Leeston, New Zealand

Full City Profile

2.6 /5.0

C+ Fair

2,490 Population 3,411/sq mi density

59 ft Elevation 18 meters

53°F Avg Temperature 12°C

C+

Overall

2.6 / 5.0

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

Economy

3.2 / 5.0

$26,400 median income, 1.9% unemployment

Affordability

2.1 / 5.0

$213,200 home value, $1,066/mo rent

Leeston experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winters average 62°F in January while summers reach 43°F in July. The area gets 289 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 25.7 inches. The area receives 0.0 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

62°F Jan (17°C) 43°F Jul (6°C)

Annual Average	53.0°F
	2% below US avg
January Average	62°F (17°C)
July Average	43°F (6°C)
Sunny Days	289 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	59 ft (18 m)
Area	0.7 sq mi (1.9 km²)
Population Density	3,411/sq mi
Coordinates	-43.7667°N, 172.3000°W
Timezone	Pacific/Auckland

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 25.7"

32% below US avg

Snowfall 0.0"

Wettest Month (Aug) 2.56"

Driest Month (Sep) 1.77"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

644 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	47 km
Jun 18, 1994	56 km NW of Oxford, New Zealand	M6.8	103 km
Nov 24, 1995	47 km NW of Oxford, New Zealand	M6.2	96 km
Feb 21, 2011	6 km SE of Christchurch, New Zealand	M6.1	37 km
Jun 19, 1994	40 km N of Methven, New Zealand	M6.0	78 km
Jun 13, 2011	9 km ESE of Christchurch, New Zealand	M5.9	42 km
Feb 14, 2016	12 km ENE of Christchurch, New Zealand	M5.8	50 km
Jan 5, 2015	43 km SSE of Hokitika, New Zealand	M5.6	117 km
Feb 22, 2011	7 km S of Christchurch, New Zealand	M5.6	32 km
May 29, 1995	South Island of New Zealand	M5.5	102 km
Mar 30, 1992	57 km NNW of Methven, New Zealand	M5.5	101 km
Sep 19, 2023	Canterbury, New Zealand	M5.5	95 km
Feb 22, 2011	6 km SSE of Christchurch, New Zealand	M5.5	34 km
Jun 21, 1994	47 km N of Methven, New Zealand	M5.4	84 km
Jun 13, 2011	10 km ESE of Christchurch, New Zealand	M5.2	42 km
Aug 29, 1996	74 km N of Amberley, New Zealand	M5.2	147 km
Jun 21, 2011	1 km SSE of Prebbleton, New Zealand	M5.2	26 km
Jan 1, 2012	21 km ENE of Christchurch, New Zealand	M5.2	57 km
Oct 4, 2010	5 km ESE of Prebbleton, New Zealand	M5.1	28 km
Sep 3, 2010	16 km NNW of Rakaia, New Zealand	M5.1	35 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	130 km
1895	PIEGON BAY	Meteorological	5.0 m	—	49 km
1881	PIGEON BAY (BANKS PENINSULA)	Earthquake	3.0 m	—	49 km
1856	S CANTERBURY PROVINCE, SOUTH ISLAND	Unknown	1.0 m	—	35 km
1922	SE. NEW ZEALAND	Earthquake	0.4 m	—	102 km
1978	OFF EAST COAST OF SOUTH ISLAND	Meteorological	—	—	94 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	62°F (17°C)	2.0 in	Warmest
February	62°F (17°C)	1.9 in
March	59°F (15°C)	2.2 in
April	54°F (12°C)	2.2 in
May	48°F (9°C)	2.3 in
June	44°F (7°C)	2.1 in
July	43°F (6°C)	2.3 in	Coldest
August	45°F (7°C)	2.6 in	Wettest
September	49°F (10°C)	1.8 in	Driest
October	53°F (12°C)	2.3 in
November	56°F (14°C)	2.0 in
December	60°F (16°C)	1.9 in

Leeston has a seasonal temperature swing of 20°F / from 43°F in July to 62°F in January. Total annual precipitation is 25.7 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.6") and September the driest (1.8").

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