Awarua Plains, New Zealand

Southland · New Zealand

Awarua Plains is a small town in Southland, New Zealand with a population of 1,020. Elevation: 7 ft (2 m). Average temperature: 52°F (11°C).

Population source: Wikidata (dated census and official estimates), GeoNames. Climate: WorldClim 2.1 normals (1970-2000), NASA POWER. Updated August 2026

1,020 Population 5/sq mi density
7 ft Elevation 2 meters
52°F Avg Temperature 11°C
46.4 in Annual Rain
Pacific / Auckland Timezone

Discover Awarua Plains, 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 Awarua Plains

Awarua Plains

The Awarua Plain is a large area of wetland to the east of Bluff, New Zealand. Covering an area of around 600 km², the plain stretches for 35 kilometres along the coast of Foveaux Strait. This stretch of coast includes the peninsula of Tiwai Point, Awarua Bay, the Waituna Lagoon, and Toetoes Bay. The Mataura River is the major river responsible for the presence of the Awarua Plain; along with the Ōreti River, it is a remnant of the rivers from the Ice Ages that formed the Southland Plains (Murihiku). In addition, several small streams enter Foveaux Strait along this stretch of coast, mainly via Awarua Bay and Waituna Lagoon.

People

Population1,020
Density5/mi²

Climate

Avg Temp52°F (11°C)
Rain46.4 in/yr
Elevation7 ft (2 m)
Population1,020
Population Density5 / sq mi
Elevation7 ft (2 m)
Coordinates-46.4833°, 168.3833°
TimezonePacific/Auckland
Country🇳🇿 New Zealand
State / ProvinceSouthland
Average Temperature52°F (11°C)
January Average61°F (16°C)
July Average45°F (7°C)
Annual Precipitation46.4 inches (1,179 mm)
Annual Snowfall3.0 inches (8 cm)

About Awarua Plains

Awarua Plains is a small town in New Zealand (Southland) with a population of 1,020. The city sits at an elevation of 7 feet (2 meters) above sea level. The average annual temperature is 52°F (11°C). Temperatures range from 61°F in January to 45°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 46.4 inches. The timezone is Pacific/Auckland.

Climate in Awarua Plains

Awarua Plains has an average annual temperature of 10°C (50°F). The hottest month is Jan (14.1°C), the coldest is Jul (5.4°C). Average annual precipitation is 1101 mm.

Month Avg °C / °F Min / Max °C Rain (mm)
Jan 14.1°C / 57°F 9.5° / 18.7° 109.5
Feb 14°C / 57°F 9.3° / 18.6° 79.3
Mar 12.6°C / 55°F 7.8° / 17.5° 84.9
Apr 10.4°C / 51°F 5.7° / 15° 86.2
May 8.2°C / 47°F 4° / 12.5° 103.8
Jun 6°C / 43°F 1.9° / 10° 93.7
Jul 5.4°C / 42°F 1.1° / 9.6° 87.2
Aug 6.7°C / 44°F 2.3° / 11.1° 77.6
Sep 8.5°C / 47°F 4° / 13° 89.9
Oct 9.9°C / 50°F 5.4° / 14.3° 96.6
Nov 11.3°C / 52°F 6.9° / 15.7° 101.4
Dec 13.2°C / 56°F 8.5° / 17.8° 91.0
Awarua Plains experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 61°F in January while summers reach 45°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. Annual precipitation totals 46.4 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 3.0 inches of snow annually. The city sits at an elevation of 7 feet, near sea level.

Temperature

61°F Jan (16°C) 45°F Jul (7°C)
Annual Average51.8°F
4% below New Zealand avg
January Average61°F (16°C)
July Average45°F (7°C)

Geography

Elevation7 ft (2 m)
Area225.8 sq mi (584.7 km²)
Population Density5/sq mi
Coordinates46.4833°S, 168.3833°E
TimezonePacific/Auckland

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 46.4"
22% above New Zealand avg
Snowfall 3.0"
Wettest Month (May) 4.29"
Driest Month (Aug) 2.36"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

58 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M5.1. Most recent: M4.4 on Jan 1, 2025.

Jul 12, 2008 85 km WSW of Te Anau, New Zealand M5.1 143 km
Feb 28, 2010 48 km WSW of Te Anau, New Zealand M5.1 136 km
Jul 15, 2009 54 km WSW of Te Anau, New Zealand M4.9 149 km
Jul 15, 2009 77 km SW of Te Anau, New Zealand M4.9 125 km
Jul 15, 2009 82 km WNW of Riverton, New Zealand M4.8 114 km
May 28, 2011 55 km WSW of Te Anau, New Zealand M4.7 144 km
Apr 25, 2005 81 km SW of Te Anau, New Zealand M4.7 124 km
May 11, 2012 61 km WNW of Riverton, New Zealand M4.7 92 km
Jan 13, 2015 49 km WSW of Te Anau, New Zealand M4.7 142 km
Apr 14, 2009 29 km NW of Riverton, New Zealand M4.5 60 km
Mar 3, 2007 60 km WSW of Te Anau, New Zealand M4.5 150 km
Apr 16, 2004 106 km SW of Te Anau, New Zealand M4.5 148 km
Oct 12, 2000 15 km N of Papatowai, New Zealand M4.5 87 km
Jan 1, 2025 48 km W of Te Anau, New Zealand M4.4 149 km
Apr 20, 2001 35 km SW of Te Anau, New Zealand M4.4 124 km
Sep 30, 2003 55 km WSW of Te Anau, New Zealand M4.4 143 km
Oct 23, 2013 41 km WSW of Te Anau, New Zealand M4.4 137 km
Mar 11, 1995 34 km SSE of Te Anau, New Zealand M4.4 95 km
May 13, 2009 64 km SW of Te Anau, New Zealand M4.4 115 km
Mar 17, 2020 70 km S of Papatowai, New Zealand M4.4 124 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tsunami History

2 tsunamis recorded within 500 km.

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
1987 DEEP COVE Meteorological - - 148 km
1839 WAIKAWA, SOUTHLAND Unknown - - 59 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 61°F (16°C) 3.7 in Warmest
February 58°F (14°C) 2.6 in
March 56°F (13°C) 3.7 in
April 52°F (11°C) 3.4 in
May 47°F (8°C) 4.3 in Wettest
June 43°F (6°C) 3.7 in Coldest
July 45°F (7°C) 2.8 in
August 44°F (7°C) 2.4 in Driest
September 48°F (9°C) 3.0 in
October 51°F (10°C) 3.5 in
November 53°F (12°C) 2.8 in
December 56°F (14°C) 3.9 in

Awarua Plains has a seasonal temperature swing of 18°F / from 43°F in June to 61°F in January. Total annual precipitation is 39.6 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.3") and August the driest (2.4").

View full weather details →

Museums in Awarua Plains

NameTypeAddressPhoneAnnual Revenue
Awarua Communications Museum
Bill Richardson Transport World
Bluff Maritime Museum
Classic Motorcycles Mecca

Libraries in Awarua Plains

NameAddressStaffAnnual VisitsCirculationCollectionPrograms
Invercargill Public Library0.0

Breweries in Awarua Plains

NameTypeAddressPhoneWebsite
Invercargill Brewery

Airports Near Awarua Plains

6 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
Invercargill AirportIVCMedium Airport
Center Island Airstrip-Small Airport
Centre Bush Aerodrome-Small Airport
Gore3 Airport-Small Airport
Mandeville Aerodrome-Small Airport
Ryan's Creek AerodromeSZSSmall 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

Download Full City Report

Get a comprehensive, print-ready PDF with all data for Awarua Plains.

Get Report

Frequently Asked Questions About Awarua Plains

What is the population of Awarua Plains?

Awarua Plains has a population of 1,020 residents and is located in New Zealand. The population density is 5 people per square mile, spread across 225.8 square miles.

What is the weather like in Awarua Plains?

Awarua Plains has a four-season climate with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winter temperatures average 61°F in January, while summers reach an average of 45°F in July. Annual rainfall totals 46.4 inches, with 3.0 inches of snow.

Nearby Cities

Compare Awarua Plains with another city:

Want every data point for Awarua Plains?

The full profile puts all sections on one printable page, no tabs.

Full City Profile