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Kawerau, New Zealand

Full City Profile

1.5 /5.0
D Poor
7,670 Population 906/sq mi density
151 ft Elevation 46 meters
49°F Avg Temperature 9°C
D
Overall
1.5 / 5.0
Below average overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
D
Economy
1.9 / 5.0
$17,340 median income, 22.0% unemployment
F
Affordability
1.0 / 5.0
$174,200 home value, $871/mo rent
Kawerau experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 56°F in January while summers reach 42°F in July. The area gets 273 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 110.2 inches. The area receives 0.0 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

56°F Jan (13°C) 42°F Jul (5°C)
Annual Average49.0°F
9% below US avg
January Average56°F (13°C)
July Average42°F (5°C)
Sunny Days273 days/yr

Geography

Elevation151 ft (46 m)
Area8.5 sq mi (21.9 km²)
Population Density906/sq mi
Coordinates-38.1000°N, 176.7000°W
TimezonePacific/Auckland

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 110.2"
190% above US avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Aug) 6.38"
Driest Month (Jan) 4.13"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

1,679 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M6.5. Most recent: M4.1 on Aug 5, 2025.

Dec 15, 1994 83 km NNE of Opotiki, New Zealand M6.5 116 km
Aug 10, 1993 42 km WNW of Gisborne, New Zealand M6.4 88 km
Dec 7, 2012 27 km SE of Tokoroa, New Zealand M6.3 66 km
Jun 21, 1992 31 km NNW of Whakatane, New Zealand M6.2 48 km
Oct 25, 1999 24 km W of Taupo, New Zealand M6.2 103 km
May 18, 1999 54 km S of Otorohanga, New Zealand M5.8 141 km
May 16, 1992 25 km NNW of Gisborne, New Zealand M5.8 108 km
Aug 18, 1999 74 km N of Opotiki, New Zealand M5.7 101 km
Oct 16, 2012 8 km NE of Taupo, New Zealand M5.6 76 km
Jan 27, 2011 21 km NNW of Taupo, New Zealand M5.6 76 km
Mar 22, 1990 115 km NE of Maketu, New Zealand M5.6 138 km
May 5, 2023 82 km NNE of Whakatane, New Zealand M5.6 107 km
Mar 25, 1992 28 km N of Whakatane, New Zealand M5.6 50 km
Jul 18, 2004 20 km WNW of Kawerau, New Zealand M5.6 20 km
May 24, 2001 38 km WNW of Turangi, New Zealand M5.5 142 km
Nov 16, 1991 60 km NNE of Maketu, New Zealand M5.5 92 km
Jul 5, 2011 29 km W of Taupo, New Zealand M5.5 105 km
Mar 23, 1999 12 km NNW of Edgecumbe, New Zealand M5.4 26 km
Jul 7, 2012 8 km S of Turangi, New Zealand M5.3 133 km
Aug 17, 2002 13 km W of Edgecumbe, New Zealand M5.3 15 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Tsunami History

7 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 1.5 m (5 ft).

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
1910 LAKE TAUPO, NORTH ISLAND Meteorological 1.5 m 1 128 km
2022 LAKE TAUPO, NORTH ISLAND Earthquake 1.0 m 104 km
1956 LAKE TAUPO, NORTH ISLAND Earthquake 0.9 m 119 km
1914 TOLAGA BAY, NORTH ISLAND Eruption + Earthquake 1 136 km
1895 LAKE TAUPO, NORTH ISLAND Eruption + Earthquake 99 km
1846 LAKE TAUPO, NORTH ISLAND Unknown 128 km
1831 POVERTY BAY, NORTH ISLAND Earthquake 132 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Nearby Volcanoes

8 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Okataina (18 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Okataina Lava dome(s) 1,111 m (3,645 ft) 1981 18 km
Reporoa Caldera 592 m (1,942 ft) 1180 48 km
Maroa Caldera(s) 897 m (2,943 ft) 180 65 km
Whakaari/White Island Stratovolcano(es) 294 m (965 ft) 2019 77 km
Mayor Island Shield 355 m (1,165 ft) -5060 99 km
Taupo Caldera 760 m (2,493 ft) 260 101 km
Tongariro Stratovolcano(es) 1,978 m (6,490 ft) 2012 150 km
Ruapehu Stratovolcano 2,797 m (9,177 ft) 2007 164 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP). Sorted by distance.

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 56°F (13°C) 4.1 in Driest
February 65°F (19°C) 4.2 in Warmest
March 63°F (17°C) 5.7 in
April 58°F (14°C) 4.9 in
May 52°F (11°C) 5.1 in
June 48°F (9°C) 6.3 in
July 42°F (5°C) 5.6 in Coldest
August 49°F (9°C) 6.4 in Wettest
September 52°F (11°C) 5.4 in
October 55°F (13°C) 4.8 in
November 59°F (15°C) 4.6 in
December 63°F (17°C) 5.4 in

Kawerau has a seasonal temperature swing of 24°F / from 42°F in July to 65°F in February. Total annual precipitation is 62.4 inches, with August being the wettest month (6.4") and January the driest (4.1").

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