The Tongariro Crossing in New Zealand
It is called the most beautiful walk in New Zealand, the Tongariro Crossing. The official hiking season starts late October until end of April.
During May, Fox Glacier experiences low daytime temperatures of 11°C (52°F) and cooler nights around 4°C (39°F). May sits within the rainy season, so expect regular and often heavy rainfall.
If you're planning additional trips, our weather planner can help you find destinations that match your weather preferences.
Pick a month to see the average temperature, rainfall and sunshine in Fox Glacier - and find the best time to visit.
Browse day-by-day weather records for Fox Glacier spanning 21 years. Select any month and year to see actual temperatures, rainfall, and conditions recorded on each day.
The extremes listed below come from historical weather data collected in Fox Glacier from 2006 through 2026.
Find out more about the weather in New Zealand and which places have the best travel conditions in this month. See all of New Zealand in May →
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).
Pack for changing conditions in Fox Glacier in May. Bring a mix of short and long sleeves, a warm layer like a hoodie or light jacket, and comfortable pants. The key is being able to add or remove layers as the days goes by. Heavy rain is guaranteed, please bring a good poncho and waterproof everything!
We rated the following activities from 1 (least suitable) to 10 (best) to do.
See the full Fox Glacier climate overview or explore weather in New Zealand.
Where to go in May - average daytime high across popular destinations.
Need travel inspiration? Check out our bucket list articles and be inspired.
The Tongariro Crossing in New Zealand
It is called the most beautiful walk in New Zealand, the Tongariro Crossing. The official hiking season starts late October until end of April.
White-water sledge and raft in Rotorua
We recommend to white-water sledge and raft in Rotorua in summer (January, February) when the Glacier melt fills the rivers. This is the best time.
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Compare New Zealand weather in February for Auckland, Rotorua, Taupo, Christchurch and Queenstown to see which island has the best conditions.
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