Arthur’s Pass, New Zealand

Full City Profile

4.1 /5.0

A Great

930 Population 4,044/sq mi density

2,444 ft Elevation 745 meters

42°F Avg Temperature 6°C

Overall

4.1 / 5.0

Strong

Economy

3.2 / 5.0

$48,800 median income, 5.1% unemployment

A+

Affordability

5.0 / 5.0

$104,000 home value, $520/mo rent

Arthur’s Pass has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F (6°C). Winters average 53°F in January while summers reach 32°F in July. The area gets 112 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 123.5 inches. The area receives 28.2 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

53°F Jan (11°C) 32°F Jul (-0°C)

Annual Average	42.4°F
	21% below US avg
January Average	53°F (11°C)
July Average	32°F (-0°C)
Sunny Days	112 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,444 ft (745 m)
Area	0.2 sq mi (0.6 km²)
Population Density	4,044/sq mi
Coordinates	-42.9500°N, 171.5667°W
Timezone	Pacific/Auckland

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 123.5"

225% above US avg

Snowfall 28.2"

Wettest Month (May) 12.56"

Driest Month (Feb) 7.56"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

728 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	67 km
Jun 18, 1994	56 km NW of Oxford, New Zealand	M6.8	8 km
Nov 24, 1995	47 km NW of Oxford, New Zealand	M6.2	19 km
Feb 21, 2011	6 km SE of Christchurch, New Zealand	M6.1	114 km
Feb 10, 1990	90 km N of Amberley, New Zealand	M6.0	121 km
Jun 19, 1994	40 km N of Methven, New Zealand	M6.0	36 km
Jan 28, 1991	29 km SSE of Westport, New Zealand	M5.9	105 km
Jun 13, 2011	9 km ESE of Christchurch, New Zealand	M5.9	117 km
Feb 14, 2016	12 km ENE of Christchurch, New Zealand	M5.8	114 km
Feb 10, 1990	90 km N of Amberley, New Zealand	M5.7	108 km
Jan 28, 1991	27 km SSE of Westport, New Zealand	M5.7	108 km
Feb 22, 2011	7 km S of Christchurch, New Zealand	M5.6	112 km
Jan 5, 2015	43 km SSE of Hokitika, New Zealand	M5.6	29 km
May 29, 1995	South Island of New Zealand	M5.5	12 km
Sep 19, 2023	Canterbury, New Zealand	M5.5	91 km
Feb 22, 2011	6 km SSE of Christchurch, New Zealand	M5.5	113 km
Mar 30, 1992	57 km NNW of Methven, New Zealand	M5.5	27 km
Feb 15, 1991	38 km S of Westport, New Zealand	M5.4	95 km
Jun 21, 1994	47 km N of Methven, New Zealand	M5.4	29 km
Jun 13, 2011	10 km ESE of Christchurch, New Zealand	M5.2	119 km

Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Tsunami History

8 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	124 km
1895	PIEGON BAY	Meteorological	5.0 m	—	136 km
1881	PIGEON BAY (BANKS PENINSULA)	Earthquake	3.0 m	—	136 km
1913	TASMAN SEA	Earthquake	1.5 m	—	128 km
1856	S CANTERBURY PROVINCE, SOUTH ISLAND	Unknown	1.0 m	—	122 km
1869	NEW ZEALAND	Unknown	0.6 m	—	56 km
1922	SE. NEW ZEALAND	Earthquake	0.4 m	—	117 km
1978	OFF EAST COAST OF SOUTH ISLAND	Meteorological	—	—	115 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	53°F (11°C)	9.1 in
February	53°F (12°C)	7.6 in	Warmest, Driest
March	50°F (10°C)	9.5 in
April	44°F (7°C)	9.8 in
May	38°F (3°C)	12.6 in	Wettest
June	33°F (0°C)	9.6 in
July	32°F (-0°C)	9.4 in	Coldest
August	34°F (1°C)	9.2 in
September	37°F (3°C)	12.4 in
October	42°F (5°C)	11.1 in
November	45°F (7°C)	11.4 in
December	49°F (10°C)	11.8 in

Arthur’s Pass has a seasonal temperature swing of 21°F / from 32°F in July to 53°F in February. Total annual precipitation is 123.5 inches, with May being the wettest month (12.6") and February the driest (7.6").

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