AI-generatedMotueka at a glance
- Best time
- Feb
- Warmest month
- Jan · 23°
- Warmest sea
- Feb · 19.8°
- Sunshine a year
- 2,130 h
- Rain a year
- 1,324 mm
- Climate
- Maritime
- Time zone
- UTC+13 / UTC+12
- Elevation
- 3 m
Climate in Motueka
Motueka has a maritime climate with moderate summers and cool, often grey winters. January is the warmest month with average highs of 23 °C, while July is the coolest at 12 °C. With around 2,130 hours of sunshine a year, Motueka is moderately sunny; February is the sunniest month with 7.7 hours a day.
Holiday weather through the year
Best time to visit Motueka
The best time to visit Motueka is in February. The sea stays too cool for a classic beach holiday: even in February it only reaches 19.8 °C. For sightseeing, day trips and hiking, conditions are most comfortable from January to May. Rain is frequent from August to December; the wettest month is October with 136 mm.
Motueka through the seasons
How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.
Motueka in spring
Sep – Nov
Poor
- 15–19 °C by day
- Sea 14 °C
- 6.1 h of sun a day
- 39 rainy days in all
Motueka in summer
Dec – Feb
Fair
- 21–23 °C by day
- Sea 19 °C
- 7.5 h of sun a day
- 32 rainy days in all
Motueka in autumn
Mar – May
Poor
- 16–21 °C by day
- Sea 17 °C
- 5.5 h of sun a day
- 31 rainy days in all
Motueka in winter
Jun – Aug
Poor
- 12–13 °C by day
- Sea 13 °C
- 4.3 h of sun a day
- 34 rainy days in all
Which month for what?
Beach & swimming
No month
Sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry
Sightseeing & hiking
Jan – May
15–28 °C and not too much rain
Rainy months
Aug – Dec
Rainy season or more than 12 rainy days
Find your perfect month
Tell us what you like and we rate every month in Motueka for you.
Your best months: January – February
Based on the climate averages; tap a month to see its details.
Weather in October
Weather in October
Holiday weather in October
Poor
Best time to visit: February
Where to go in OctoberSea temperature in October
Keep in mindFrequent rain
A typical day in October
- Morning, 08:00: about 10°
- Midday, 13:00: about 16°
- Afternoon, 16:00: about 17°
- Evening, 20:00: about 13°
- Night, 23:00: about 11°
06:4019:47
Cool evenings: pack a jumper or a jacket.
Estimated from the average high and low: coolest around sunrise, warmest in mid-afternoon.
Light for photos in October
- Golden hour
- Morning 06:23–07:17 · evening 19:10–20:04
- Blue hour
- Morning 06:12–06:23 · evening 20:04–20:15
Golden hour: the sun between 4° below and 6° above the horizon; blue hour: 6° to 4° below it. Times for the 15th of the month; mountains and clouds shift the light.
October in Motueka compared with home
Loading the climate at home …
Early or late October?
In October, daytime highs rise from about 16° at the start of the month to 18° at the end. The sea warms from 14° to 15°. The days get 1.3 h longer.
| October | 1 Oct | 31 Oct |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime high | 16° | 18° |
| Night-time low | 7° | 9° |
| Sea | 14° | 15° |
| Daylight | 12.5 h | 13.8 h |
What is the weather like in Motueka in October?
In October, Motueka is mild: daytime highs average 17 °C, and nights cool down to about 8 °C. The sea averages 14.2 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 6.0 hours of sunshine a day. It rains often – on about 14 days, adding up to 136 mm. All in all, October is not an ideal month for a holiday in Motueka.
More details for October
- Daylight
- 13 h 7 min06:40 – 19:47
- UV index
- 7 · highclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
- Muggy days
- 0 daysdew point 18 °C or moreAll months
- Wind
- 17 km/haverage daily peakAll months
- Cloud cover
- 60 %on averageAll months
- Hot days
- 0 days30 °C or more
- Time zone
- UTC+13offset from UTC
How the score comes together
- Temperatureweight 35 %0 %
- Seaweight 25 %0 %
- Sunshineweight 20 %50 %
- Few rainy daysweight 20 %28 %
Each factor is rated from 0 to 100 % and weighted for the travel style “Sun, sea & sand”.
What to pack in October
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses & sun hat
- A jumper for the evenings
- Rain jacket or umbrella
Compare two months in Motueka
Pick two months to see how the weather differs. A tick marks the clearly better value; for temperatures it depends on your plans.
February has the better holiday weather in Motueka: score 60 against 16. In February, days are 6 °C warmer than in October. The sea is 6 °C warmer in February. February has 6 fewer rainy days. The sun shines 2 hours longer a day in February.
| Month | October | February |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday weather score | 16 | 60better |
| Daytime high | 17° | 23° |
| Night-time low | 8° | 13° |
| Sea | 14.2° | 19.8° |
| Sunshine | 6.0 h | 7.7 hbetter |
| Rainy days | 14 | 8better |
| Rainfall | 136 mm | 79 mmbetter |
| Muggy days | 0better | 1 |
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Motueka month by month
The typical weather for every month at a glance.
54January23° · Sea 19° · 7.4 h
In January, Motueka is warm: daytime highs average 23 °C, and nights cool down to about 13 °C. The sea averages 19.1 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. The sun shines for around 7.4 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 92 mm in total. All in all, January is a so-so month for a holiday in Motueka.
Motueka in January60February23° · Sea 20° · 7.7 h
In February, Motueka is warm: daytime highs average 23 °C, and nights cool down to about 13 °C. The sea averages 19.8 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. The sun shines for around 7.7 hours a day. Rain falls on about 8 days, adding up to 79 mm. All in all, February is a good month for a holiday in Motueka.
Motueka in February43March21° · Sea 19° · 6.7 h
In March, Motueka is warm: daytime highs average 21 °C, and nights cool down to about 12 °C. The sea averages 18.9 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. The sun shines for around 6.7 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 9 rainy days and 87 mm in total. All in all, March is a so-so month for a holiday in Motueka.
Motueka in March20April18° · Sea 17° · 5.4 h
In April, Motueka is mild: daytime highs average 18 °C, and nights cool down to about 9 °C. The sea averages 17.3 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. Expect around 5.4 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 114 mm in total. All in all, April is not an ideal month for a holiday in Motueka.
Motueka in April14May16° · Sea 16° · 4.3 h
In May, Motueka is cool: daytime highs average 16 °C, and nights cool down to about 7 °C. The sea averages 15.6 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 4.3 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 124 mm in total. All in all, May is not an ideal month for a holiday in Motueka.
Motueka in May13June13° · Sea 14° · 3.9 h
In June, Motueka is cool: daytime highs average 13 °C, and nights cool down to about 5 °C. The sea averages 13.7 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 3.9 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 131 mm in total. All in all, June is not an ideal month for a holiday in Motueka.
Motueka in June15July12° · Sea 12° · 4.3 h
In July, Motueka is cool: daytime highs average 12 °C, and nights cool down to about 4 °C. The sea averages 12.3 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 4.3 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 119 mm in total. All in all, July is not an ideal month for a holiday in Motueka.
Motueka in July14August13° · Sea 12° · 4.8 h
In August, Motueka is cool: daytime highs average 13 °C, and nights cool down to about 4 °C. The sea averages 11.8 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 4.8 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 114 mm in total. All in all, August is not an ideal month for a holiday in Motueka.
Motueka in August16September15° · Sea 13° · 5.5 h
In September, Motueka is cool: daytime highs average 15 °C, and nights cool down to about 6 °C. The sea averages 12.7 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 5.5 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 107 mm in total. All in all, September is not an ideal month for a holiday in Motueka.
Motueka in September16October17° · Sea 14° · 6.0 h
In October, Motueka is mild: daytime highs average 17 °C, and nights cool down to about 8 °C. The sea averages 14.2 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 6.0 hours of sunshine a day. It rains often – on about 14 days, adding up to 136 mm. All in all, October is not an ideal month for a holiday in Motueka.
Motueka in October21November19° · Sea 16° · 6.8 h
In November, Motueka is mild: daytime highs average 19 °C, and nights cool down to about 10 °C. The sea averages 16.0 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 6.8 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 103 mm in total. All in all, November is not an ideal month for a holiday in Motueka.
Motueka in November36December21° · Sea 18° · 7.3 h
In December, Motueka is mild: daytime highs average 21 °C, and nights cool down to about 12 °C. The sea averages 17.9 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. The sun shines for around 7.3 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 117 mm in total. All in all, December is not an ideal month for a holiday in Motueka.
Motueka in DecemberClimate in detail
Year & climate table
Climate through the year
Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.
Nights and sleep in Motueka
How warm the nights get in each month, from the mean night-time low. Tap a month for details.
- Cold 0–8°
- Cool 8–15°
CoolOctober: nights around 8°. A duvet at night and a jumper for the evening.
The coolest nights are in July (4°), the warmest in January (13°). Nights fall below 8 °C on average from May to September, so the room should be heated.
Temperatures through the year
Average daytime high, night-time low and sea temperature per month.
| Month | Score | Day | Night | Sea | Sun | Rain days | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 54 | 23° | 13° | 19.1° | 7.4 h | 10 | 92 |
| FebruaryFeb | 60 | 23° | 13° | 19.8° | 7.7 h | 8 | 79 |
| MarchMar | 43 | 21° | 12° | 18.9° | 6.7 h | 9 | 87 |
| AprilApr | 20 | 18° | 9° | 17.3° | 5.4 h | 11 | 114 |
| MayMay | 14 | 16° | 7° | 15.6° | 4.3 h | 11 | 124 |
| JuneJun | 13 | 13° | 5° | 13.7° | 3.9 h | 11 | 131 |
| JulyJul | 15 | 12° | 4° | 12.3° | 4.3 h | 11 | 119 |
| AugustAug | 14 | 13° | 4° | 11.8° | 4.8 h | 12 | 114 |
| SeptemberSep | 16 | 15° | 6° | 12.7° | 5.5 h | 13 | 107 |
| OctoberOct | 16 | 17° | 8° | 14.2° | 6.0 h | 14 | 136 |
| NovemberNov | 21 | 19° | 10° | 16.0° | 6.8 h | 12 | 103 |
| DecemberDec | 36 | 21° | 12° | 17.9° | 7.3 h | 13 | 117 |
Climate averages 1996–2025 (sunshine partly WMO station normals 1991–2020), not a forecast. Data: Copernicus ERA5 / ERA5-Land via Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0), NOAA OISST, WMO 1991–2020 (NOAA NCEI), GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Sources & licences
41.13° S, 173.02° E · 3 m · Pacific/Auckland
Sea temperature
Sea temperature in Motueka
Monthly sea surface temperature with the range of cooler and warmer years.
8 in 10 years: 13.6 – 14.8 °C
Swimming season: Always below 20 °C
- cold
- fresh
- refreshing
- pleasant
- warm
- very warm
The sea temperature in Motueka ranges from 11.8 °C in August to 19.8 °C in February. Even at its warmest the sea stays below 20 °C, so swimming is bracing at best.
The sea warms up slowly: it is warmest in February, while the air already peaks in January. From May to June the sea is even warmer than the afternoon air. The sea temperature varies from year to year: in February, eight out of ten years were between 18.9 and 20.9 °C.
| Month | Average | Cool year | Warm year | Feels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 19.1° | 18.1° | 20.5° | fresh |
| FebruaryFeb | 19.8° | 18.9° | 20.9° | fresh |
| MarchMar | 18.9° | 17.8° | 19.8° | fresh |
| AprilApr | 17.3° | 16.6° | 18.1° | fresh |
| MayMay | 15.6° | 15.0° | 16.3° | cold |
| JuneJun | 13.7° | 13.2° | 14.3° | cold |
| JulyJul | 12.3° | 11.8° | 12.9° | cold |
| AugustAug | 11.8° | 11.3° | 12.4° | cold |
| SeptemberSep | 12.7° | 12.3° | 13.3° | cold |
| OctoberOct | 14.2° | 13.6° | 14.8° | cold |
| NovemberNov | 16.0° | 15.3° | 16.9° | cold |
| DecemberDec | 17.9° | 16.6° | 19.0° | fresh |
Sunshine
Sunshine hours in Motueka
Average hours of bright sunshine per day, next to the length of the day. Tap a month to select it.
In October, the sun shines for about 6.0 of 13.1 hours of daylight in Motueka, 46 % of the daylight hours.
Sunshine hours: estimated from radiation data (ERA5, 1996–2025) and calibrated against measured station values; no weather station is close enough here. Daylight is the time from sunrise to sunset on the 15th of the month.
Rain
Rain in Motueka: rainy days and rainfall
A rainy day is a day with at least 1 mm of rain or snow; the amount is what falls in the whole month. Tap a month to select it.
In October, Motueka has about 14 rainy days with 136 mm of rain in total.
UV index
UV index in Motueka
How strong the sun is at noon, month by month, and how quickly unprotected skin burns.
- Clear-sky UV in October
- 7 · highSeek shade around midday; sunscreen SPF 30+, hat and sunglasses.
The sun is strongest in December (UV 10).
Minutes until sunburn in October
- Very fair skin
- about 20 min
- Fair skin
- about 25 min
- Light brown skin
- about 35 min
- Olive skin
- about 45 min
Rough guide for unprotected skin at noon under a clear sky; clouds lengthen the time, water, sand and snow shorten it. Sunscreen extends the time only partly.
Monthly values: clear-sky noon estimate from the sun's angle, ozone and altitude. UV today: Open-Meteo forecast.
Wind & clouds
Wind and clouds in Motueka
How breezy and how cloudy Motueka is through the year. Tap a month to select it on the whole page.
Wind
Typical daily peak of the wind in km/h: what the afternoon breeze usually reaches, not the gusts.
In October, the wind in Motueka typically peaks at 17 km/h during the day: Beaufort 3, gentle breeze.
Breezy months for windsurfing and kiting
The daily breeze rarely reaches Beaufort 4 (20 km/h), so wind sports depend on single windy days.
Clouds
Average share of the sky covered by cloud, day and night.
In October, cloud covers on average 60 % of the sky over Motueka: variable cloud, with about 6.0 hours of sunshine a day.
Wind: mean daily maximum of the hourly wind 10 m above ground (ERA5, 1996–2025). Gusts are stronger, and the model grid of about 28 km smooths out local effects such as capes and valley winds. Clouds: mean total cloud cover of all layers over day and night (ERA5, 1996–2025). Thin high cloud counts as cover even when the sun still shines through.
Planning a trip to Motueka
Weather for your travel dates
Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.
Motueka in the school holidays
How the weather suits the usual holiday periods. Dates vary by school and region, so each holiday uses the months it usually falls in.
Motueka has its best school-holiday weather during the Christmas holidays (score 45) and its weakest during May half-term (score 14).
- 27
Easter holidays
Mar – Apr
Poor
- 19 °C by day
- Sea 18 °C
- 5.8 h of sun a day
- 10 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
- 14
May half-term
May – Jun
Poor
- 15 °C by day
- Sea 15 °C
- 4.2 h of sun a day
- 11 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
- 14
Summer holidays
Jul – Aug
Poor
- 13 °C by day
- Sea 12 °C
- 4.6 h of sun a day
- 12 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
- 16
October half-term
Oct
Poor
- 17 °C by day
- Sea 14 °C
- 6.0 h of sun a day
- 14 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
- 45
Christmas holidays
Dec – Jan
FairBest holidays
- 22 °C by day
- Sea 19 °C
- 7.4 h of sun a day
- 12 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Getting there
Flying from
- Nonstop flight
- about 23 h 5 min
- Distance
- 18,760 km
- Time zone
- UTC+13
- Jet lag
- About 12 days (12 h east)
Rule of thumb for flying east: for a few days before, go to bed and get up a little earlier, and get plenty of morning light at your destination.
Most routes need a change of planes, which adds time.
Estimated from the straight-line distance: 30 minutes for take-off and landing plus 830 km/h cruising speed.
Good to know: New Zealand
- Currency
- New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
- Languages
- English, Māori
- Sockets
- Type I · 230 V
- Traffic
- Drives on the left
- Dialling code
- +64
- Emergency number
- 111
UK plugs need a travel adapter
Sources: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0). Please check details before you travel.
Compare & alternatives
Compare with another place
Motueka compared
Put Motueka side by side with another destination.
Motueka vs Nelson
In October the holiday weather in Motueka and Nelson is about equally good (score 16 vs 19). During the day it is about as warm in Nelson as in Motueka. The sea is about equally warm. Nelson gets one more hour of sunshine a day.
| in October | Motueka | Nelson |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday weather score | 16 | 19 |
| Daytime high | 17° | 17° |
| Sea | 14° | 14° |
| Sunshine | 6 h | 7 h |
| Rainy days | 14 | 14 |
| Best time | Feb | Feb |
Through the year
Best places in the country
New Zealand in October: the best places
In October, Motueka ranks 24 among the 31 nearest destinations in this country.
- Hastings19°82
- 2Blenheim18°74
- 3Tauranga18°16°74
- 4Christchurch17°73
- 5Masterton17°69
- 6Cambridge18°69
- 7Matamata18°69
- 8Ashburton17°68
- 24MotuekaThis page17°14°16
Places nearby
Near Motueka
Other destinations close by.
Places with a similar climate
Places with a climate like Motueka
Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to Motueka's – good alternatives.
Frequently asked questions about Motueka
When is the best time to visit Motueka?
The best time to visit Motueka is in February. That is when the holiday weather score, which combines temperature, sea, sunshine and rain, is highest.
How warm is the sea in Motueka?
The sea temperature in Motueka ranges from 11.8 °C in August to 19.8 °C in February. Even at its warmest the sea stays below 20 °C, so swimming is bracing at best.
Can you swim in Motueka in October?
Only if you don't mind cold water: in October the sea averages just 14.2 °C. Comfortable swimming temperatures are not reached at any time of year.
What is the warmest month in Motueka?
January is the warmest month, with average highs of 23 °C and nights around 13 °C. July is the coolest month at 12 °C.
When does it rain most in Motueka?
Rain is frequent from August to December; the wettest month is October with 136 mm. The driest month is February with 79 mm.
How many hours of sunshine does Motueka get?
Motueka gets around 2,130 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is February with 7.7 hours a day; in June there are 3.9 hours a day.
What time zone is Motueka in?
Motueka is on UTC+13 in January and UTC+12 in July.
How long is the flight from London to Motueka?
A nonstop flight from London to Motueka takes about 23 h 5 min, for a straight-line distance of about 18,760 km. Most routes need a change of planes, which adds time.
Which school holidays are best for Motueka?
Motueka has its best school-holiday weather during the Christmas holidays (score 45) and its weakest during May half-term (score 14). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 27, May half-term 14, summer holidays 14, October half-term 16, Christmas holidays 45.