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Brightwater, New Zealand
Tasman District · New Zealand
Brightwater is a small town in Tasman District, New Zealand with a population of 2,390. Elevation: 115 ft (35 m). Average temperature: 52°F (11°C).
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About Brightwater
Brightwater is a town 20 kilometres (12 mi) southwest of Nelson in Tasman District in the South Island of New Zealand. It stands on the banks of the Wairoa River. Brightwater was first named Spring Grove. Alfred Saunders, the owner of a local flax mill situated on the banks of the Wairoa River and a prominent temperance activist, renamed it Brightwater because of the clarity of the water in Wairoa River. The settlement was officially named in the 1880s, but the area was settled as early as 1843.
People
Economy
BHousing
DClimate
| Population | 2,390 |
| Population Density | 356 / sq mi |
| Elevation | 115 ft (35 m) |
| Coordinates | -41.3833°, 173.1167° |
| Timezone | Pacific/Auckland |
| Country | 🇳🇿 New Zealand |
| State / Province | Tasman District |
| Average Temperature | 52°F (11°C) |
| January Average | 60°F (15°C) |
| July Average | 44°F (7°C) |
| Annual Precipitation | 59.6 inches (1,514 mm) |
| Annual Snowfall | 3.5 inches (9 cm) |
| Median Household Income | $28,080 |
| Median Age | 38.0 years |
About Brightwater
Brightwater is a small town in New Zealand (Tasman District) with a population of 2,390. The city sits at an elevation of 115 feet (35 meters) above sea level. The average annual temperature is 52°F (11°C). Temperatures range from 60°F in January to 44°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 59.6 inches. The timezone is Pacific/Auckland.
Population
Language Spoken at Home
Social Characteristics
Brightwater vs New Zealand Average
Income: Brightwater vs New Zealand
Commute Mode
Income
| Median HH Income | $28,080 |
| 63% below New Zealand avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $28,080 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $540 |
Employment & Poverty
| Unemployment | 1.6% |
| 56% below New Zealand avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 220 |
Business (County)
Tax & Cost of Living
Commute & Transportation
Walkability
Home Value Sources
Ownership Split
Home Values
| Census Median | $253,800 |
| 10% below New Zealand avg |
Real Estate Market (Redfin)
Rental Costs
| Census Median Rent | $1,269 |
| 9% above New Zealand avg |
Ownership & Property
| Homeownership | 82.2% |
| Owner-Occupied | 82.2% |
| Renter-Occupied | 17.8% |
| Housing Units | 956 |
Property Tax
Temperature
| Annual Average | 51.5°F |
| 5% below New Zealand avg | |
| January Average | 60°F (15°C) |
| July Average | 44°F (7°C) |
| Sunny Days | 286 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 115 ft (35 m) |
| Area | 6.7 sq mi (17.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 356/sq mi |
| Coordinates | -41.3833°N, 173.1167°W |
| Timezone | Pacific/Auckland |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Tsunami History
5 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 3.0 m (10 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1868 | NEW ZEALAND | Earthquake | 3.0 m | — | 132 km |
| 1913 | TASMAN SEA | Earthquake | 1.5 m | — | 142 km |
| 2013 | WELLINGTON | Earthquake | 0.1 m | — | 95 km |
| 2013 | COOK STRAIT | Earthquake | 0.1 m | — | 108 km |
| 1855 | WHARANUI | Earthquake | — | — | 101 km |
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 60°F (15°C) | 4.0 in | |
| February | 62°F (17°C) | 2.7 in | Warmest, Driest |
| March | 60°F (15°C) | 3.7 in | |
| April | 55°F (13°C) | 4.1 in | |
| May | 49°F (10°C) | 4.2 in | |
| June | 45°F (7°C) | 4.1 in | |
| July | 44°F (7°C) | 4.2 in | Coldest |
| August | 46°F (8°C) | 5.2 in | Wettest |
| September | 49°F (9°C) | 4.1 in | |
| October | 53°F (11°C) | 4.9 in | |
| November | 56°F (13°C) | 4.3 in | |
| December | 60°F (15°C) | 4.2 in |
Brightwater has a seasonal temperature swing of 18°F / from 44°F in July to 62°F in February. Total annual precipitation is 49.6 inches, with August being the wettest month (5.2") and February the driest (2.7").
Schools in Brightwater
1 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).
| School | Level | Enrollment | Teachers | Student/Teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brightwater School | — | — | — | — |
Radio Stations near Brightwater
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 Brightwater
| Name | Type | Address | Phone | Annual Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Founders Heritage Park | ||||
| Maritime museum | ||||
| Nelson Classic Car Museum | ||||
| Nelson Provincial Museum | ||||
| Port Museum |
Libraries in Brightwater
| Name | Address | Staff | Annual Visits | Circulation | Collection | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elma Turner Library | 0.0 | |||||
| Mapua Community Library | 0.0 | |||||
| Mapua Library | 0.0 | |||||
| Nightingale Library Tāhunanui | 0.0 | |||||
| Richmond Library | 0.0 | |||||
| Stoke Library | 0.0 | |||||
| Wakefield Library | 0.0 |
Farmers Markets in Brightwater
| Name | Address | Season | Hours | Organic | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nelson Farmers Market | |||||
| The Nelson Market |
Hotels in Brightwater
1 hotels within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Restaurants in Brightwater
1 restaurants within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Cafes in Brightwater
1 cafes within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Gas Stations in Brightwater
1 gas stations within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Breweries in Brightwater
| Name | Type | Address | Phone | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Two Thumbs Brewery |
Stadiums & Teams in Brightwater
| Team | League | Division |
|---|---|---|
Ski Resorts Near Brightwater
1 ski resorts within range.
| Resort | Slopes (km) | Lifts | Peak (m) | Price | Season | Night | Park |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rainbow Ski Area | 0.0 | — | — | $0 | — | — | — |
Airports Near Brightwater
5 airports within the area.
| Airport | IATA | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Nelson Airport | NSN | Medium Airport |
| Lake Station Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Molesworth Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Motueka Airport | MZP | Small Airport |
| Takaka Airport | KTF | Small Airport |
Churches & Religious Organizations in Brightwater
1 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Saint Paul's Anglican Church |
Quick Facts
🇳🇿 About New Zealand
Public Holidays in New Zealand
23 public holidays this year
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Get a comprehensive, print-ready PDF with all data for Brightwater.
Get ReportFrequently Asked Questions About Brightwater
What is the population of Brightwater?
Brightwater has a population of 2,390 residents and is located in New Zealand. The population density is 356 people per square mile, spread across 6.7 square miles. The median age of residents is 38.0 years.
Is Brightwater expensive to live in?
The median household income is $28,080, 63% below the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $253,800 (10% below the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $1,269 per month. The home price-to-income ratio is 9x, which means housing is a stretch relative to local earnings.
What is the weather like in Brightwater?
Brightwater has a four-season climate with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winter temperatures average 60°F in January, while summers reach an average of 44°F in July. The area receives 286 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 59.6 inches, with 3.5 inches of snow.
How is the job market in Brightwater?
The job market in Brightwater is very strong, with unemployment at just 1.6% / well below the national rate of 3.6%. The average weekly wage is $540. There are 220 business establishments in the area.
How much does housing cost in Brightwater?
The median home value in Brightwater is $253,800. For renters, the median monthly rent is $1,269. The homeownership rate is 82.2%.