Methven, New Zealand

Canterbury · New Zealand

Methven is a small town in Canterbury, New Zealand with a population of 1,900. Elevation: 1,047 ft (319 m). Average temperature: 50°F (10°C).

Population source: Wikidata (dated census and official estimates), GeoNames. Climate: WorldClim 2.1 normals (1970-2000), NASA POWER. Updated August 2026

1,900 Population
1,047 ft Elevation 319 meters
50°F Avg Temperature 10°C
45.3 in Annual Rain
Pacific / Auckland Timezone

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About Methven

Methven

Methven is a small town in the Canterbury region of the South Island of New Zealand. It is located near the western edge of the Canterbury Plains, 34 km (21 mi) north of Ashburton and 95 km (59 mi) west of Christchurch, and at an elevation of 320 m (1,050 ft). The town is a service centre for agriculture in the surrounding area, and is a base for skiing at the nearby Mount Hutt skifield. The town slogan is "Amazing Space".

People

Population1,900

Climate

Avg Temp50°F (10°C)
Rain45.3 in/yr
Elevation1,047 ft (319 m)
Population1,900
Elevation1,047 ft (319 m)
Coordinates-43.6333°, 171.6500°
TimezonePacific/Auckland
Country🇳🇿 New Zealand
State / ProvinceCanterbury
Average Temperature50°F (10°C)
January Average59°F (15°C)
July Average39°F (4°C)
Annual Precipitation45.3 inches (1,151 mm)
Annual Snowfall0.0 inches (0 cm)

About Methven

Methven is a small town in New Zealand (Canterbury) with a population of 1,900. The city sits at an elevation of 1,047 feet (319 meters) above sea level. The average annual temperature is 50°F (10°C). Temperatures range from 59°F in January to 39°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 45.3 inches. The timezone is Pacific/Auckland.

Methven experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 59°F in January while summers reach 39°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. Annual precipitation totals 45.3 inches. The city sits at an elevation of 1,047 feet.

Temperature

59°F Jan (15°C) 39°F Jul (4°C)
Annual Average49.5°F
8% below New Zealand avg
January Average59°F (15°C)
July Average39°F (4°C)

Geography

Elevation1,047 ft (319 m)
Coordinates43.6333°S, 171.6500°E
TimezonePacific/Auckland

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 45.3"
19% above New Zealand avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Oct) 4.25"
Driest Month (Jun) 2.83"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

647 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 19 km
Jun 18, 1994 56 km NW of Oxford, New Zealand M6.8 75 km
Nov 24, 1995 47 km NW of Oxford, New Zealand M6.2 73 km
Feb 21, 2011 6 km SE of Christchurch, New Zealand M6.1 83 km
Jun 19, 1994 40 km N of Methven, New Zealand M6.0 40 km
Jun 13, 2011 9 km ESE of Christchurch, New Zealand M5.9 88 km
Feb 14, 2016 12 km ENE of Christchurch, New Zealand M5.8 92 km
Jan 5, 2015 43 km SSE of Hokitika, New Zealand M5.6 73 km
Feb 22, 2011 7 km S of Christchurch, New Zealand M5.6 78 km
Sep 19, 2023 Canterbury, New Zealand M5.5 43 km
Mar 30, 1992 57 km NNW of Methven, New Zealand M5.5 58 km
Feb 22, 2011 6 km SSE of Christchurch, New Zealand M5.5 81 km
May 29, 1995 South Island of New Zealand M5.5 66 km
Jun 21, 1994 47 km N of Methven, New Zealand M5.4 48 km
Jan 1, 2012 21 km ENE of Christchurch, New Zealand M5.2 101 km
Jun 21, 2011 1 km SSE of Prebbleton, New Zealand M5.2 71 km
Jun 13, 2011 10 km ESE of Christchurch, New Zealand M5.2 89 km
Jan 14, 2012 10 km E of Christchurch, New Zealand M5.1 90 km
Sep 3, 2010 16 km NNW of Rakaia, New Zealand M5.1 21 km
Oct 4, 2010 5 km ESE of Prebbleton, New Zealand M5.1 74 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tsunami History

6 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 5.0 m (16 ft).

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
1895 PIEGON BAY Meteorological 5.0 m - 101 km
1881 PIGEON BAY (BANKS PENINSULA) Earthquake 3.0 m - 101 km
1856 S CANTERBURY PROVINCE, SOUTH ISLAND Unknown 1.0 m - 50 km
1869 NEW ZEALAND Unknown 0.6 m - 116 km
1922 SE. NEW ZEALAND Earthquake 0.4 m - 130 km
1978 OFF EAST COAST OF SOUTH ISLAND Meteorological - - 123 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 59°F (15°C) 4.2 in Warmest
February 59°F (15°C) 3.4 in
March 56°F (13°C) 3.8 in
April 51°F (10°C) 3.9 in
May 45°F (7°C) 3.7 in
June 40°F (4°C) 2.8 in Driest
July 39°F (4°C) 3.7 in Coldest
August 42°F (5°C) 3.9 in
September 46°F (8°C) 3.6 in
October 50°F (10°C) 4.3 in Wettest
November 53°F (12°C) 3.9 in
December 57°F (14°C) 4.2 in

Methven has a seasonal temperature swing of 20°F / from 39°F in July to 59°F in January. Total annual precipitation is 45.3 inches, with October being the wettest month (4.3") and June the driest (2.8").

View full weather details →

Schools in Methven

3 public schools (OpenStreetMap data).

School Level Enrollment Teachers Student/Teacher
Methven School - - - -
Mount Hutt College - - - -
Our Lady of the Snows School - - - -
View full schools details →

Radio Stations near Methven

1 stations within ~55 km.

Station Genre Quality
Compass FM community radio, local news MP3 128 kbps

Museums in Methven

NameTypeAddressPhoneAnnual Revenue
Staveley Historical and Geological Centre

Hotels in Methven

5 hotels within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Barkers Lodge
Beluga Lodge
Brinkley Resort
Methven Resort
The Lodge

Restaurants in Methven

12 restaurants within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

131 Eatery
AQUA Japanese Restaurant & Takeaway
Crossroads
Dom's
Forest Lodge
Kebab Food Truck - Kebizza
Lisah's Restaurant and Bar
Nawab Eatery
Ski Time Restaurant
Thai Chilli
The Green Parrot Bar & Grill
The Last Post Cafe

Cafes in Methven

7 cafes within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Amara
Arabica Licensed Cafe
Cafe 131
Primo E Secundo
Station Coffee
Station Coffee
The Alpine Grind

Cinemas in Methven

1 cinemas within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Cinema Paradiso Methven

Gas Stations in Methven

2 gas stations within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Gasoline station
Mobil

Banks in Methven

1 banks within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Bank of New Zealand

Golf Courses in Methven

2 golf courses within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Methven Golf Course
Terrace Downs Golf Resort

Ski Resorts Near Methven

7 ski resorts within range.

Resort Slopes (km) Lifts Peak (m) Price Season Night Park
Mount Hutt Ski Area 0.0 - - $0 - - -
Porters Ski Area 0.0 - - $0 - - -
Mount Olympus Ski Area 0.0 - - $0 - - -
Mount Cheeseman Ski Area 0.0 - - $0 - - -
Mt Cheeseman Ski Area 0.0 - - $0 - - -
Broken River Ski Area 0.0 - - $0 - - -
Craigieburn Valley Ski Area 0.0 - - $0 - - -

Airports Near Methven

14 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
Timaru AirportTIUMedium Airport
Anama airstrip-Small Airport
Arrowsmith Station-Small Airport
Ashburton AirportASGSmall Airport
Dunsandel-Small Airport
Forest Field Aerodrome-Small Airport
Hakatere Airstrip-Small Airport
Manuka Point Lodge Airstrip-Small Airport
Mesopotamia Station Airstrip-Small Airport
Mount Hutt Station Airstrip-Small Airport
Pudding Hill Aerodrome-Small Airport
Rangitata Island Airport-Small Airport
Springfield Airport-Small Airport
West Melton Aerodrome-Small Airport

Churches & Religious Organizations in Methven

4 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).

NameAddress
All Saints Methven
New Life Church
Our Lady of the Snows - Methven
St John's Presbyterian Church

Explore Near Methven

Waterfalls
3
Natural waterfalls documented by USGS and OpenStreetMap contributors
View all →

Waterfalls Near Methven

3 waterfalls from OpenStreetMap and USGS geographic data found near Methven.

Name Description
Armchair Waterfall
Sharplin Falls
The Dell

Quick Facts

Timezone
Pacific/Auckland

🇳🇿 About New Zealand

Capital Wellington
Population 4,885,500
Area 268,680 km²
GDP (USD) $255,194,972,673
GDP per capita $49,076
HDI 0.939
Life expectancy 83.0 years
Internet users 96.2%
Urban population 83.9%
Currency NZD (Dollar)
Languages English, Māori, New Zealand Sign Language
Calling code +64
TLD .nz
Driving side left

Public Holidays in New Zealand

23 public holidays this year

Date Holiday Local Name
Jan 1 New Year's Day New Year's Day
Jan 2 Day after New Year's Day Day after New Year's Day
Jan 19 Wellington Anniversary Day Wellington Anniversary Day
Jan 26 Auckland Anniversary Day Auckland/Northland Anniversary Day
Feb 2 Nelson Anniversary Day Nelson Anniversary Day
Feb 6 Waitangi Day Waitangi Day
Mar 9 Taranaki Anniversary Day Taranaki Anniversary Day
Mar 23 Otago Anniversary Day Otago Anniversary Day
Apr 3 Good Friday Good Friday
Apr 6 Easter Monday Easter Monday
Apr 7 Southland Anniversary Day Southland Anniversary Day
Apr 27 Anzac Day Anzac Day
Jun 1 King's Birthday King's Birthday
Jul 10 Matariki Matariki
Sep 28 Canterbury (South) Anniversary Day Dominion Day
Oct 23 Hawke's Bay Anniversary Day Hawke's Bay Anniversary Day
Oct 26 Labour Day Labour Day
Nov 2 Marlborough Anniversary Day Marlborough Anniversary Day
Nov 13 Canterbury Anniversary Day Canterbury (North & Central) Anniversary Day
Nov 30 Chatham Islands Anniversary Day Chatham Islands Anniversary Day
Nov 30 Westland Anniversary Day Westland Anniversary Day
Dec 25 Christmas Day Christmas Day
Dec 28 Boxing Day Boxing Day

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Frequently Asked Questions About Methven

What is the population of Methven?

Methven has a population of 1,900 residents and is located in New Zealand..

What is the weather like in Methven?

Methven has a four-season climate with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winter temperatures average 59°F in January, while summers reach an average of 39°F in July. Annual rainfall totals 45.3 inches.

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