Weather in New Zealand early May

[Cloudhopper]

Hi, the girlfriend and I will be travelling the length of the South and North Islands 5th to 12th May and we're wondering what clothes to pack. I believe it will be cool and wet especially Mt Cook and Milford Sound. Can anyone please advise?
CH

 

[sh1kar]

New Zealand Weather in May - NZ Pocket Guide

What is the weather like in New Zealand in May? Find out about the New Zealand weather in May in this guide.

nzpocketguide.com

 

[Dunwaters]

It will be cool and wet to cold and wet on the South Island, especially in the Milford sound area. The weather generally doesn’t affect the sandflies which will happily gorge on your carcass. The scenery is absolutely stunning but take decent rain gear and hiking boots.

 

[John Gryphon]

and wet

You will get wet even on a dry day. Last trip there i lost four toenails after returning home...Kiwi mate advised that he had lost up to five on a trip.
We had walked in and back from the west coast (top left) to the green X and its well worth doing if ye can put up with a modicum of discomfort.
The next trip was tougher again on my old bones.

Oh I will add that no matter what your boots manufacturer says about its ware`s you will have wet feet.

 

[Donkey Basher]

As Crowded House said, be prepared for "four seasons in one day"!

From experience, South Island (Mainland ) down south will be cold and windy with rain, west coast will be wet with rain, northern part will be slightly warmer with rain and east coast you might be lucky and not get rain - or then again... I kept a record when I first went over there and in 3 months there were 3 days it didn't rain at some point when I was down south. Wind down there comes off the Antarctic so can be bitter - first week I was there I binned my UK waterproof jacket & bought a local oilskin and fleece! (Nearly 30 years later I still regularly wear both too.)

Comment about sand flies is spot on - fcuking things!

Oh and one last bit of advice - don't be tempted to drink Speights or DB (assuming they still brew the stuff down there), they're both vile

 

[Dickie]

The 5th to the 12th for the length of north and south islands you’ll not have time to worry about the rain or cold. A good waterproof jacket and warm layers will sort you out.

 

[John Gryphon]

That can depend on what elevation is reached

 

[McKenzie]

You will find a big difference between the North & the South islands in temperature at most time of the year, probably 10 degrees C or more if your as far south as Milford sounds. It rains for 180 days a year in Milford sound so that should give you a clue as to how to dress. Much less humid in the South Island & suited me better.