Waikato Weather in May

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

Are you planning a trip a to Waikato, New Zealand in May and wondering what kind of weather to expect? This page has all the details you need.

What to Expect in Waikato in May

Waikato, New Zealand is a region in New Zealand. May in Waikato generally has temperatures that range from mild to pleasant, with precipitation levels ranging from moderate to high.

Temperatures

During the day the temperature is mild in Whakapapa Village at 12°C (54°F) and pleasant in Pukekohe East at 19°C (66°F). As night falls, temperatures generally drop to 11°C (52°F) in Pukekohe East and 4°C (39°F) in Whakapapa Village.

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

Precipitation

In May, precipitation varies across different areas. From moderate rainfall in Miranda with an average of 99 mm (3.9 in) to high rainfall in Whakapapa Village with 158 mm (6.2 in).

Average sunshine

Sunshine is moderately available across various locations. In Taupo, you can expect around 130 hours of sunlight in May, which gives a pleasant combination of sun and shade. For those who want maximum sunshine, our weather planner can point you toward the sunniest places on Earth.

Explore Waikato by month

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

Best Places to Visit in Waikato in May

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

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 Waikato

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

Temperature range in Waikato (May)

Precipitation variation in Waikato (May)

Taupo

In May Taupo 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.

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)
5°C (41°F)
Monthly sun hours
158 hours
130 hours
97 hours
Monthly rainfall
110 mm (4.3 in)
111 mm (4.4 in)
120 mm (4.7 in)
Monthly rainy days
10 days
12 days
14 days
Weather conditions

Hamilton

In May Hamilton generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 18°C (64°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 9°C (48°F) and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are tolerable that month.

May
April
May
June
Max temperature
21°C (70°F)
18°C (64°F)
16°C (61°F)
Min temperature
11°C (52°F)
9°C (48°F)
7°C (45°F)
Monthly sun hours
170 hours
138 hours
113 hours
Monthly rainfall
101 mm (4 in)
114 mm (4.5 in)
123 mm (4.8 in)
Monthly rainy days
12 days
15 days
16 days
Weather conditions

Whitianga

In May Whitianga generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 18°C (64°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 13°C (55°F) and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are tolerable that month.

May
April
May
June
Max temperature
20°C (68°F)
18°C (64°F)
16°C (61°F)
Min temperature
15°C (59°F)
13°C (55°F)
12°C (54°F)
Monthly rainfall
107 mm (4.2 in)
120 mm (4.7 in)
133 mm (5.2 in)
Monthly rainy days
14 days
14 days
16 days
Weather conditions

Cambridge

In May Cambridge generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 18°C (64°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 8°C (46°F) and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are tolerable that month.

May
April
May
June
Max temperature
20°C (68°F)
18°C (64°F)
15°C (59°F)
Min temperature
10°C (50°F)
8°C (46°F)
6°C (43°F)
Monthly sun hours
170 hours
138 hours
113 hours
Monthly rainfall
101 mm (4 in)
109 mm (4.3 in)
119 mm (4.7 in)
Monthly rainy days
11 days
14 days
15 days
Weather conditions

Coromandel Town

In May Coromandel Town generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 18°C (64°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 14°C (57°F) and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are tolerable that month.

May
April
May
June
Max temperature
20°C (68°F)
18°C (64°F)
16°C (61°F)
Min temperature
16°C (61°F)
14°C (57°F)
12°C (54°F)
Monthly sun hours
156 hours
140 hours
117 hours
Monthly rainfall
106 mm (4.2 in)
123 mm (4.8 in)
134 mm (5.3 in)
Monthly rainy days
14 days
15 days
17 days
Weather conditions

Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at all destinations in Waikato, 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 Waikato in May.

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Taupo 15°C (59°F) 6°C (43°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Hamilton 18°C (64°F) 9°C (48°F) 114 mm (4.5 in)
Whitianga 18°C (64°F) 13°C (55°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Cambridge 18°C (64°F) 8°C (46°F) 109 mm (4.3 in)
Coromandel Town 18°C (64°F) 14°C (57°F) 123 mm (4.8 in)
Turangi 13°C (55°F) 6°C (43°F) 152 mm (6 in)

Waikato weather in May: frequently asked questions

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

Expect unpleasant weather across Waikato, New Zealand in May. The popular destination of Taupo averages 15°C (59°F) by day and 6°C (43°F) at night during this month.

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

Average temperatures in Waikato, New Zealand during May range from a nighttime low near 6°C (43°F) to a daytime high around 15°C (59°F) in Taupo.

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

Yes, May tends to be a wetter month in Waikato, New Zealand. Average rainfall in Taupo sits around 111 mm (4.4 in).

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

In our view, May might not be the best time to travel to Waikato, New Zealand with often unpleasant weather in Taupo.

On average, the best time to visit Waikato, New Zealand is in January, February and March with generally perfect weather in Taupo. On the other hand, the months of June, July and August tend to have poor weather conditions.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in Waikato.

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.