New Zealand weather in March
Warm weather and long days make March one of the best months to visit New Zealand
March in New Zealand signals the official end of summer and start of autumn.
However, there is typically plentiful sunshine and warm temperatures until the end of the month, making March an excellent time to visit New Zealand.
It’s one of my favourite times to travel, with amazing weather for hiking and swimming.
Here’s what to expect from the weather in New Zealand in March.
jump ahead.
Is March a good time to visit New Zealand?
March might be the best time to visit New Zealand. School has started again and summer holidays are over, so the crowds have gone, but the days are full of sunshine.
The summer months —especially January — are very busy in most places around New Zealand. So it’s nice to be able to enjoy outdoorsy activities in March without the busyness of the holidays.
While summer might officially be over, the weather is generally lovely and warm. Plus the days are still long, with the sun setting around 8pm. This allows more time for exploring.
The water temperatures are still warm in March, so it’s a great month for swimming at New Zealand’s beaches and rivers.
As its shoulder season, you will also see more availability for rental campervans and accommodation, which means less stress about booking months in advance and potentially lower prices.
New Zealand weather in March
Good weather is never a guarantee in New Zealand, but in March you have a pretty good chance of warm, sunny days.
Weather in March is typically more settled than earlier in the year, and comfortably warm temperatures range from 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F) in most regions.
There are usually only a handful of rainy days in March — the same on average as in the summer months of January and February.
In the North Island, which tends to be warmer, you might get higher temperatures but also more rainfall.
Coastal areas and urban centres like Auckland and Wellington typically enjoy milder temperatures, making them perfect for exploring without the scorching heat of summer.
The weather in the South Island tends to be drier, especially in the central and eastern parts of the island.
March is an excellent month for hiking, and balmy sea water temperatures mean it’s still possible to get in lots of beach days.
I’ve had some stunning overnight treks in Mount Aspiring National Park during March and enjoyed a road trip up around Cape Reinga and Northland in March too.
Evenings are still long in March, which is awesome for camping and overnight hikes.
What temperatures can you expect in New Zealand in March?
Here are some of the average high/low temperatures across the North and South Islands in March:
Auckland: 23°/15° Celcius, or 73°/59° Fahrenheit
Wellington: 19°/13° Celcius or 66°/55° Fahrenheit
Christchurch: 20°/10° Celcius or 68°/50° Fahrenheit
Queenstown: 19°/7° Celcius or 66°/44° Fahrenheit
In New Zealand, March marks the transition from summer to autumn, and you can generally expect warm temperatures.
The temperature can vary by a few degrees between the North and South Islands, and between regions. But on average, you can expect daytime temperatures from around 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F).
The North Island enjoys daytime temperatures from 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F) with cooler nights around 10°C to 15°C (50°F to 59°F).
In the South Island, particularly in regions like Queenstown and Christchurch, sunny days are still warm but temperatures start to dip in the evenings.
Day time temperatures in the South Island average between 18°C and 23°C (64°F to 73°F), while nights average 6°C to 12°C (43°F to 54°F).
Keep in mind that New Zealand's weather can be quite changeable — we like to say that if you don’t like the weather, just wait an hour — so it's a good idea to be prepared for a variety of conditions.
Travel tips for visiting New Zealand in March
March is shoulder season in New Zealand, so you shouldn’t experience the crowds you would during January and February, but sometimes Easter falls at the end of March. If this is the case, you can expect activities and accommodation to be busier, as locals enjoy their last holiday before winter.
Wear sunscreen! March is still a hot and sunny month, despite officially being autumn, so make sure to pack a hat and plenty of sunscreen.
March is the start of feijoa season in New Zealand. If you’ve never tried this small green guava, March is a great time to sample one of New Zealand’s favourite fruit! You can buy them in supermarkets, but you’ll also see them dangling from many people’s hedges as you walk through towns in the North Island, and often people have such an abundance they give them away by the bagful.
March is also the season for apples, kiwifruit, stone fruit, chestnuts, and blackberries — if you keep an eye out, you can forage for these berries on walks or along the sides of the road.
March is the season for the wine harvest, so you might spot workers picking grapes among the rows of vines. The harvest doesn’t affect cellar door openings though, so you can still plan to visit wineries around the country.
With such an abundance of food available for harvesting in March, it makes sense that Wildfoods Festival in Hokitika takes place during this month.
What clothes to pack for New Zealand in March
The weather in March is generally a few degrees cooler than in January and February, but still warm overall.
You won’t need to worry about heavy layers like thick puffer jackets, but it is handy to have wet weather gear and a light jacket so you can layer up and down as necessary.
You’re more likely to need a warm outer layer in the South Island — I know people who visited Aoraki Mount Cook Village in early March and the temperature dropped below zero overnight.
No matter where you go in New Zealand, you’ll want warmer clothes to change into in the evening, so a cosy jumper and long pants won’t go astray.
Pack your swimsuit — with warm sea and air temperatures, there are ample opportunities for swimming.
March is still sandal weather, so pack a pair of Tevas or Birkenstocks along with your hiking boots or sneakers.
Where to go in New Zealand in March
March is a great month for visiting almost anywhere in New Zealand — weather is good around the country and nowhere is particularly crowded.
The Coromandel
The Coromandel Peninsula is a popular summer holiday destination for Aucklanders, being only a two hour drive from the city.
This means March is a great time to go to the Coromandel, as school holidays are over and the families have gone back to the city, but the warm weather is still around.
You’ll be able to enjoy all the beaches and campgrounds without the crowds. I always look forward to March in the Coromandel (where I come from) as that’s when the holiday makers drain out and I have my favourite swimming spots to myself again.
The Far North
Up near Cape Reinga and the Bay of Islands, the weather will still typically be as warm as the peak of summer. Head to Matai Bay for incredible beaches and a waterfront campground, or enjoy visiting Paihia and nearby islands.
Queenstown
March is shoulder season in Queenstown, between the summer rush and the ski season which starts in June. This means it’s a good time to visit Queenstown for quieter hiking trails and crisp, clear bluebird days.
Wanaka
Wanaka makes a great base in March, with pleasant weather and easy access to different hikes, wineries, and other late summer activities.
Mount Aspiring National Park
March is my favourite time for hiking in Mount Aspiring National Park.
The Blue Pools walk is one of the most famous places to see the crystalline waters and beech forests the park is famous for, but there are myriad other walks to choose from.
You can walk part of the Routeburn Track, from the Glenorchy end, head into the West Matukituki Valley near Wanaka to hike to the Rob Roy Glacier or Aspiring Hut, or go for a true wilderness experience at Siberia Hut.
You might also like:
A March hike through Gillespie Pass in Mount Aspiring National Park
Thanks for reading this far! I hope this post helped you decide whether or not to visit in March.
If you’re still in the early stages of planning your trip, you might also find these posts useful:
