September is one of the cooler months of the year in Rotorua, with average highs near 13.9°C and lows around 7.3°C (mean 10.6°C). It is about average for rainfall, averaging 94 mm of rainfall and 84% relative humidity across the period.
September is one of the cooler months of the year in Rotorua. Across 45 years of records, the warmest Septembers in Rotorua were 1988, 2005 and 2023 — when the month averaged 11.6°C — while the coldest was 1992 at 8.6°C. Typical September days reach 13.9°C with nights near 7.3°C. The long-term September temperature trend is broadly flat.
September is about average for rainfall in Rotorua, averaging 94 mm of rainfall. The wettest September on record was 2022 with 221 mm, while the driest was 2011 at 42 mm.
Relative humidity in Rotorua during September averages 84%. The most humid September was 1992 at 88%, and the least humid was 2000 at 80%.
September receives about 3.7 kWh/m²/day of solar energy in Rotorua. The sunniest Septembers were 2006 and 2018 at 4.1 kWh/m²/day, and the cloudiest was 2010 at 3.1.
Average wind speed in Rotorua during September is 1.9 m/s. The windiest September was 1981 at 2.5 m/s, while the calmest was 2009 at 1.4 m/s.
Ranked against the other 11 months using 1981–2025 averages.
| Metric | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020s | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 10.7°C | 10.0°C | 11.0°C | 10.6°C | 10.9°C | +0.2°C |
| Avg High | 14.0°C | 13.3°C | 14.5°C | 13.8°C | 14.3°C | +0.3°C |
| Avg Low | 7.4°C | 6.7°C | 7.4°C | 7.4°C | 7.5°C | +0.1°C |
| Avg Rain | 88 mm | 101 mm | 71 mm | 95 mm | 127 mm | +40 mm |
September temperatures in Rotorua have risen by about 0.5°C between 1981–1985 and 2021–2025.
September has ranged from a record low of 0.5°C (1992) to a record high of 19.5°C (2023).
Rainfall in September is about average for rainfall, averaging 94 mm, with a wettest year of 221 mm.
A quieter season to visit Rotorua
If your dates are flexible, the more temperate months of February and January tend to be the most comfortable for visiting Rotorua. That said, September — with days averaging 13.9°C and nights around 7.3°C (mean 10.6°C) and higher rainfall (94 mm) — can still be rewarding for travellers who don't mind the cooler conditions, and often means fewer crowds.
| Year | Avg High | Avg Temp | Avg Low | Hottest Day | Coldest Day | Rainfall | Humidity | Wind | Solar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 14.2°C | 11.0°C | 7.8°C | 18.3°C | 2.9°C | 115 mm | 84% | 2.2 m/s | 3.5 |
| 2024 | 14.8°C | 11.0°C | 7.2°C | 17.1°C | 2.0°C | 44 mm | 83% | 1.9 m/s | 4 |
| 2023 | 14.7°C | 11.6°C | 8.6°C | 19.5°C | 4.5°C | 204 mm | 86% | 2.1 m/s | 3.7 |
| 2022 🌧️ | 14.1°C | 11.0°C | 8.0°C | 17.7°C | 2.7°C | 221 mm | 84% | 1.6 m/s | 3.4 |
| 2021 | 13.9°C | 10.4°C | 6.9°C | 17.5°C | 3.6°C | 134 mm | 84% | 2 m/s | 3.5 |
| 2020 | 14.2°C | 10.4°C | 6.6°C | 17.2°C | 2.1°C | 46 mm | 81% | 2.1 m/s | 4 |
| 2019 | 14.0°C | 10.7°C | 7.4°C | 16.9°C | 4.2°C | 90 mm | 84% | 2.1 m/s | 3.7 |
| 2018 | 14.3°C | 10.8°C | 7.3°C | 18.5°C | 2.7°C | 52 mm | 84% | 1.7 m/s | 4.1 |
| 2017 | 13.8°C | 10.8°C | 7.8°C | 17.4°C | 3.5°C | 150 mm | 87% | 1.9 m/s | 3.3 |
| 2016 | 14.0°C | 11.2°C | 8.4°C | 16.3°C | 3.8°C | 122 mm | 87% | 1.9 m/s | 3.2 |
| 2015 | 13.1°C | 9.6°C | 6.2°C | 15.2°C | 1.6°C | 110 mm | 83% | 1.8 m/s | 3.7 |
| 2014 | 14.1°C | 10.9°C | 7.7°C | 17.5°C | 2.5°C | 85 mm | 85% | 2 m/s | 3.6 |
| 2013 | 14.0°C | 11.0°C | 8.1°C | 17.4°C | 2.6°C | 95 mm | 85% | 2.1 m/s | 3.4 |
| 2012 | 13.4°C | 10.3°C | 7.2°C | 18.8°C | 1.0°C | 81 mm | 82% | 2.1 m/s | 3.5 |
| 2011 | 13.3°C | 9.6°C | 5.9°C | 15.5°C | 1.4°C | 42 mm | 82% | 1.8 m/s | 4 |
| 2010 | 13.5°C | 10.7°C | 7.9°C | 17.8°C | 4.1°C | 122 mm | 87% | 2.3 m/s | 3.1 |
| 2009 | 14.8°C | 11.1°C | 7.5°C | 18.3°C | 1.3°C | 94 mm | 84% | 1.4 m/s | 3.8 |
| 2008 | 14.6°C | 11.1°C | 7.6°C | 17.9°C | 4.5°C | 56 mm | 83% | 1.7 m/s | 3.9 |
| 2007 | 14.1°C | 10.7°C | 7.3°C | 16.7°C | 2.5°C | 61 mm | 84% | 1.6 m/s | 3.5 |
| 2006 | 15.1°C | 11.4°C | 7.7°C | 18.6°C | 5.0°C | 46 mm | 83% | 1.6 m/s | 4.1 |
| 2005 | 15.1°C | 11.6°C | 8.2°C | 17.5°C | 2.2°C | 76 mm | 84% | 1.8 m/s | 3.6 |
| 2004 | 13.0°C | 9.5°C | 6.0°C | 15.7°C | 1.5°C | 71 mm | 84% | 2.1 m/s | 3.6 |
| 2003 | 14.4°C | 11.3°C | 8.2°C | 18.4°C | 5.1°C | 127 mm | 86% | 2.1 m/s | 3.3 |
| 2002 | 14.6°C | 10.9°C | 7.2°C | 17.1°C | 1.4°C | 64 mm | 81% | 2 m/s | 3.5 |
| 2001 | 14.7°C | 11.1°C | 7.5°C | 18.5°C | 3.1°C | 48 mm | 81% | 1.7 m/s | 3.8 |
| 2000 | 14.7°C | 10.9°C | 7.2°C | 18.5°C | 2.2°C | 63 mm | 80% | 1.8 m/s | 3.6 |
| 1999 | 14.9°C | 11.1°C | 7.3°C | 18.5°C | 2.1°C | 68 mm | 81% | 1.6 m/s | 3.9 |
| 1998 | 14.9°C | 11.2°C | 7.5°C | 18.1°C | 2.8°C | 43 mm | 82% | 2 m/s | 3.8 |
| 1997 | 12.8°C | 9.7°C | 6.6°C | 16.0°C | 0.8°C | 129 mm | 84% | 1.9 m/s | 3.4 |
| 1996 | 14.3°C | 11.1°C | 7.9°C | 17.6°C | 2.8°C | 125 mm | 87% | 1.8 m/s | 3.6 |
| 1995 | 13.8°C | 10.6°C | 7.3°C | 18.2°C | 2.0°C | 98 mm | 85% | 1.7 m/s | 3.6 |
| 1994 | 12.2°C | 9.2°C | 6.1°C | 15.4°C | 2.8°C | 139 mm | 87% | 2.1 m/s | 3.4 |
| 1993 | 12.0°C | 8.7°C | 5.5°C | 16.4°C | 1.2°C | 65 mm | 83% | 2 m/s | 3.7 |
| 1992 ❄️ | 11.6°C | 8.6°C | 5.5°C | 14.9°C | 0.5°C | 125 mm | 88% | 1.9 m/s | 3.7 |
| 1991 | 13.2°C | 10.4°C | 7.6°C | 15.6°C | 4.0°C | 102 mm | 87% | 1.9 m/s | 3.6 |
| 1990 | 13.1°C | 9.5°C | 5.9°C | 15.7°C | 1.8°C | 111 mm | 83% | 1.6 m/s | 4 |
| 1989 | 14.5°C | 11.3°C | 8.1°C | 17.5°C | 0.6°C | 102 mm | 85% | 1.8 m/s | 3.7 |
| 1988 🔥 | 14.6°C | 11.6°C | 8.5°C | 18.1°C | 2.3°C | 108 mm | 87% | 1.9 m/s | 3.5 |
| 1987 | 13.5°C | 10.4°C | 7.3°C | 17.9°C | 4.5°C | 68 mm | 84% | 2.3 m/s | 3.7 |
| 1986 | 13.8°C | 10.4°C | 7.0°C | 17.1°C | 2.8°C | 113 mm | 85% | 1.9 m/s | 3.8 |
| 1985 | 13.2°C | 10.4°C | 7.6°C | 17.1°C | 3.5°C | 101 mm | 84% | 2.3 m/s | 4 |
| 1984 | 13.7°C | 10.3°C | 7.0°C | 16.4°C | 2.8°C | 97 mm | 85% | 1.7 m/s | 3.7 |
| 1983 | 14.7°C | 11.1°C | 7.4°C | 17.1°C | 2.3°C | 82 mm | 83% | 2.1 m/s | — |
| 1982 | 14.3°C | 10.4°C | 6.6°C | 17.8°C | 1.6°C | 50 mm | 81% | 1.5 m/s | — |
| 1981 | 13.3°C | 10.2°C | 7.2°C | 16.3°C | 3.4°C | 68 mm | 83% | 2.5 m/s | — |
Actual recorded September data for each year, 1981–2025 — sourced from NASA POWER.
The average high in September is around 13.9°C with lows near 7.3°C (mean 10.6°C), based on 45 years of NASA POWER data.
September averages 94 mm of rainfall in Rotorua, about average for rainfall. The wettest on record was 221 mm in 2022.
The hottest September reached 19.5°C in 2023. The coldest dipped to 0.5°C in 1992.
Comparing the earliest years on record (1981–1985) with the most recent (2021–2025), average September temperatures have risen by about 0.5°C. Daytime highs moved from 13.8°C to 14.3°C and overnight lows from 7.2°C to 7.7°C over the same span.
September is one of the cooler months of the year in Rotorua and about average for rainfall, so plan for around 13.9°C daytime highs and 7.3°C at night.
Not quite — September is the 4th coolest month in Rotorua, averaging 10.6°C.
For September in Rotorua, pack warm layers and a jacket for chilly mornings, with typical highs of 13.9°C and lows of 7.3°C. Bring an umbrella or light rain jacket too.
Relative humidity in September averages 84% — quite humid.
Average wind speed in September is 1.9 m/s. The windiest September on record averaged 2.5 m/s (1981).
The wettest September on record was 2022 with 221 mm. On average, September sees 94 mm.
All figures are derived from NASA POWER (Prediction Of Worldwide Energy Resources), based on MERRA-2 satellite reanalysis, covering 1981–2025.
Explore how the weather in Rotorua behaves each September, based on 45 years of NASA POWER climate data from 1981 to 2025. This page breaks down average temperatures, rainfall, humidity, wind and solar radiation for September specifically, along with year-by-year records and how the month has changed over the decades.
