Sign In Register

Carterton, New Zealand

Full City Profile

1.9 /5.0
D Poor
10,300 Population 10/sq mi density
276 ft Elevation 84 meters
56°F Avg Temperature 14°C
D
Overall
1.9 / 5.0
Below average overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.8 / 5.0
$19,680 median income, 3.5% unemployment
F
Affordability
1.0 / 5.0
$208,000 home value, $1,040/mo rent
Carterton enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 64°F in January while summers reach 48°F in July. The area gets 235 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 60.9 inches. The area receives 1.3 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

64°F Jan (18°C) 48°F Jul (9°C)
Annual Average56.3°F
4% above US avg
January Average64°F (18°C)
July Average48°F (9°C)
Sunny Days235 days/yr

Geography

Elevation276 ft (84 m)
Area1,046.4 sq mi (2,710.1 km²)
Population Density10/sq mi
Coordinates-41.0183°N, 175.5302°W
TimezonePacific/Auckland

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 60.9"
60% above US avg
Snowfall 1.3"
Wettest Month (Jul) 4.61"
Driest Month (Feb) 2.05"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

1,234 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M6.5. Most recent: M4.3 on Aug 30, 2025.

Aug 16, 2013 29 km SE of Blenheim, New Zealand M6.5 140 km
Jul 21, 2013 38 km ESE of Blenheim, New Zealand M6.5 125 km
May 13, 1990 39 km E of Palmerston North, New Zealand M6.4 92 km
Feb 19, 1990 41 km E of Palmerston North, New Zealand M6.3 89 km
Jan 20, 2014 35 km NNE of Masterton, New Zealand M6.1 47 km
Aug 16, 2013 30 km ESE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.9 128 km
Jul 20, 2013 38 km ESE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.9 118 km
Aug 16, 2013 26 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.9 147 km
Mar 22, 1995 27 km N of Picton, New Zealand M5.8 127 km
Feb 15, 2023 55 km NW of Raumati Beach, New Zealand M5.7 99 km
Oct 4, 1990 25 km SE of Brooklyn, New Zealand M5.6 70 km
Sep 8, 1991 29 km WSW of Bulls, New Zealand M5.6 94 km
May 24, 2020 29 km WNW of Foxton, New Zealand M5.6 86 km
Jul 18, 2013 38 km E of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.5 111 km
Aug 16, 2013 30 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.5 144 km
Oct 6, 1990 24 km SW of Waipawa, New Zealand M5.5 65 km
Mar 2, 1992 63 km N of Castlepoint, New Zealand M5.5 103 km
Aug 16, 2013 25 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.4 141 km
Apr 25, 2023 37 km E of Dannevirke, New Zealand M5.4 119 km
Sep 24, 2001 67 km NNE of Castlepoint, New Zealand M5.4 112 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Tsunami History

4 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 15.0 m (49 ft).

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
1931 N. NEW ZEALAND Eruption + Earthquake 15.0 m 261 145 km
1855 NORTHERN ISLAND Earthquake 11.0 m — 51 km
2013 WELLINGTON Earthquake 0.1 m — 140 km
2013 COOK STRAIT Earthquake 0.1 m — 125 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Ruapehu (193 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Ruapehu Stratovolcano 2,797 m (9,177 ft) 2007 193 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP). Sorted by distance.

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 64°F (18°C) 2.4 in Warmest
February 64°F (18°C) 2.1 in Driest
March 61°F (16°C) 3.1 in
April 56°F (13°C) 3.0 in
May 51°F (10°C) 3.9 in
June 47°F (8°C) 4.5 in Coldest
July 48°F (9°C) 4.6 in Wettest
August 47°F (9°C) 4.3 in
September 51°F (10°C) 3.2 in
October 54°F (12°C) 2.8 in
November 57°F (14°C) 2.5 in
December 61°F (16°C) 2.8 in

Carterton has a seasonal temperature swing of 17°F / from 47°F in June to 64°F in January. Total annual precipitation is 39.1 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.6") and February the driest (2.1").

View full weather details →