Is Auckland sunnier than Napier?

Auckland is the sunnier: about 2,479 hours of sunshine a year versus 2,256 — a difference of 223 hours.

Which is warmer, Auckland or Napier?

Year-round daytime highs are similar: Auckland averages 19°C (66°F), Napier 19°C (66°F).

Which is better in winter (November–February), Auckland or Napier?

They are close in the November–February window: Auckland averages 80/100 (about 22°C days), Napier 81/100 (about 23°C).

Which has the warmer sea, Auckland or Napier?

Auckland — its sea peaks at about 22°C (72°F) versus 21°C.

Auckland vs Napier: which is sunnier?

🇳🇿 New Zealand vs 🇳🇿 New Zealand · 328 km apart · long-term climate normals (NASA POWER, 2001–2020)

Auckland is the sunnier overall: about 2,479 hours of sunshine a year to Napier's 2,256. Month by month it's balanced: each has the higher Sunshine Score in 3 months, with 6 within 2 points.

Scores are the 0–100 Sunshine Score — sunshine, daytime warmth and dryness in one number, per month.

At a glance

	Auckland	Napier
Sunshine hours / year	2,479	2,256
Sunniest month	January (83/100)	February (82/100)
Nov–Feb average score	80/100	81/100
Jun–Aug average score	39/100	36/100
Rain / year	1,015 mm	852 mm
Warmest sea	22°C / 72°F	21°C / 70°F
Peak midday UV	10 (very high)	9 (very high)

Auckland vs Napier month by month

Month	Sunshine Score		Day high °C		Rain mm		Sea °C
Month	Auckland	Napier	Auckland	Napier	Auckland	Napier	Auckland	Napier
January	83	81	23°	24°	58	62	22°	21°
February	82	82	24°	24°	64	52	22°	21°
March	80	80	22°	22°	72	65	20°	19°
April	78	71	20°	19°	83	78	19°	18°
May	54	59	17°	17°	118	72	16°	15°
June	43	38	15°	14°	106	87	15°	14°
July	36	31	14°	13°	115	96	13°	12°
August	38	39	14°	14°	100	73	13°	12°
September	52	52	16°	16°	86	73	15°	14°
October	59	66	17°	18°	80	73	16°	15°
November	77	82	19°	20°	52	54	18°	17°
December	79	80	21°	23°	81	67	20°	20°

The sunnier month by month: Jan even · Feb even · Mar even · Apr Auckland · May Napier · Jun Auckland · Jul Auckland · Aug even · Sep even · Oct Napier · Nov Napier · Dec even.

When to pick which

November–February: too close to call — Auckland averages 80/100, Napier 81/100. Daytime highs are similar (22°C vs 23°C).
March–May: too close to call — Auckland averages 71/100, Napier 70/100. Daytime highs are similar (20°C vs 19°C).
June–August: Auckland (average score 39/100 vs 36). Daytime highs are similar (14°C vs 14°C).
September–October: Napier (average score 59/100 vs 56). Daytime highs are similar (17°C vs 17°C).

Sea temperature

Auckland's sea gets warmer: 22°C / 72°F at its peak vs 21°C. Swimmable water (21°C+): Auckland about 2 months a year, Napier about 2 months a year. Month-by-month sea temperatures are in the table above.

Full month-by-month guides: Auckland weather by month · Napier weather by month · Best time to visit New Zealand.

More comparisons: Auckland vs Tauranga · Auckland vs New Plymouth · Napier vs Tauranga · Napier vs Palmerston North · Napier vs New Plymouth · all head-to-heads