Napier, on New Zealand’s sunny Hawke’s Bay coast, features a temperate maritime climate with warm, dry summers and mild, wetter winters. The city enjoys abundant sunshine, moderate rainfall, and cooling sea breezes. With comfortable year-round temperatures and vibrant seasonal changes, Napier is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, wine lovers, and beachgoers alike.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Napier’s climate is shaped by its coastal location and surrounding ranges, resulting in four distinct seasons and mild temperature swings. Summers (December–February) are warm, dry, and sunny, with average highs of 23–25°C and lows of 13–15°C. January and February are the warmest months, and heatwaves above 30°C are rare but possible. Summer brings long daylight hours – up to 14.6 hours in January – and around 7–8 hours of sunshine daily. Humidity is moderate, and the Pacific Ocean helps keep temperatures comfortable. The sun’s UV index is very high, so sun protection is essential.
Winters (June–August) are mild compared to much of New Zealand, with average highs of 14–15°C and lows of 4–6°C. Frost is rare, but rain is more frequent, with July being the wettest month (86–108 mm of rain over 10–12 days). Days are shorter, with 9–10 hours of daylight and 4–5 hours of sunshine. Spring (September–November) and autumn (March–May) are transitional, with mild to warm temperatures (17–22°C), moderate rainfall, and vibrant foliage or blossoming gardens. Annual precipitation is moderate, averaging 790–1,000 mm, and Napier is one of New Zealand’s sunniest cities, with 2,200–2,330 sunshine hours per year. Winds are generally moderate, with occasional strong gusts, especially in spring and summer, providing relief from the summer heat and supporting the region’s reputation for excellent wine production.
| Average climate data for Napier, New Zealand | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 25 | 24 | 23 | 20 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 19 | 21 | 23 | 25 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 15 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 6 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 47 | 55 | 68 | 68 | 75 | 81 | 109 | 60 | 58 | 60 | 52 | 53 | 788 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 88 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 70 | 74 | 75 | 78 | 79 | 80 | 80 | 75 | 69 | 68 | 67 | 67 | 74 |
| Average water temperature (°C) | 19 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 16 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 6 |
| Average UV index | 11 | 10 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 6 |
The best time to visit Napier is from December to March, when temperatures are warmest (23–25°C), rainfall is lowest, and the city is lively with outdoor events, festivals, and beach activities. These months offer the most sunshine and ideal conditions for exploring vineyards, cycling trails, and the scenic coastline.
The least favourable time to visit Napier is from June to August, when rainfall is highest, days are shortest, and cooler, damp weather can limit outdoor activities. While winters remain mild, frequent rain and overcast skies may disrupt beach plans, though the city’s cafes, museums, and art deco architecture offer plenty of indoor attractions.
Napier has a temperate maritime climate with warm, dry summers and mild, wetter winters. Temperatures range from 14°C in winter to 25°C in summer, and the city enjoys abundant sunshine and moderate rainfall year-round.
The best time to visit Napier is from December to March, when the weather is warm, sunny, and dry. These months are perfect for beaches, outdoor events, and exploring the region’s vineyards and scenic coast.
Napier receives moderate rainfall, averaging 790–1,000 mm annually. Rain falls year-round, with the wettest months in winter (June–August) and the driest in summer. Showers are often brief, and sunshine returns quickly.
Summer highs in Napier typically reach 23–25°C, with January and February being the warmest months. Heatwaves above 30°C are rare, and sea breezes help keep the heat comfortable.
Napier experiences moderate to strong winds, especially in spring and summer. The prevailing winds are from the northwest, with occasional gusts that provide relief from summer heat and support the region’s vineyards.
Pack light, breathable clothing, sun protection, and a hat for summer. In spring and autumn, bring layers and a light jacket. For winter, pack warm clothes and a rain jacket. Always use high SPF sun cream due to the strong UV.
Napier is one of New Zealand’s sunniest cities, receiving about 2,200–2,330 hours of sunshine annually. Summer days are long and bright, while winter days are shorter but still offer several hours of sun.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is January (24.5 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is July (14 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 19.4 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is February (14.5 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is July (5.7 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 10.1 °C.
The month with the highest average water temperature is February (19.9 °C). The month with the lowest average water temperature is August (13.6 °C). Overall, the average water temperature over the whole year is 16.5 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is July (109.3 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is January (47.4 mm). Over the whole year there are 787.8 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is July (9.3 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is February (5.9 days). Over the whole year there are 87.6 days of rain on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is June (80.4 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is December (67.3 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 73.6 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is December (Average daylight: 14.1 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is June (Average daylight: 9 h). Over the whole year there are 11.7 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is January (Average sunshine: 8 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is June (Average sunshine: 3.9 h). Over the whole year there are 5.9 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are January and December (UV index: 11). The month with the lowest average UV index is June (UV index: 1). Over the whole year the average UV index is 5.7.
