What to do in January in New Zealand - 2025

New Zealand is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Made up of two large main islands, North Island and South Island, New Zealand is a country of rare scenic variety:

  • active volcanoes and
  • geysers.
  • fjords,
  • jungle,
  • beaches,
  • seething lakes,
  • alpine valleys,
  • glacial mountains,

By Pumpmeup - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link

Before we have a look at what you can do in New Zealand, let's first look at the weather you can expect in January.

January weather in New Zealand

To get a good overview of the type of weather you can expect in January in New Zealand, we will look at the day and night temperature, minimum and maximum water temperature, and if January is comfortable or humid

Generally, January in New Zealand will be really nice. Historical data shows that you can expect an average temperature of around 73°F / 23°C. But due to the very dry air, it can feel somewhat uncomfortable for some people. During the night, it will cool down to around 50°F / 10°C.

New Zealand has rainy days in January. You can expect around 9 rainy days, with on average 1.3 inches / 33 mm of rain during the whole month.

Average temperature
Average Sea temperature
Wintersun Comfort grade and huricane risk

The forecast for January 2025 is based on historical data and are averages. They will give a good indication what you can expect, but the daily temperature and rain will fluctuate during the month.

Things to see and do in New Zealand

New Zealand has many things to soo. With help from our visitors we have dived a list of things to see in. If you have any sugestions or improvements for this list, please let us know.

Fiordland
Nature/Wild LifeThroughout the Year
Fiordland is a rainy place with lots of greenery and unique beauty that you never experience in urban areas.
Tongariro National Park
ParkThroughout the Year
There are three volcanoes in Tongariro National Park namely Ngauruhoe, Tongariro, and Ruapehu.
Auckland Museum
MuseumThroughout the Year
Auckland Museum is a historic place that tells the story of the bygone days and ancient tribes.
Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland
Nature/Wild LifeThroughout the Year
Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland has geysers that let out steam attracting thousands of visitors each year.
Ulva Island
Nature/Wild LifeThroughout the Year
There are millions of birds on Ulva Island making it the birdwatcher's heaven.
New Zealand National Maritime Museum
MuseumThroughout the Year
New Zealand National Maritime Museum is an amazing place that brings to the scene some underwater facts.
Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers
Nature/Wild LifeThroughout the Year
Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers is an incredible place close to the ocean.
World Buskers Festival
Event/FestivalJan
World Buskers Festival is a street entertaining show organized by some of the most famous stars.
Check details here.
Ninety Mile Beach and Cape Reinga
BeachThroughout the Year
Ninety Mile Beach and Cape Reinga are excellent places where people come for various activities.
The Catlins Coast
BeachThroughout the Year
There are waterfalls, birds, and animals on the Catlins Coast.
Museum of New Zealand - Te Papa Tongarewa
MuseumThroughout the Year
Museum of New Zealand - Te Papa Tongarewa is one of the world's largest museums revealing the culture and tradition of the region.

Shopping in New Zealand

The Warehouse, commonly referred to as The Red Shed, is the New Zealand equivalent of Walmart. Regular stores are found in all cities and most large towns, with some smaller stores also operating in rural towns.
More traditional department stores include mid-market Farmers and the upmarket department stores in the major cities: Smith & Caughey's in Auckland and Ballantyne's in Christchurch.

Activities in New Zealand

Food festival
Enjoy the Marlborough Food & wine festival.

Wellington Cable Car
You can enjoy a scenic train ride through town.

Stargazing at Mount Cook and Canterbury
Watch the skies come alive with twinkling in the darkest night skies.

Whale watching
you can get to see humpback & blue whales migrating.

Golfing
Golf enthusiasts can enjoy some interesting and beautiful golf courses.

Orchards
Visit Orchards and Gardens

Ocean battle
Watch oceans battle at Cape Reinga, where two oceans meet.

Cycling
If you are interested in cycling, you can cycle through the towns while experiencing nature.

Enjoy the best beaches
The coast of New Zealand has beautiful and sometimes secluded beaches.

Food festival
Visit the Hokitika wild foods Festival.

Volcano
Visit an active volcano

Shopping
There are many options for shopping activities.

Hot pool and spa
Due to the volcanic activity in New Zealand, there are several Hot Pools and health spas.

Food festival
Taste some delicious dishes at the Auckland Food Festival.

Visit Film Locations
you can take tours to see movie locations like the famous Hobbit village from the Lord of The Rings Movies.

Experience Maori Culture
You can get to see some traditional dances, villages, or other ceremonies.

Restaurants in New Zealand

With 15000 km (9323 Miles) of coastline, it's no wonder New Zealand is home to some of the best seafood in the world. Creamy green-lipped mussels can be found in Marlborough, especially in Havelock. And Mount Cook is known for delicious king salmon.

The Māori hāngī is a traditional earth oven style of cooking. Now saved mainly for special occasions, foods cooked in a hāngī include chicken, pork and mutton, as well as pumpkin, potato and kumara (sweet potato).

More things to see in New Zealand

Bay of Islands
On the North Island of New Zealand, the bay of islands is most popular for big game fishing, sailing, and Maori sites.

Larnach Castle
Larnach Castle is a 148 years old castle restored by the Barker Family and has an interesting history. It has twelve themed rooms and is New Zealand's only Castle.

Canterbury Museum
Located in Christchurch, the Canterbury Museum is one of the most popular attractions. There you can learn about the natural history of Canterbury. It is located close to the Botanic Gardens in the center of Christchurch.

Auckland War Memorial Museum
With military history but also natural history, the Auckland War Memorial Museum is one of the most important New Zealand museums.

Doubtful Sound
The beautiful fiord Doubtful Sound is not to miss, and is the second most famous tourist destination after the smaller but more famous Milford Sound / Piopiotahi.

Dunedin Railways
A great way to explore the beautiful scenery of Dunedin in the Otago region is the Railway. You can take the train to travel from Dunedin to Oamaru and back and enjoy stunning views of the North Otago Coast.

Te Puia
This location has a Maori Museum & geothermal geyser that attracts a great number of tourists all year round.

Vulcanos
New Zealand has several active volcanoes you can visit.

Waitomo Glowworm caves
It is a cave at Waitomo on the north island of New Zealand. It is a popular attraction because of a glowworm species that are exclusively found in New Zealand. There are organized tours that include boat rides to experience the glowworms.

White Island
Whakaari, or White Island is the top of an active stratovolcano in the Bay of Plenty.

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa is New Zealand's national museum and is located in Wellington.

Otago central rail trail
Walk or cycle a part of the South Island's 150km long Otago Central Rail Trail. It is perfect for the whole family and less experienced cyclists.

Milford Sound
The site boasts of incredible waterfalls, seals & penguins, and famous Mitre Peak. It is one of New Zealand's most famous tourist attractions.

Hamilton Garden
Hamilton Gardens is a public garden park and is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Waikato. The garden park was the home to Ngāti Wairere chief Haanui and was used for sacred rituals.

More information about New Zealand

What to do in New Zealand in other months

Weather in New Zealand for each month


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