Our Seasons

Basking in a mild Mediterranean climate, Hawke’s Bay boasts some of New Zealand’s best and most consistent weather. If you’re a sunseeker, look no further. Thanks to subtropical conditions and Hawke’s Bay’s East Coast location, Summer offers some of the driest and warm temperatures you’ll find in the country. Winter is also good to the region - when the cooler months roll round, they bring blue-skied, crisp mornings and average rainfall. The four mellow seasons mean that Hawke’s Bay is the perfect destination for your trip at any time of the year.

Fun facts

Hawke’s Bay generally sees upwards of 2,250 hours of sunshine each year - among the highest anywhere in New Zealand.
The highest ever recorded temperature was 38.0 degrees, recorded at Wairoa on 11 January 1979.

Hello Spring

Spring is the season for adventure. Temperatures are on rise, the tracks are drying out ready for walkers, runners and cyclists, and the visible signs of nature waking up from its slumber are obvious at every turn. Blooms begin to flourish, and the famous Hawke's Bay Farmers' Market is bursting with bumper crops of new season fruit and veges alongside a wealth of artisan goodness.

Thousands of male gannets have made their way to Cape Kidnappers, where they feather their nests in anticipation of the arrival of their mates. New-born lambs appear in numbers, their excited cries telling us that Spring has well and truly emerged.

Central Hawke’s Bay is lively with action from the Spring Fling, Hastings welcomes the new season with a Blossom Festival, and the Spring Racing Carnival pairs high fashion with a friendly punt at the Hawke’s Bay Racecourse.

Daily temperature

Average high 18°C / 64°F
Average low 9°C / 48°F

Hello Summer

When Summer swings in, sun lovers head out. Long days carrying lingering heat offer the perfect excuse to take a dip at one of Hawke’s Bay’s many relatively untouched beaches, attend outdoor concerts, dine outdoors, and play twilight cricket as the sun begins its late descent.

The Summer holiday period brings a flurry of visitors and also signals the start of wedding season, when every day is a day of celebration. The winding cycle trails are alive with winery-hopping cyclists and the coastal settlements are humming with the sound of outboards, as keen boaties prepare to spend another day on the ocean.

Cruise ships begin their daily visits, and Art Deco enthusiasts from around the globe are preparing to flock to the region for February’s annual Art Deco Festival.

Daily temperature

Average high 22°C / 72°F
Average low 13°C / 55°F

Hello Autumn

As Summer falls away, nature's colours come out to play when Autumn reawakens. The stunning Hawke’s Bay landscape is ablaze in gold from the weakening sun, and leaves begin their metamorphosis into various shades of red, brown and yellow.

There’s no better way to witness the magic than an early morning or late afternoon hike along the tree-lined trails leading to the summit of Te Mata Peak. With wide-sweeping views of the region and the Pacific Ocean, it’s a sight worth climbing for. Over on the region's many golf courses, the fairways are rejuvenated with new lush growth following the long hot Summer.

For a weekend getaway with a difference, the Air New Zealand Hawke’s Bay International Marathon in May offers participants a route of spectacular cycle trails, vineyards, olive groves and secluded country roads, concluding with a winery finish line.

Daily temperature

Average high 19°C / 66°F
Average low 10°C / 50°F

Hello Winter

The season’s chill calls for hibernation, but Hawke’s Bay does not stay dormant over the colder months. Early Winter brings crisp mornings with frost-topped grass to the suburbs, and the first dustings of snow on the ranges. Life carries on indoors – families gather as toasty fires are lit with hearty meals prepared and shared.

There are experiences to be had at luxury lodges and boutique hotels for an intimate escape or weekend rendezvous. June also marks the month of Winter F.A.W.C! (Food and Wine Classic), the now famous month-long festival marrying the finest local produce and wine to delight all foodies.

The region's burgeoning arts scene makes Winter an ideal opportunity to explore our many galleries, while the roar from McLean Park tells us the Magpies are making the region proud yet again.

Daily temperature

Average high 14°C / 58°F
Average low 5°C / 40°F