Methven, New Zealand

Full City Profile

3.1 /5.0

B Good

2,130 Population 1/sq mi density

1,047 ft Elevation 319 meters

50°F Avg Temperature 10°C

Overall

3.1 / 5.0

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

Economy

3.2 / 5.0

$27,360 median income, 2.4% unemployment

C+

Affordability

2.9 / 5.0

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

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. The area gets 254 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 45.3 inches. The area receives 0.0 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

59°F Jan (15°C) 39°F Jul (4°C)

Annual Average	49.5°F
	8% below US avg
January Average	59°F (15°C)
July Average	39°F (4°C)
Sunny Days	254 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,047 ft (319 m)
Area	3,935.4 sq mi (10,192.7 km²)
Population Density	1/sq mi
Coordinates	-43.6333°N, 171.6500°W
Timezone	Pacific/Auckland

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 45.3"

19% above US 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").

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