Is Auckland sunnier than Tauranga?

They are nearly tied: Auckland gets about 2,479 hours of sunshine a year and Tauranga about 2,513.

Which is warmer, Auckland or Tauranga?

Year-round daytime highs are similar: Auckland averages 19°C (66°F), Tauranga 18°C (64°F).

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

They are close in the November–February window: Auckland averages 80/100 (about 22°C days), Tauranga 78/100 (about 21°C).

Which has the warmer sea, Auckland or Tauranga?

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

Auckland vs Tauranga: which is sunnier?

🇳🇿 New Zealand vs 🇳🇿 New Zealand · 145 km apart · long-term climate normals (NASA POWER, 2001–2020)

Auckland and Tauranga are virtually tied for annual sunshine — about 2,479 vs 2,513 hours a year. Auckland has the higher Sunshine Score in 4 of 12 months; the other 8 are within 2 points.

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

At a glance

	Auckland	Tauranga
Sunshine hours / year	2,479	2,513
Sunniest month	January (83/100)	January (81/100)
Nov–Feb average score	80/100	78/100
Jun–Aug average score	39/100	38/100
Rain / year	1,015 mm	1,149 mm
Warmest sea	22°C / 72°F	21°C / 70°F
Peak midday UV	10 (very high)	10 (very high)

Auckland vs Tauranga month by month

Month	Sunshine Score		Day high °C		Rain mm		Sea °C
Month	Auckland	Tauranga	Auckland	Tauranga	Auckland	Tauranga	Auckland	Tauranga
January	83	81	23°	22°	58	70	22°	21°
February	82	79	24°	23°	64	79	22°	21°
March	80	78	22°	21°	72	84	20°	20°
April	78	68	20°	19°	83	107	19°	19°
May	54	55	17°	17°	118	110	16°	17°
June	43	41	15°	15°	106	123	15°	16°
July	36	35	14°	14°	115	124	13°	15°
August	38	37	14°	14°	100	112	13°	14°
September	52	45	16°	15°	86	94	15°	15°
October	59	59	17°	17°	80	84	16°	16°
November	77	76	19°	19°	52	60	18°	17°
December	79	75	21°	21°	81	102	20°	19°

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

When to pick which

November–February: too close to call — Auckland averages 80/100, Tauranga 78/100. Daytime highs are similar (22°C vs 21°C).
March–May: Auckland (average score 71/100 vs 67). Daytime highs are similar (20°C vs 19°C).
June–August: too close to call — Auckland averages 39/100, Tauranga 38/100. Daytime highs are similar (14°C vs 14°C).
September–October: Auckland (average score 56/100 vs 52). Daytime highs are similar (17°C vs 16°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, Tauranga about 2 months a year. Month-by-month sea temperatures are in the table above.

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

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