Catlins Weather in January

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

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Owaka Kaka Point Waikawa

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

What to Expect in the Catlins in January

The Catlins, New Zealand is a region in New Zealand. January in the Catlins generally has pleasant temperatures, with high precipitation.

Temperatures

You can expect pleasant maximum daytime temperatures of around 18°C (64°F) and nighttime temperatures around 10°C (50°F) in Owaka.

For specific regional insights in the Catlins, New Zealand, refer to the map provided below.

Precipitation

In January, precipitation varies across different areas. From high rainfall in Kaka Point with an average of 109 mm (4.3 in) to high rainfall in Waikawa with 130 mm (5.1 in). Based on our climate, it is the month with the most precipitation throughout the year in Owaka.

Average sunshine

Most places get a reasonable amount of sunshine. Take Owaka as an example - it receives around 174 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 the Catlins by month

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Best Places to Visit in the Catlins in January

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

Conditions Temperatures Precipitation
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 the Catlins

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

Temperature range in the Catlins (January)

Precipitation variation in the Catlins (January)

Owaka

In January Owaka generally has pleasant temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 18°C (64°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 10°C (50°F) and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are tolerable that month.

« December
January
February »
December
January
February
Max temperature
17°C (63°F)
18°C (64°F)
18°C (64°F)
Min temperature
9°C (48°F)
10°C (50°F)
10°C (50°F)
Monthly sun hours
182 hours
174 hours
165 hours
Monthly rainfall
106 mm (4.2 in)
114 mm (4.5 in)
98 mm (3.9 in)
Monthly rainy days
18 days
18 days
15 days
Weather conditions
unpleasant
tolerable
pleasant
Climate in Owaka →

Kaka Point

In January Kaka Point generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 18°C (64°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 11°C (52°F) and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are tolerable that month.

« December
January
February »
December
January
February
Max temperature
17°C (63°F)
18°C (64°F)
18°C (64°F)
Min temperature
10°C (50°F)
11°C (52°F)
11°C (52°F)
Monthly sun hours
182 hours
174 hours
165 hours
Monthly rainfall
100 mm (3.9 in)
109 mm (4.3 in)
95 mm (3.7 in)
Monthly rainy days
18 days
17 days
14 days
Weather conditions
unpleasant
tolerable
pleasant
Climate in Kaka Point →

Waikawa

In January Waikawa generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 18°C (64°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 11°C (52°F) and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are tolerable that month.

« December
January
February »
December
January
February
Max temperature
16°C (61°F)
18°C (64°F)
18°C (64°F)
Min temperature
10°C (50°F)
11°C (52°F)
11°C (52°F)
Monthly sun hours
192 hours
187 hours
166 hours
Monthly rainfall
120 mm (4.7 in)
130 mm (5.1 in)
110 mm (4.3 in)
Monthly rainy days
17 days
19 days
15 days
Weather conditions
unpleasant
tolerable
tolerable
Climate in Waikawa →

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

In our records: New Zealand January extremes

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

  • From our sources, the wettest January day in New Zealand brought 219 mm (8.6 in) in Whangarei on January 19, 2018.

Popular cities in January

Day & night temperatures, rainfall and average weather in the Catlins in January.

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Owaka 18°C (64°F) 10°C (50°F) 114 mm (4.5 in)
Kaka Point 18°C (64°F) 11°C (52°F) 109 mm (4.3 in)
Waikawa 18°C (64°F) 11°C (52°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)

The Catlins weather in January: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in the Catlins, New Zealand in January?

the Catlins, New Zealand typically experiences tolerable weather in January, part of the season. Daytime highs in Owaka average around 18°C (64°F), and temperatures drop to about 10°C (50°F) at night.

What is the average temperature in the Catlins, New Zealand in January?

Owaka averages a daytime maximum of 18°C (64°F) in January, with overnight lows close to 10°C (50°F).

Does the Catlins, New Zealand get a lot of rain in January?

Yes, January tends to be a wetter month in the Catlins, New Zealand. Average rainfall in Owaka sits around 114 mm (4.5 in).

Is January a Good Time to Visit the Catlins, New Zealand?

In our opinion, January is a good time to visit the Catlins, New Zealand with overall tolerable weather in Owaka. It's worth noting that weather conditions might differ depending on the location you visit.

Generally speaking, February provides pleasant weather in Owaka. In contrast, July tends to have poor weather conditions.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in the Catlins.

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.

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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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