What's in season in New Zealand in May
Provisioning in the Bay of Islands (Opua), Auckland, Whangārei in May? Buy these local — they're at their best, usually cheaper, and keep longer aboard than produce that has travelled.
In season (24)
From 5+ A Day's New Zealand season guide.
- Apple
- Avocado
- Basil
- Broccoli
- Butternut / winter squash
- Carrot
- Celery
- Coriander / cilantro
- Fresh ginger
- Garlic
- Green/white cabbage
- Leek
- Mint
- Mushrooms
- Onion
- Parsley
- Potato
- Romaine lettuce
- Rosemary
- Spinach
- Spring onion / scallion
- Sweet potato
- Tomato
- Zucchini / courgette
Probably imported this month (2)
Out of season locally — at the market these have most likely been shipped or flown in. Fine to buy; they may cost more and keep less well.
- Asparagus
- Raspberries
Galley recipes for May in New Zealand
The recipes that use the most in-season produce, and nothing imported.
- Greek braised summer vegetables (briam-style)Greek · 55 min · sea 2/5 · vegan
- Beef & mushroom stew with mashFrench · 135 min · sea 4/5
- Bún chay — Vietnamese noodle saladVietnamese · 30 min · sea 4/5 · vegan
- Butternut squash & chickpea curryIndian · 55 min · sea 4/5 · vegan
- Ratatouille with riceFrench · 55 min · sea 2/5 · vegan
- Vegetable cashew noodlesThai · 30 min · sea 2/5 · vegan
- Vietnamese mushroom & green bean rice potVietnamese · 45 min · sea 4/5 · vegan
- Yasai itame — stir-fried vegetables with riceJapanese · 35 min · sea 3/5 · vegan
Source: Eating in Season with 5+ A Day (5+ A Day Charitable Trust (New Zealand)). Retrieved 2026-10-07. By season (spring Sep–Nov, summer Dec–Feb, autumn Mar–May, winter Jun–Aug), listed from the season produce first becomes available — so it only says what's in season, never that something is imported. Imported all year: bananas, pineapples (left out).