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When to go · Rotorua

Rotorua in December

Great month. Inside Rotorua's best window: All year; Dec–Mar warmest and busiest, Oct–Nov and Mar–Apr quieter with good walking weather.

Key facts

Verdict
Great
Temperature
22°C (72°F) / 12°C (54°F)
average high / low
Rain days
9
Crowds
High
New Zealand overall
Prices
High
New Zealand overall

Verdict

GreatBest and avoid months for Rotorua

Inside Rotorua's best window: All year; Dec–Mar warmest and busiest, Oct–Nov and Mar–Apr quieter with good walking weather.

Is another month better than December?

No other month rates higher than December for Rotorua in this guide.

Weather in December

Long-term averages
  • RotoruaHighs around 22 °C (72 °F), lows around 12 °C (54 °F), rain on about 9 days
  • Central North Island, New Zealand · Rotorua, Taupō, Tongarirobest weather

    The volcanic plateau is high: frosts and snow on the Tongariro Crossing in winter (guided only then); summer is the crossing season.

Festivals and holidays

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

  • Christmas and Boxing Day big impact

    25–26 Dec · New Zealand

    Shops closed on the 25th; start of the six-week summer holiday when locals take the campsites.

Crowds and prices

Crowds · New Zealand overall
High
Prices · New Zealand overall
High

New Zealand overall: Summer begins; after 20 December locals take the roads and campsites — book everything.

High-price month: see what to book ahead.

Compare two months

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Rotorua, side by side.

  • Verdict

    Dec: Great

    Jan: Great

  • Daytime high

    Dec: 22 °C (72 °F)

    Jan: 23 °C (73 °F)

  • Night low

    Dec: 12 °C (54 °F)

    Jan: 13 °C (55 °F)

  • Rain days

    Dec: 9

    Jan: 8 (better)

  • Crowds

    Dec: High

    Jan: High

  • Prices

    Dec: High

    Jan: High

  • Festivals listed

    Dec: 1

    Jan: 1

December: Inside Rotorua's best window: All year; Dec–Mar warmest and busiest, Oct–Nov and Mar–Apr quieter with good walking weather.

January: Inside Rotorua's best window: All year; Dec–Mar warmest and busiest, Oct–Nov and Mar–Apr quieter with good walking weather.

Rotorua: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.

What to pack

  • A warm layer for the evenings

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Across New Zealand in December →