°F) 6°C (43°F) 149 mm (5.9 in)
Nelson 19°C (66°F) 12°C (54°F) 133 mm (5.2 in)
Wellington 17°C (63°F) 13°C (55°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Franz Josef 15°C (59°F) 8°C (46°F) 376 mm (15 in)

New Zealand weather in December: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in New Zealand in December?

Expect pleasant weather across New Zealand in December. The popular destination of Auckland averages 22°C (72°F) by day and 16°C (61°F) at night during this month.

What is the average temperature in New Zealand in December?

In Auckland, the average daytime high in December is 22°C (72°F), while nighttime temperatures drop to around 16°C (61°F).

Does New Zealand get a lot of rain in December?

New Zealand sees substantial rainfall in December. Auckland typically averages about 101 mm (4 in), a mix of wet and dry days, but bring an umbrella.

Is December a Good Time to Visit New Zealand?

In our opinion, December is a good time to visit New Zealand with overall pleasant weather in Auckland. However, the weather conditions may vary depending on your destination.

On average, the best time to visit New Zealand is in January, February, March, April and November with generally perfect weather in Auckland. On the other hand, the weather in June, July, August and September tend to be unpleasant.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in New Zealand.

Weather and climate has detailed information for every country in the world. Are you going to New Zealand? Get detailed historical weather averages for many cities in New Zealand.

Not sure yet where to go? We now have a tool which recommends destinations that suit your ideal travel conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.

Bucket list

Need travel inspiration? Check out our bucket list articles and be inspired.