Darfield, New Zealand

Full City Profile

2.9 /5.0

C+ Fair

3,380 Population 397/sq mi density

669 ft Elevation 204 meters

52°F Avg Temperature 11°C

C+

Overall

2.9 / 5.0

Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education

Economy

3.3 / 5.0

$29,700 median income, 1.6% unemployment

C+

Affordability

2.5 / 5.0

$218,400 home value, $1,092/mo rent

Darfield experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 62°F in January while summers reach 41°F in July. The area gets 275 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 33.8 inches. The area receives 0.0 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

62°F Jan (16°C) 41°F Jul (5°C)

Annual Average	51.7°F
	4% below US avg
January Average	62°F (16°C)
July Average	41°F (5°C)
Sunny Days	275 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	669 ft (204 m)
Area	8.5 sq mi (22.1 km²)
Population Density	397/sq mi
Coordinates	-43.4833°N, 172.1167°W
Timezone	Pacific/Auckland

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 33.8"

11% below US avg

Snowfall 0.0"

Wettest Month (May) 3.15"

Driest Month (Feb) 2.28"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

679 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	24 km
Jun 18, 1994	56 km NW of Oxford, New Zealand	M6.8	69 km
Nov 24, 1995	47 km NW of Oxford, New Zealand	M6.2	61 km
Feb 21, 2011	6 km SE of Christchurch, New Zealand	M6.1	47 km
Feb 10, 1990	90 km N of Amberley, New Zealand	M6.0	138 km
Jun 19, 1994	40 km N of Methven, New Zealand	M6.0	47 km
Jun 13, 2011	9 km ESE of Christchurch, New Zealand	M5.9	51 km
Feb 14, 2016	12 km ENE of Christchurch, New Zealand	M5.8	53 km
Feb 10, 1990	90 km N of Amberley, New Zealand	M5.7	132 km
Feb 22, 2011	7 km S of Christchurch, New Zealand	M5.6	43 km
Jan 5, 2015	43 km SSE of Hokitika, New Zealand	M5.6	86 km
Mar 30, 1992	57 km NNW of Methven, New Zealand	M5.5	70 km
Sep 19, 2023	Canterbury, New Zealand	M5.5	84 km
Feb 22, 2011	6 km SSE of Christchurch, New Zealand	M5.5	45 km
May 29, 1995	South Island of New Zealand	M5.5	69 km
Jun 21, 1994	47 km N of Methven, New Zealand	M5.4	52 km
Jun 13, 2011	10 km ESE of Christchurch, New Zealand	M5.2	53 km
Aug 29, 1996	74 km N of Amberley, New Zealand	M5.2	122 km
Jun 21, 2011	1 km SSE of Prebbleton, New Zealand	M5.2	35 km
Jan 1, 2012	21 km ENE of Christchurch, New Zealand	M5.2	62 km

Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Tsunami History

7 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	113 km
1895	PIEGON BAY	Meteorological	5.0 m	—	67 km
1881	PIGEON BAY (BANKS PENINSULA)	Earthquake	3.0 m	—	67 km
1856	S CANTERBURY PROVINCE, SOUTH ISLAND	Unknown	1.0 m	—	58 km
1869	NEW ZEALAND	Unknown	0.6 m	—	127 km
1922	SE. NEW ZEALAND	Earthquake	0.4 m	—	90 km
1978	OFF EAST COAST OF SOUTH ISLAND	Meteorological	—	—	82 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	62°F (16°C)	3.0 in	Warmest
February	61°F (16°C)	2.3 in	Driest
March	58°F (15°C)	3.0 in
April	53°F (12°C)	2.8 in
May	47°F (8°C)	3.2 in	Wettest
June	42°F (6°C)	2.4 in
July	41°F (5°C)	3.2 in	Coldest
August	44°F (7°C)	3.2 in
September	48°F (9°C)	2.4 in
October	52°F (11°C)	3.0 in
November	55°F (13°C)	2.6 in
December	59°F (15°C)	2.9 in

Darfield has a seasonal temperature swing of 20°F / from 41°F in July to 62°F in January. Total annual precipitation is 33.8 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.2") and February the driest (2.3").

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