Kaikoura

Canterbury Weather in May

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

Thinking about venturing to Canterbury, New Zealand this May and curious about the weather conditions to expect? This page holds all the key information you seek, responding to your question:

What to Expect in Canterbury in May

Canterbury, New Zealand is a region in New Zealand. May in Canterbury generally has temperatures that range from cold to mild, with precipitation levels ranging from moderate to heavy.

Temperatures

During the day the temperature is cold in Mount Cook Village at 6°C (43°F) and mild in Lincoln at 15°C (59°F). As night falls, temperatures generally drop to 6°C (43°F) in Lincoln and -2°C (28°F) in Mount Cook Village.

To explore the conditions in Canterbury, New Zealand in more detail, check the map below.

Precipitation

In May, precipitation varies across different areas. From moderate rainfall in Christchurch with an average of 54 mm (2.1 in) to heavy rainfall in Mount Cook Village with 241 mm (9.5 in).

Average sunshine

Most areas see decent amounts of sunshine this month. Christchurch gets around 138 hours of sunlight, providing a pleasant balance of sun and clouds. If you'd prefer more guaranteed sunshine, our weather planner can show you sunnier spots around the world.

Explore Canterbury by month

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

Best Places to Visit in Canterbury in May

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

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 Canterbury

What is the weather like in May for some of the most popular destinations in Canterbury, New Zealand?

Temperature range in Canterbury (May)

Precipitation variation in Canterbury (May)

Christchurch

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

May
April
May
June
Max temperature
18°C (64°F)
15°C (59°F)
12°C (54°F)
Min temperature
8°C (46°F)
6°C (43°F)
3°C (37°F)
Monthly sun hours
161 hours
138 hours
117 hours
Monthly rainfall
58 mm (2.3 in)
54 mm (2.1 in)
64 mm (2.5 in)
Monthly rainy days
9 days
11 days
12 days
Weather conditions

Kaikoura

In May Kaikoura generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 14°C (57°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 7°C (45°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are tolerable that month.

May
April
May
June
Max temperature
16°C (61°F)
14°C (57°F)
11°C (52°F)
Min temperature
9°C (48°F)
7°C (45°F)
4°C (39°F)
Monthly rainfall
86 mm (3.4 in)
71 mm (2.8 in)
101 mm (4 in)
Monthly rainy days
9 days
11 days
10 days
Weather conditions

Hanmer Springs

In May Hanmer Springs generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 12°C (54°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 2°C (36°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are unpleasant that month.

May
April
May
June
Max temperature
15°C (59°F)
12°C (54°F)
8°C (46°F)
Min temperature
5°C (41°F)
2°C (36°F)
0°C (32°F)
Monthly rainfall
92 mm (3.6 in)
89 mm (3.5 in)
117 mm (4.6 in)
Monthly rainy days
10 days
12 days
12 days
Weather conditions

Lake Tekapo

In May Lake Tekapo generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 10°C (50°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 2°C (36°F) and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

May
April
May
June
Max temperature
14°C (57°F)
10°C (50°F)
6°C (43°F)
Min temperature
5°C (41°F)
2°C (36°F)
-1°C (30°F)
Monthly rainfall
103 mm (4.1 in)
111 mm (4.4 in)
105 mm (4.1 in)
Monthly rainy days
8 days
9 days
8 days
Weather conditions

Akaroa

In May Akaroa generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 14°C (57°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 9°C (48°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are tolerable that month.

May
April
May
June
Max temperature
16°C (61°F)
14°C (57°F)
12°C (54°F)
Min temperature
10°C (50°F)
9°C (48°F)
7°C (45°F)
Monthly sun hours
161 hours
138 hours
117 hours
Monthly rainfall
60 mm (2.4 in)
61 mm (2.4 in)
68 mm (2.7 in)
Monthly rainy days
11 days
14 days
15 days
Weather conditions

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

In our records: New Zealand May extremes

Notable May records observed across cities in New Zealand in our climate database (1976 – 2026). Historic readings can vary in quality, so treat these as illustrative.

  • In our records, the coldest May daytime high in New Zealand was -6°C (21°F) in Franz Josef on May 28, 2013.

Popular cities in May

Day & night temperatures, rainfall and average weather in Canterbury in May.

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Christchurch 15°C (59°F) 6°C (43°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Kaikoura 14°C (57°F) 7°C (45°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Hanmer Springs 12°C (54°F) 2°C (36°F) 89 mm (3.5 in)
Lake Tekapo 10°C (50°F) 2°C (36°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Akaroa 14°C (57°F) 9°C (48°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Timaru 14°C (57°F) 6°C (43°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)

Canterbury weather in May: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in Canterbury, New Zealand in May?

May in Canterbury, New Zealand brings tolerable weather. In Christchurch, daytime temperatures are typically around 15°C (59°F) and nighttime lows hover near 6°C (43°F).

What is the average temperature in Canterbury, New Zealand in May?

Daytime temperatures in Christchurch peak at roughly 15°C (59°F) in May, dropping to about 6°C (43°F) overnight.

Does Canterbury, New Zealand get a lot of rain in May?

May is on the drier side in Canterbury, New Zealand. Christchurch averages only about 54 mm (2.1 in), with most days staying dry.

Is May a Good Time to Visit Canterbury, New Zealand?

Given the typically tolerable weather conditions in Christchurch, May might be a good time to visit Canterbury, New Zealand. It's worth noting that weather conditions might differ depending on the location you visit.

Generally speaking, January, February, March and December provide perfect weather in Christchurch. The weather in June, July and August, on the other hand, tends to be unpleasant.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in Canterbury.

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.