Masterton, New Zealand

Full City Profile

2.2 /5.0

C Fair

28,700 Population 28/sq mi density

338 ft Elevation 103 meters

56°F Avg Temperature 14°C

Overall

2.2 / 5.0

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

C+

Economy

2.7 / 5.0

$20,640 median income, 4.7% unemployment

Affordability

1.7 / 5.0

$182,000 home value, $910/mo rent

Masterton enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 64°F in January while summers reach 48°F in July. The area gets 235 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 60.9 inches. The area receives 1.3 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

64°F Jan (18°C) 48°F Jul (9°C)

Annual Average	56.3°F
	4% above US avg
January Average	64°F (18°C)
July Average	48°F (9°C)
Sunny Days	235 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	338 ft (103 m)
Area	1,028.7 sq mi (2,664.3 km²)
Population Density	28/sq mi
Coordinates	-40.9597°N, 175.6575°W
Timezone	Pacific/Auckland

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 60.9"

60% above US avg

Snowfall 1.3"

Wettest Month (Jul) 5.16"

Driest Month (Feb) 2.64"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

1,190 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M6.5. Most recent: M3.2 on Jul 10, 2025.

Jul 21, 2013	38 km ESE of Blenheim, New Zealand	M6.5	138 km
May 13, 1990	39 km E of Palmerston North, New Zealand	M6.4	81 km
Feb 19, 1990	41 km E of Palmerston North, New Zealand	M6.3	78 km
Jan 20, 2014	35 km NNE of Masterton, New Zealand	M6.1	36 km
Aug 16, 2013	30 km ESE of Blenheim, New Zealand	M5.9	141 km
Jul 20, 2013	38 km ESE of Blenheim, New Zealand	M5.9	130 km
Mar 22, 1995	27 km N of Picton, New Zealand	M5.8	138 km
Feb 15, 2023	55 km NW of Raumati Beach, New Zealand	M5.7	105 km
Sep 8, 1991	29 km WSW of Bulls, New Zealand	M5.6	94 km
Oct 4, 1990	25 km SE of Brooklyn, New Zealand	M5.6	83 km
May 24, 2020	29 km WNW of Foxton, New Zealand	M5.6	88 km
Mar 2, 1992	63 km N of Castlepoint, New Zealand	M5.5	91 km
Jul 18, 2013	38 km E of Blenheim, New Zealand	M5.5	123 km
Oct 6, 1990	24 km SW of Waipawa, New Zealand	M5.5	75 km
Jun 9, 1991	38 km SSW of Patea, New Zealand	M5.4	143 km
Apr 25, 2023	37 km E of Dannevirke, New Zealand	M5.4	107 km
Sep 24, 2001	67 km NNE of Castlepoint, New Zealand	M5.4	100 km
Apr 25, 2023	North Island of New Zealand	M5.3	106 km
Jul 21, 2013	34 km E of Blenheim, New Zealand	M5.3	126 km
Feb 18, 2003	63 km NNE of Castlepoint, New Zealand	M5.3	102 km

Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Tsunami History

3 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 15.0 m (49 ft).

Year	Location	Cause	Max Wave	Deaths	Distance
1931	N. NEW ZEALAND	Eruption + Earthquake	15.0 m	261	136 km
1855	NORTHERN ISLAND	Earthquake	11.0 m	—	64 km
2013	COOK STRAIT	Earthquake	0.1 m	—	138 km

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

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Ruapehu (187 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Ruapehu	Stratovolcano	2,797 m (9,177 ft)	2007	187 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP). Sorted by distance.

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	64°F (18°C)	2.7 in	Warmest
February	63°F (17°C)	2.6 in	Driest
March	60°F (16°C)	3.5 in
April	55°F (13°C)	3.2 in
May	50°F (10°C)	4.1 in
June	46°F (8°C)	4.6 in	Coldest
July	48°F (9°C)	5.2 in	Wettest
August	47°F (8°C)	4.3 in
September	50°F (10°C)	3.9 in
October	53°F (12°C)	3.2 in
November	56°F (14°C)	3.1 in
December	60°F (16°C)	3.4 in

Masterton has a seasonal temperature swing of 18°F / from 46°F in June to 64°F in January. Total annual precipitation is 43.7 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.2") and February the driest (2.6").

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