The weather second week July 2025 school holidays kicks off with light winds, chilly mornings, and plenty of opportunities to get out on the water—especially in the North Island. From Monday through Wednesday, most regions experience settled conditions. The back half of the week, however, tells a different story. A front moves across New Zealand from Wednesday onwards, bringing stronger winds, cloud, and consistent rain, especially by Friday.
Best boating days: Monday to Wednesday
Northland and the Hauraki Gulf enjoy the best of the week early. Winds remain light, between 10 to 15 knots from the southeast or east. Seas are slight, and swells manageable around 1 metre. Cloudy periods dominate, with only the chance of a light shower.
In Waitematā and Manukau Harbours, the water remains smooth on Monday and Tuesday with variable winds under 10 knots. These are ideal conditions for family boating, kayaking or paddleboarding close to shore.
Further down the coast, Coromandel and Bay of Plenty areas follow a similar pattern. Boaters can expect 10–15 knot easterlies and settled sea states through Tuesday. Lake Rotorua and Lake Taupō also offer calm conditions—perfect for trout fishing or relaxed cruising.
Wednesday turns: showers and winds increase
From Wednesday, conditions begin to change. Winds shift northeast and build to 15–20 knots in many regions, with occasional rain setting in from the west. Easterly swells in places like Bay of Islands and Bream Head climb to 2 metres. These shifts make offshore or coastal boating less comfortable and more cautious planning essential.
While Hawke’s Bay and Kapiti hold onto reasonable conditions through Wednesday, a general trend of increasing wind and rain is expected across both islands.
Friday outlook: gusty and wet—be cautious
By Friday, boating is best reconsidered in most places. Northerly winds climb sharply to 25–30 knots, especially around Bay of Plenty, Hauraki Gulf, and Wellington’s South Coast. Swells also rise steeply—up to 3 metres in exposed locations. Rain becomes widespread across both islands, with some areas experiencing heavy falls.
If you’re still planning to get on the water late in the week, make sure to check MetService marine forecasts frequently, as conditions will change quickly and could worsen.
Regional boating highlights
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Bay of Islands & Coromandel: Calm early week with low swells. Best days: Monday to Tuesday.
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Hauraki Gulf & Waitematā Harbour: Excellent boating weather through Wednesday morning. Wind and rain from Wednesday afternoon.
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Manukau Harbour: Fine and calm through Tuesday. Becoming wet and breezy midweek.
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Rotorua & Taupō Lakes: Flat water and minimal wind early. Light rain arrives Wednesday and worsens by Friday.
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Kapiti & Mana: Light wind and cloud early in the week. Rain increases from Wednesday.
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Wellington: Calm Monday and Tuesday. Swell rises and rain sets in from Wednesday.
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Christchurch: Variable wind and fine Monday–Tuesday. Rain and 30-knot winds forecast by Friday.
Boating tips for the school holidays
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Plan morning outings early in the week. Mornings are calmer and less likely to bring surprise showers.
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Avoid Friday if boating with kids or less experienced passengers. Conditions will be choppy and less predictable.
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Monitor marine forecasts daily. Use the MetService app or website for real-time updates.
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Pack warm layers. Even on settled days, morning frosts and chilly southerlies linger in sheltered areas.
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Stick close to shore in changing conditions, especially from midweek onward.
With the weather second week July 2025 school holidays offering a mostly settled start, there’s still time for one last boating adventure. Whether it’s a family outing in the Hauraki Gulf or a quiet cruise on Lake Rotorua, early week conditions support safe and enjoyable boating. But from midweek, keep a close eye on the forecasts and have backup land-based plans—rain and wind will dominate the weekend.
