Kaikoura, New Zealand

Full City Profile

2.6 /5.0

C+ Fair

685 Population 1/sq mi density

125 ft Elevation 38 meters

54°F Avg Temperature 12°C

C+

Overall

2.6 / 5.0

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

Economy

3.0 / 5.0

$19,860 median income, 2.1% unemployment

Affordability

2.2 / 5.0

$156,000 home value, $780/mo rent

Kaikoura experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 62°F in January while summers reach 46°F in July. The area gets 269 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 36.7 inches. The area receives 0.0 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

62°F Jan (17°C) 46°F Jul (8°C)

Annual Average	54.3°F
	1% above US avg
January Average	62°F (17°C)
July Average	46°F (8°C)
Sunny Days	269 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	125 ft (38 m)
Area	2.6 sq mi (6.8 km²)
Population Density	1/sq mi
Coordinates	-42.4167°N, 173.6833°W
Timezone	Pacific/Auckland

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 36.7"

3% below US avg

Snowfall 0.0"

Wettest Month (Apr) 4.17"

Driest Month (Feb) 2.20"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

848 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M6.5. Most recent: M3.0 on Aug 30, 2025.

Jul 21, 2013	38 km ESE of Blenheim, New Zealand	M6.5	96 km
Aug 16, 2013	29 km SE of Blenheim, New Zealand	M6.5	85 km
Apr 24, 2015	73 km S of Wakefield, New Zealand	M6.1	68 km
Feb 10, 1990	90 km N of Amberley, New Zealand	M6.0	73 km
May 27, 1992	21 km WSW of Blenheim, New Zealand	M6.0	89 km
Jul 20, 2013	38 km ESE of Blenheim, New Zealand	M5.9	104 km
Aug 16, 2013	26 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand	M5.9	81 km
Jun 13, 2011	9 km ESE of Christchurch, New Zealand	M5.9	149 km
Aug 16, 2013	30 km ESE of Blenheim, New Zealand	M5.9	96 km
Feb 14, 2016	12 km ENE of Christchurch, New Zealand	M5.8	140 km
Feb 10, 1990	90 km N of Amberley, New Zealand	M5.7	90 km
Oct 4, 1990	25 km SE of Brooklyn, New Zealand	M5.6	148 km
Jul 18, 2013	38 km E of Blenheim, New Zealand	M5.5	114 km
Aug 16, 2013	30 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand	M5.5	81 km
Jan 5, 2017	36 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand	M5.4	72 km
Aug 16, 2013	25 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand	M5.4	87 km
Jul 21, 2013	34 km E of Blenheim, New Zealand	M5.3	113 km
Feb 9, 2016	79 km S of Wakefield, New Zealand	M5.2	60 km
Jan 1, 2012	21 km ENE of Christchurch, New Zealand	M5.2	135 km
Feb 21, 2022	36 km SW of Blenheim, New Zealand	M5.2	74 km

Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Tsunami History

6 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	63 km
1922	SE. NEW ZEALAND	Earthquake	0.4 m	—	86 km
2013	WELLINGTON	Earthquake	0.1 m	—	85 km
2013	COOK STRAIT	Earthquake	0.1 m	—	96 km
1978	OFF EAST COAST OF SOUTH ISLAND	Meteorological	—	—	94 km
1855	WHARANUI	Earthquake	—	—	64 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	62°F (17°C)	2.3 in	Warmest
February	62°F (17°C)	2.2 in	Driest
March	60°F (16°C)	3.7 in
April	56°F (13°C)	4.2 in	Wettest
May	51°F (11°C)	3.5 in
June	47°F (8°C)	2.8 in
July	46°F (8°C)	4.1 in	Coldest
August	47°F (8°C)	3.6 in
September	51°F (10°C)	2.9 in
October	54°F (12°C)	2.6 in
November	57°F (14°C)	2.4 in
December	60°F (16°C)	2.3 in

Kaikoura has a seasonal temperature swing of 17°F / from 46°F in July to 62°F in January. Total annual precipitation is 36.7 inches, with April being the wettest month (4.2") and February the driest (2.2").

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