Climate Overview
The climate in Hokitika is temperate. The average annual temperature is 12°C and approximately 3605mm of precipitation falls per year. Hokitika receives a notable amount of rainfall throughout the year, including during its driest month. Hokitika is in the Southern Hemisphere. The seasons are reversed — summer runs from December to February, while winter falls between June and August. The summer months are: February, January, March. The coldest months are July, August, June, when temperatures can drop to 5°C.
Temperature
Hokitika sees moderate temperature variation throughout the year, ranging from 5°C to 19°C. February is the warmest month, though highs remain moderate at 19°C with a mean of 16°C. July is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 5°C and an average of 8°C. Daily temperature variation is modest, with an average difference of 6°C between highs and lows. The sharpest temperature change occurs between March and April, with a 3°C shift in average temperatures.
Precipitation
Hokitika is a very wet location, receiving approximately 3605mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 300mm per month. The wettest month is November, averaging 359mm of rainfall. May and December also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is June, with just 241mm. That's 118mm less than November, the wettest month. Rainfall is relatively evenly distributed throughout the year, so there is no pronounced dry or wet season to plan around.
Wind
Hokitika is mildly breezy, with an average annual wind speed of 15km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is October, averaging 17km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in June, with average winds dropping to 13km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. Wind conditions are fairly consistent throughout the year, varying by only 4km/h between the calmest and windiest months.
Seasons
89 days until Winter
It is currently autumn in Hokitika, which began on March 20, 2026. Hokitika is in the Southern Hemisphere, where the seasons are reversed — spring starts in September, summer in December, autumn in March, and winter in June. The warmest period peaks in February at around 19°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in July near 5°C. Winter is next, beginning on June 21, 2026 — 89 days from now.
Spring
Temperatures range from 7 to 16°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 993mm across the season with a monthly average of 331mm. Winds are moderate at around 16km/h. An umbrella or waterproof jacket is advisable as spring showers are frequent.
Summer
Temperatures range from 12 to 19°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 896mm across the season with a monthly average of 299mm. Winds are moderate at around 16km/h. Comfortable clothing with a light layer for cooler evenings is all you need.
Autumn
Temperatures range from 8 to 18°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 899mm across the season with a monthly average of 300mm. Winds are generally light, averaging 14km/h. A waterproof jacket and sturdy footwear are recommended as rain becomes more frequent.
Winter
Temperatures range from 5 to 12°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 817mm across the season with a monthly average of 272mm. Winds are generally light, averaging 14km/h. A light jacket or sweater is usually sufficient, though cooler evenings may call for an extra layer.
Monthly Climate Data
The table below shows monthly climate averages for Hokitika based on historical weather data. Min and max temperatures represent typical overnight lows and afternoon highs for each month, shown in degrees Celsius (°C). Precipitation is measured in millimetres (mm) and indicates the average total rainfall per month. Wind speed is the average sustained speed in kilometres per hour (km/h). All values are based on averages from over 10 years of historical weather data. The current month is highlighted for quick reference.
