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New Zealand Weather in March

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

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

What to Expect in New Zealand in March

The weather in New Zealand in March can be quite varied, with temperatures that range from mild to warm and precipitation levels ranging from moderate to heavy.

Temperatures

During the day the temperature is mild in Mount Cook Village at 13°C (55°F) and warm in Mangonui at 24°C (75°F). As night falls, temperatures generally drop 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 March, precipitation varies across different areas. From moderate rainfall in Tai Tapu with an average of 47 mm (1.9 in) to heavy rainfall in Haast with 329 mm (13 in). Based on climate data from the last 30 years, Auckland typically sees the least rain in this month, making it the driest month of the year.

Average sunshine

Most places get a reasonable amount of sunshine. Take Auckland as an example - it receives around 189 hours of sunlight, offering a nice mix of sunny and partly cloudy days. Want to compare this with brighter destinations? Try our weather planner to explore your options.

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 March

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 March for some of the most popular destinations in New Zealand?

Temperature range in New Zealand (March)

Precipitation variation in New Zealand (March)

Auckland

In March Auckland generally has high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 23°C (73°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 16°C (61°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are perfect that month.

February
March
April
Max temperature
25°C (77°F)
23°C (73°F)
21°C (70°F)
Min temperature
18°C (64°F)
16°C (61°F)
14°C (57°F)
Monthly sun hours
196 hours
189 hours
156 hours
Monthly rainfall
82 mm (3.2 in)
75 mm (3 in)
89 mm (3.5 in)
Monthly rainy days
10 days
13 days
15 days
Weather conditions

Christchurch

In March 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.

February
March
April
Max temperature
23°C (73°F)
21°C (70°F)
18°C (64°F)
Min temperature
12°C (54°F)
11°C (52°F)
8°C (46°F)
Monthly sun hours
196 hours
191 hours
161 hours
Monthly rainfall
49 mm (1.9 in)
48 mm (1.9 in)
58 mm (2.3 in)
Monthly rainy days
8 days
10 days
9 days
Weather conditions

Queenstown

In March 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.

February
March
April
Max temperature
17°C (63°F)
15°C (59°F)
12°C (54°F)
Min temperature
7°C (45°F)
6°C (43°F)
3°C (37°F)
Monthly sun hours
207 hours
187 hours
145 hours
Monthly rainfall
115 mm (4.5 in)
116 mm (4.6 in)
114 mm (4.5 in)
Monthly rainy days
9 days
10 days
11 days
Weather conditions

Rotorua

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

February
March
April
Max temperature
24°C (75°F)
21°C (70°F)
19°C (66°F)
Min temperature
14°C (57°F)
12°C (54°F)
10°C (50°F)
Monthly sun hours
207 hours
201 hours
170 hours
Monthly rainfall
105 mm (4.1 in)
97 mm (3.8 in)
119 mm (4.7 in)
Monthly rainy days
9 days
11 days
11 days
Weather conditions

Taupo

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

February
March
April
Max temperature
23°C (73°F)
20°C (68°F)
18°C (64°F)
Min temperature
12°C (54°F)
11°C (52°F)
8°C (46°F)
Monthly sun hours
202 hours
180 hours
158 hours
Monthly rainfall
96 mm (3.8 in)
89 mm (3.5 in)
110 mm (4.3 in)
Monthly rainy days
8 days
10 days
10 days
Weather conditions

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

Popular cities in March

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

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Auckland 23°C (73°F) 16°C (61°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Christchurch 21°C (70°F) 11°C (52°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Queenstown 15°C (59°F) 6°C (43°F) 116 mm (4.6 in)
Nelson 20°C (68°F) 12°C (54°F) 99 mm (3.9 in)
Wellington 18°C (64°F) 14°C (57°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Franz Josef 15°C (59°F) 8°C (46°F) 282 mm (11 in)

New Zealand weather in March: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in New Zealand in March?

Expect perfect weather across New Zealand in March. The popular destination of Auckland averages 23°C (73°F) by day and 16°C (61°F) at night during this month.

What is the average temperature in New Zealand in March?

Auckland averages a daytime maximum of 23°C (73°F) in March, with overnight lows close to 16°C (61°F).

Does New Zealand get a lot of rain in March?

March is on the drier side in New Zealand. Auckland averages only about 75 mm (3 in), with most days staying dry.

Is March a Good Time to Visit New Zealand?

We believe that March is one of the best times to visit New Zealand with overall perfect weather in Auckland. It's worth noting that weather conditions might differ depending on the location you visit.

Generally speaking, January, February, March, April and November provide 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.

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