Akaroa, New Zealand

Full City Profile

2.7 /5.0

C+ Fair

700 Population 1,029/sq mi density

26 ft Elevation 8 meters

51°F Avg Temperature 11°C

C+

Overall

2.7 / 5.0

Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education

C+

Economy

2.9 / 5.0

$22,140 median income, 3.5% unemployment

Affordability

2.4 / 5.0

$165,400 home value, $827/mo rent

Akaroa experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 60°F in January while summers reach 42°F in July. The area gets 258 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 43.1 inches. The area receives 0.0 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

60°F Jan (16°C) 42°F Jul (6°C)

Annual Average	51.1°F
	5% below US avg
January Average	60°F (16°C)
July Average	42°F (6°C)
Sunny Days	258 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	26 ft (8 m)
Area	0.7 sq mi (1.8 km²)
Population Density	1,029/sq mi
Coordinates	-43.8038°N, 172.9682°W
Timezone	Pacific/Auckland

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 43.1"

13% above US avg

Snowfall 0.0"

Wettest Month (Aug) 5.31"

Driest Month (Jan) 2.32"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

597 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M7.0. Most recent: M3.0 on Aug 30, 2025.

Sep 3, 2010	19 km NE of Methven, New Zealand	M7.0	97 km
Jun 18, 1994	56 km NW of Oxford, New Zealand	M6.8	141 km
Nov 24, 1995	47 km NW of Oxford, New Zealand	M6.2	132 km
Feb 21, 2011	6 km SE of Christchurch, New Zealand	M6.1	34 km
Jun 19, 1994	40 km N of Methven, New Zealand	M6.0	124 km
Jun 13, 2011	9 km ESE of Christchurch, New Zealand	M5.9	32 km
Feb 14, 2016	12 km ENE of Christchurch, New Zealand	M5.8	39 km
Feb 22, 2011	7 km S of Christchurch, New Zealand	M5.6	36 km
Feb 22, 2011	6 km SSE of Christchurch, New Zealand	M5.5	35 km
May 29, 1995	South Island of New Zealand	M5.5	145 km
Mar 30, 1992	57 km NNW of Methven, New Zealand	M5.5	147 km
Sep 19, 2023	Canterbury, New Zealand	M5.5	149 km
Jun 21, 1994	47 km N of Methven, New Zealand	M5.4	129 km
Jun 13, 2011	10 km ESE of Christchurch, New Zealand	M5.2	31 km
Jan 1, 2012	21 km ENE of Christchurch, New Zealand	M5.2	37 km
Aug 29, 1996	74 km N of Amberley, New Zealand	M5.2	147 km
Jun 21, 2011	1 km SSE of Prebbleton, New Zealand	M5.2	42 km
Jan 19, 2011	2 km S of Prebbleton, New Zealand	M5.1	42 km
Jan 14, 2012	10 km E of Christchurch, New Zealand	M5.1	34 km
Sep 3, 2010	16 km NNW of Rakaia, New Zealand	M5.1	87 km

Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Tsunami History

6 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 6.5 m (21 ft).

Year	Location	Cause	Max Wave	Deaths	Distance
2016	OFF EAST COAST OF SOUTH ISLAND	Earthquake	6.5 m	2	119 km
1895	PIEGON BAY	Meteorological	5.0 m	—	14 km
1881	PIGEON BAY (BANKS PENINSULA)	Earthquake	3.0 m	—	14 km
1856	S CANTERBURY PROVINCE, SOUTH ISLAND	Unknown	1.0 m	—	81 km
1922	SE. NEW ZEALAND	Earthquake	0.4 m	—	89 km
1978	OFF EAST COAST OF SOUTH ISLAND	Meteorological	—	—	81 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	60°F (16°C)	2.3 in	Warmest, Driest
February	60°F (15°C)	2.5 in
March	57°F (14°C)	3.1 in
April	53°F (11°C)	4.3 in
May	47°F (8°C)	5.0 in
June	43°F (6°C)	5.0 in
July	42°F (6°C)	4.9 in	Coldest
August	43°F (6°C)	5.3 in	Wettest
September	47°F (8°C)	2.4 in
October	51°F (10°C)	3.1 in
November	54°F (12°C)	2.5 in
December	57°F (14°C)	2.6 in

Akaroa has a seasonal temperature swing of 18°F / from 42°F in July to 60°F in January. Total annual precipitation is 43.1 inches, with August being the wettest month (5.3") and January the driest (2.3").

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