Peak in February
Coolest in July
Heavy in October
Peak in dry season
Rotorua Monthly Weather Guide
Click any month to explore daily weather forecasts
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Essential Travel Info for Rotorua
Currency
NZD
$ New Zealand dollar
Language
English
+2 more
Driving
Left side
Safety
Very High Safety
GPI: 1.269
Best Time to Visit Rotorua
Location, climate overview & historical trends
Tap to Explore Map
📍 38.1368° S, 176.2497° E
Open in Google MapsRotorua is a prominent destination in New Zealand.
Located at 38.14°S latitude,Rotorua experiences a temperate climate with four distinct seasons.
Based on 30 years of data, February is the warmest month (avg. 22°C), while July is the coolest. October sees the most rain (32% chance), making March the driest month.
Historical Climate Trend
30-Year Analysis+0.96°C
Total over 30 years
+0.32°C
Per decade
Linear regression analysis of historical maximum temperatures for Rotorua, based on 1995-2024 satellite data from NASA POWER.
Best Time to Visit
NASA POWER Data (1991-2021)January, February, March
Best months to visit
17°C
Avg High
Based on 30 years of NASA satellite data,Rotorua receives approximately 756mm of rainfall annually. These months offer optimal temperatures and minimal rain probability for your visit.
Climate Trends
EXCLUSIVE1995-2040 Temperature Trend
1995 Avg
16.6°
2024 Avg
17.2°
2040 Proj
17.6°
+0.32°C
per decade (observed)
+0.26°C
per decade (CMIP6)
🌡️ Rotorua has warmed by +1.0°C since 1995. By 2040, an additional +0.4°C is projected (based on CMIP6 rate of 0.256°C/decade), for a total of +1.4°C from 1995 baseline.
NASA POWER (1995-2024) + CMIP6 (CMCC_CM2_VHR4, EC_Earth3P_HR, FGOALS_f3_H, HiRAM_SIT_HR, MRI_AGCM3_2_S, NICAM16_8S)
Travel Intelligence
Exclusive flight analytics & health data for Rotorua
Smart Flight Estimator
Airport-to-Airport Logistics
unlock smart flight estimates
Add your home location in settings to see airport details.
Flight Connectivity Analysis
Airport traffic data & seasonal patterns
Off the beaten path
0
slots per day
Peak
Aug
Low
Jul
Monthly Traffic Distribution
Key Connections
Health & Safety Advisory
CDC travel health recommendations
COVID-19
All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please seeYour COVID-19 Vaccinationfor more information.
Hepatitis A
Consider hepatitis A vaccination for most travelers. It is recommended for travelers who will be doing higher risk activities, such as visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where a traveler might get infected through food or water. It is recommended for travelers who plan on eating street food.
Hepatitis B
Recommended for unvaccinated travelers younger than 60 years old traveling to New Zealand. Unvaccinated travelers 60 years and older may get vaccinated before traveling to New Zealand.
Measles
Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according toCDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel.
Rabies
Dogs infected with rabies are not commonly found in New Zealand.If rabies exposures occur while in New Zealand, rabies vaccines may only be available in larger suburban/urban medical facilities.Rabies pre-exposure vaccination considerations include whether travelers 1) will be performing occupational or recreational activities that increase risk for exposure to potentially rabid animals and 2) might have difficulty getting prompt access to safe post-exposure prophylaxis.Please consult with a healthcare provider to determine whether you should receive pre-exposure vaccination before travel.For more information, seecountry rabies status assessments.
Yellow Fever
CDC recommendations:Vaccine isnotrecommended.Country entry requirements:Vaccine isnotrequired.Updated April 23, 2025
Source: CDC Travelers' Health
View Complete Health GuideRotorua Climate Data by Month
Historical temperature and precipitation averages
| Month | Avg High (°C) | Rain Probability (%) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 22°C | 24% | ✨ Perfect |
| February | 22°C | 23% | ✨ Perfect |
| March | 20°C | 21% | ✨ Perfect |
| April | 18°C | 24% | 😊 Pleasant |
| May | 15°C | 25% | 😊 Pleasant |
| June | 12°C | 30% | Neutral |
| July | 11°C | 29% | Neutral |
| August | 12°C | 30% | Neutral |
| September | 14°C | 32% | Neutral |
| October | 16°C | 32% | 😊 Pleasant |
| November | 19°C | 29% | 😊 Pleasant |
| December | 21°C | 31% | 😊 Pleasant |
Weather in Cities Near Rotorua
Explore climate data for popular destinations within easy reach
Hamilton
New Zealand
Auckland
New Zealand
Wellington
New Zealand
Christchurch
New Zealand
Queenstown
New Zealand
Compare weather conditions with nearby destinations for your trip planning
Compare Rotorua Weather vs Popular Destinations
Similar Climate Destinations
Discover destinations with weather similar to Rotorua
Amsterdam
Netherlands
Antwerp
Belgium
Ponta Delgada
Portugal
Basel
Switzerland
Batumi
Georgia
Bilbao
Spain
These destinations share similar weather patterns with Rotorua. Perfect alternatives if you're looking for the same climate in a different location.
Rotorua Weather FAQ
When is the best time to visit Rotorua?
Honestly, look for months with mild temperatures (20°C-25°C) and low rain chance. Based on historical data, January, February, March are usually great choices.
When is the hottest month in Rotorua?
February is historically the hottest month in Rotorua with average highs of 22°C.
When does it rain the most in Rotorua?
October typically sees the highest probability of rain (32%).
Is Rotorua expensive?
Prices vary by season. The "Perfect" weather months usually coincide with peak tourist season and higher prices, while the rainy or cold months offer better deals.