Leithfield, New Zealand

Full City Profile

3.9 /5.0

B+ Good

961 Population 6/sq mi density

75 ft Elevation 23 meters

53°F Avg Temperature 12°C

B+

Overall

3.9 / 5.0

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

Economy

3.2 / 5.0

$48,800 median income, 5.1% unemployment

A+

Affordability

4.5 / 5.0

$187,200 home value, $936/mo rent

Leithfield 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 288 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 26.2 inches. The area receives 0.0 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

62°F Jan (17°C) 43°F Jul (6°C)

Annual Average	53.3°F
	1% below US avg
January Average	62°F (17°C)
July Average	43°F (6°C)
Sunny Days	288 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	75 ft (23 m)
Area	176.3 sq mi (456.7 km²)
Population Density	6/sq mi
Coordinates	-43.2000°N, 172.7333°W
Timezone	Pacific/Auckland

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 26.2"

31% below US avg

Snowfall 0.0"

Wettest Month (Mar) 2.48"

Driest Month (Feb) 1.81"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

748 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	81 km
Jun 18, 1994	56 km NW of Oxford, New Zealand	M6.8	91 km
Nov 24, 1995	47 km NW of Oxford, New Zealand	M6.2	80 km
Feb 21, 2011	6 km SE of Christchurch, New Zealand	M6.1	43 km
Apr 24, 2015	73 km S of Wakefield, New Zealand	M6.1	129 km
Feb 10, 1990	90 km N of Amberley, New Zealand	M6.0	95 km
Jun 19, 1994	40 km N of Methven, New Zealand	M6.0	91 km
Jun 13, 2011	9 km ESE of Christchurch, New Zealand	M5.9	41 km
Feb 14, 2016	12 km ENE of Christchurch, New Zealand	M5.8	31 km
Feb 10, 1990	90 km N of Amberley, New Zealand	M5.7	96 km
Jan 5, 2015	43 km SSE of Hokitika, New Zealand	M5.6	123 km
Feb 22, 2011	7 km S of Christchurch, New Zealand	M5.6	45 km
Feb 22, 2011	6 km SSE of Christchurch, New Zealand	M5.5	44 km
May 29, 1995	South Island of New Zealand	M5.5	101 km
Sep 19, 2023	Canterbury, New Zealand	M5.5	142 km
Mar 30, 1992	57 km NNW of Methven, New Zealand	M5.5	109 km
Jun 21, 1994	47 km N of Methven, New Zealand	M5.4	92 km
Jun 13, 2011	10 km ESE of Christchurch, New Zealand	M5.2	42 km
Jun 21, 2011	1 km SSE of Prebbleton, New Zealand	M5.2	48 km
Jan 1, 2012	21 km ENE of Christchurch, New Zealand	M5.2	33 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	58 km
1895	PIEGON BAY	Meteorological	5.0 m	—	56 km
1881	PIGEON BAY (BANKS PENINSULA)	Earthquake	3.0 m	—	56 km
1856	S CANTERBURY PROVINCE, SOUTH ISLAND	Unknown	1.0 m	—	107 km
1922	SE. NEW ZEALAND	Earthquake	0.4 m	—	31 km
1978	OFF EAST COAST OF SOUTH ISLAND	Meteorological	—	—	23 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	62°F (17°C)	2.2 in	Warmest
February	62°F (17°C)	1.8 in	Driest
March	60°F (15°C)	2.5 in	Wettest
April	55°F (13°C)	2.2 in
May	49°F (9°C)	2.4 in
June	45°F (7°C)	1.9 in
July	43°F (6°C)	2.4 in	Coldest
August	46°F (8°C)	2.5 in
September	50°F (10°C)	1.8 in
October	53°F (12°C)	2.5 in
November	56°F (14°C)	1.9 in
December	60°F (16°C)	2.1 in

Leithfield has a seasonal temperature swing of 19°F / from 43°F in July to 62°F in January. Total annual precipitation is 26.2 inches, with March being the wettest month (2.5") and February the driest (1.8").

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