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Atawhai, New Zealand

Nelson Region · New Zealand

Atawhai is a small town in Nelson Region, New Zealand with a population of 2,920. Elevation: 3 ft (1 m). Average temperature: 54°F (12°C).

2.2 /5.0
C Fair
2,920 Population 17/sq mi density
3 ft Elevation 1 meters
54°F Avg Temperature 12°C
52.4 in Annual Rain
Pacific / Auckland Timezone
$25,140 Median Income
C
Overall
2.2 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.1 / 5.0
$25,140 median income, 2.5% unemployment
F
Affordability
1.3 / 5.0
$237,200 home value, $1,186/mo rent

Discover Atawhai, New Zealand

Explore over 40 sections covering people, economy, housing, health, crime, climate, community, costs, trends, schools, colleges, hospitals, treatment centers, industries, museums, libraries, breweries, farmers markets, grocery stores, pharmacies, campgrounds, parks, trails, stadiums, ski resorts, daycare centers, nursing homes, churches, fire stations, cell towers, bridges, power plants, EV stations, prisons, radio stations, airports, police stations, post offices, Amtrak stations, superfund sites, UNESCO sites, and more.
Use the tabs and dropdown menus below to navigate every data point we track for this city.

Full City Profile

About Atawhai

Atawhai

Atawhai is a suburb of Nelson, on the South Island of New Zealand. It lies north of Nelson and is the location of Wakapuaka Cemetery, a burial place since 1861. It also has a coastline on Nelson Haven and access to Boulder Bank via State Highway 6.

People

Population2,920
Median Age51.1 yrs
Density17/mi²

Economy

B
Median Income$25,140
Per Capita$25,140
Unemployment2.5%

Housing

F
Home Value$237,200
Rent$1,186
Ownership81.0%
Housing Units1,168

Climate

Avg Temp54°F (12°C)
Rain52.4 in/yr
Sunny Days241/yr
Elevation3 ft (1 m)
Population2,920
Population Density17 / sq mi
Elevation3 ft (1 m)
Coordinates-41.2333°, 173.3167°
TimezonePacific/Auckland
Country🇳🇿 New Zealand
State / ProvinceNelson Region
Average Temperature54°F (12°C)
January Average62°F (17°C)
July Average44°F (7°C)
Annual Precipitation52.4 inches (1,332 mm)
Annual Snowfall0.0 inches (0 cm)
Median Household Income$25,140
Median Age51.1 years

About Atawhai

Atawhai is a small town in New Zealand (Nelson Region) with a population of 2,920. The city sits at an elevation of 3 feet (1 meters) above sea level. The average annual temperature is 54°F (12°C). Temperatures range from 62°F in January to 44°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 52.4 inches. The timezone is Pacific/Auckland.

Atawhai has a population of 2,920 with a density of 17 people per square mile, spread across 171.8 square miles. The median age is 51.1 years, 31% older than the national median of 38.9.

Population

2,920
Total Population
17
People / sq mi
51.1yrs
Median Age
31% above New Zealand avg
171.8mi²
Land Area

Language Spoken at Home

Other Languages 100.0%

Social Characteristics

Atawhai vs New Zealand Average

The median household income in Atawhai is $25,140, which is 67% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $25,140 (below the $39,052 national figure). The average weekly wage is $483, 66% lower than the U.S. average. The unemployment rate is 2.5% (below the 3.6% US average). The area has 269 business establishments.

Income: Atawhai vs New Zealand

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$25,140
67% below New Zealand avg
Per Capita Income$25,140
Avg Weekly Wage$483

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.5%
31% below New Zealand avg
Establishments (County)269

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Walkability

The median home value in Atawhai is $237,200, 16% below the national median of $281,900. Monthly rent averages $1,186 (2% above the national average of $1,163). 81.0% of housing units are owner-occupied (above the 65.4% national rate). There are 1,168 total housing units in the city. The home price-to-income ratio is 9.4x, making homeownership a significant financial stretch for most families.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$237,200
16% below New Zealand avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,186
2% above New Zealand avg

Ownership & Property

Homeownership81.0%
Owner-Occupied81.0%
Renter-Occupied19.0%
Housing Units1,168

Property Tax

Atawhai experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 62°F in January while summers reach 44°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 241 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 52.4 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 3 feet, near sea level.

Temperature

62°F Jan (17°C) 44°F Jul (7°C)
Annual Average53.5°F
1% below New Zealand avg
January Average62°F (17°C)
July Average44°F (7°C)
Sunny Days241 days/yr

Geography

Elevation3 ft (1 m)
Area171.8 sq mi (445.0 km²)
Population Density17/sq mi
Coordinates-41.2333°N, 173.3167°W
TimezonePacific/Auckland

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 52.4"
38% above New Zealand avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Aug) 5.67"
Driest Month (Feb) 2.68"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

1,071 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M6.5. Most recent: M4.3 on Aug 30, 2025.

Jul 21, 2013 38 km ESE of Blenheim, New Zealand M6.5 100 km
Aug 16, 2013 29 km SE of Blenheim, New Zealand M6.5 89 km
Jul 3, 2012 63 km S of Opunake, New Zealand M6.3 140 km
Apr 24, 2015 73 km S of Wakefield, New Zealand M6.1 96 km
May 27, 1992 21 km WSW of Blenheim, New Zealand M6.0 55 km
Feb 10, 1990 90 km N of Amberley, New Zealand M6.0 131 km
Aug 16, 2013 30 km ESE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.9 93 km
Jul 20, 2013 38 km ESE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.9 100 km
Aug 16, 2013 26 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.9 83 km
Mar 22, 1995 27 km N of Picton, New Zealand M5.8 63 km
Feb 10, 1990 90 km N of Amberley, New Zealand M5.7 138 km
Feb 15, 2023 55 km NW of Raumati Beach, New Zealand M5.7 127 km
Oct 4, 1990 25 km SE of Brooklyn, New Zealand M5.6 140 km
Jul 18, 2013 38 km E of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.5 98 km
Aug 16, 2013 30 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.5 89 km
Aug 16, 2013 25 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.4 85 km
Jul 15, 2009 83 km SSW of Opunake, New Zealand M5.4 120 km
Jan 5, 2017 36 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.4 91 km
Mar 13, 2005 83 km SSW of Opunake, New Zealand M5.4 119 km
Jul 21, 2013 34 km E of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.3 94 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Tsunami History

5 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 11.0 m (36 ft).

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
1855 NORTHERN ISLAND Earthquake 11.0 m 141 km
1868 NEW ZEALAND Earthquake 3.0 m 118 km
2013 WELLINGTON Earthquake 0.1 m 89 km
2013 COOK STRAIT Earthquake 0.1 m 100 km
1855 WHARANUI Earthquake 101 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 62°F (17°C) 3.9 in Warmest
February 62°F (17°C) 2.7 in Driest
March 60°F (16°C) 4.0 in
April 55°F (13°C) 4.8 in
May 50°F (10°C) 4.4 in
June 46°F (8°C) 4.3 in
July 44°F (7°C) 5.0 in Coldest
August 46°F (8°C) 5.7 in Wettest
September 49°F (10°C) 4.3 in
October 53°F (12°C) 5.1 in
November 56°F (13°C) 4.3 in
December 60°F (15°C) 4.0 in

Atawhai has a seasonal temperature swing of 18°F / from 44°F in July to 62°F in January. Total annual precipitation is 52.5 inches, with August being the wettest month (5.7") and February the driest (2.7").

View full weather details →

Radio Stations near Atawhai

2 stations within ~55 km.

Station Genre Quality
Brian FM 105.6 Nelson NZ AAC 128 kbps
BeachFM 106.3 00s, 60s MP3 192 kbps

Museums in Atawhai

NameTypeAddressPhoneAnnual Revenue
Founders Heritage Park
Maritime museum
Nelson Classic Car Museum
Nelson Provincial Museum
Port Museum

Libraries in Atawhai

NameAddressStaffAnnual VisitsCirculationCollectionPrograms
Elma Turner Library0.0
Mapua Community Library0.0
Mapua Library0.0
Nightingale Library Tāhunanui0.0
Richmond Library0.0
Stoke Library0.0

Farmers Markets in Atawhai

NameAddressSeasonHoursOrganicWebsite
Nelson Farmers Market
The Nelson Market

Restaurants in Atawhai

1 restaurants within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Valley Pizza

Breweries in Atawhai

NameTypeAddressPhoneWebsite
Two Thumbs Brewery

Stadiums & Teams in Atawhai

TeamLeagueDivision

Ski Resorts Near Atawhai

1 ski resorts within range.

Resort Slopes (km) Lifts Peak (m) Price Season Night Park
Rainbow Ski Area 0.0 $0

Airports Near Atawhai

7 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
Nelson AirportNSNMedium Airport
Woodbourne AirportBHEMedium Airport
Lake Station AirportSmall Airport
Motueka AirportMZPSmall Airport
Omaka Blenheim AirportSmall Airport
Picton AerodromePCNSmall Airport
Takaka AirportKTFSmall Airport

Quick Facts

Timezone
Pacific/Auckland

🇳🇿 About New Zealand

Capital Wellington
Population 4,885,500
Area 268,680 km²
GDP (USD) $255,194,972,673
GDP per capita $49,076
HDI 0.939
Life expectancy 83.0 years
Internet users 96.2%
Urban population 83.9%
Currency NZD (Dollar)
Languages English, Māori, New Zealand Sign Language
Calling code +64
TLD .nz
Driving side left

Public Holidays in New Zealand

23 public holidays this year

Date Holiday Local Name
Jan 1 New Year's Day New Year's Day
Jan 2 Day after New Year's Day Day after New Year's Day
Jan 19 Wellington Anniversary Day Wellington Anniversary Day
Jan 26 Auckland Anniversary Day Auckland/Northland Anniversary Day
Feb 2 Nelson Anniversary Day Nelson Anniversary Day
Feb 6 Waitangi Day Waitangi Day
Mar 9 Taranaki Anniversary Day Taranaki Anniversary Day
Mar 23 Otago Anniversary Day Otago Anniversary Day
Apr 3 Good Friday Good Friday
Apr 6 Easter Monday Easter Monday
Apr 7 Southland Anniversary Day Southland Anniversary Day
Apr 27 Anzac Day Anzac Day
Jun 1 King's Birthday King's Birthday
Jul 10 Matariki Matariki
Sep 28 Canterbury (South) Anniversary Day Dominion Day
Oct 23 Hawke's Bay Anniversary Day Hawke's Bay Anniversary Day
Oct 26 Labour Day Labour Day
Nov 2 Marlborough Anniversary Day Marlborough Anniversary Day
Nov 13 Canterbury Anniversary Day Canterbury (North & Central) Anniversary Day
Nov 30 Chatham Islands Anniversary Day Chatham Islands Anniversary Day
Nov 30 Westland Anniversary Day Westland Anniversary Day
Dec 25 Christmas Day Christmas Day
Dec 28 Boxing Day Boxing Day

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Frequently Asked Questions About Atawhai

What is the population of Atawhai?

Atawhai has a population of 2,920 residents and is located in New Zealand. The population density is 17 people per square mile, spread across 171.8 square miles. The median age of residents is 51.1 years, which is older than the national median of 38.9 years.

Is Atawhai expensive to live in?

The median household income is $25,140, 67% below the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $237,200 (16% below the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $1,186 per month. The home price-to-income ratio is 9.4x, which means housing is a stretch relative to local earnings.

What is the weather like in Atawhai?

Atawhai has a four-season climate with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winter temperatures average 62°F in January, while summers reach an average of 44°F in July. The area receives 241 sunny days per year. Annual rainfall totals 52.4 inches.

How is the job market in Atawhai?

The job market in Atawhai is very strong, with unemployment at just 2.5% / well below the national rate of 3.6%. The average weekly wage is $483. There are 269 business establishments in the area.

How much does housing cost in Atawhai?

The median home value in Atawhai is $237,200. For renters, the median monthly rent is $1,186. The homeownership rate is 81.0%.

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