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Mount Cook, New Zealand

Wellington Region · New Zealand

Mount Cook is a small city in Wellington Region, New Zealand with a population of 7,510. Elevation: 141 ft (43 m). Average temperature: 58°F (14°C).

Data updated June 2026

1.5 /5.0
D Poor
7,510 Population 31/sq mi density
141 ft Elevation 43 meters
58°F Avg Temperature 14°C
33.9 in Annual Rain
Pacific / Auckland Timezone
$19,920 Median Income
D
Overall
1.5 / 5.0
Poor overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.0 / 5.0
$19,920 median income, 8.8% unemployment
F
Affordability
1.0 / 5.0
$208,000 home value, $1,040/mo rent

Discover Mount Cook, New Zealand

Explore over 40 sections covering people, economy, housing, health, crime, climate, community, costs, trends, schools, colleges, hospitals, treatment centers, industries, museums, libraries, breweries, farmers markets, grocery stores, pharmacies, campgrounds, parks, trails, stadiums, ski resorts, daycare centers, nursing homes, churches, fire stations, cell towers, bridges, power plants, EV stations, prisons, radio stations, airports, police stations, post offices, Amtrak stations, superfund sites, UNESCO sites, and more.
Use the tabs and dropdown menus below to navigate every data point we track for this city.

Full City Profile

About Mount Cook



Mount Cook Group was a New Zealand tourism and transport operator founded on 2 April 1912 by Rodolph Lysaght Wigley. Originally a road transport business, the Mount Cook Tourist Company of New Zealand became a public company in 1928. By 1930 Wigley had built it into the largest tourist organisation in New Zealand, and it was renamed Mount Cook and Southern Lakes Tourist Company, the name adopted in the mid-1930s. In 1976 it became The Mount Cook Group Ltd. The company was split in 1989 with various operations progressively sold off, with Air New Zealand retaining the airline businesses. The company remained until 17 June 2013 when it was amalgamated into Air New Zealand Associated Companies Limited, a holding company for Air New Zealand's various businesses.

People

Population7,510
Median Age27.3 yrs
Density31/mi²

Economy

C
Median Income$19,920
Per Capita$19,920
Unemployment8.8%

Housing

F
Home Value$208,000
Rent$1,040
Ownership12.0%
Housing Units3,004

Climate

Avg Temp58°F (14°C)
Rain33.9 in/yr
Sunny Days292/yr
Elevation141 ft (43 m)
Population7,510
Population Density31 / sq mi
Elevation141 ft (43 m)
Coordinates-41.3015°, 174.7748°
TimezonePacific/Auckland
Country🇳🇿 New Zealand
State / ProvinceWellington Region
Average Temperature58°F (14°C)
January Average62°F (17°C)
July Average53°F (12°C)
Annual Precipitation33.9 inches (861 mm)
Annual Snowfall0.0 inches (0 cm)
Median Household Income$19,920
Median Age27.3 years

About Mount Cook

Mount Cook is a small city in New Zealand (Wellington Region) with a population of 7,510. The city sits at an elevation of 141 feet (43 meters) above sea level. The average annual temperature is 58°F (14°C). Temperatures range from 62°F in January to 53°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 33.9 inches. The timezone is Pacific/Auckland.

Mount Cook has a population of 7,510 with a density of 31 people per square mile, spread across 239.3 square miles. The median age is 27.3 years, 30% younger than the national median of 38.9.

Population

7,510
Total Population
31
People / sq mi
27.3yrs
Median Age
30% below New Zealand avg
239.3mi²
Land Area

Language Spoken at Home

Other Languages 100.0%

Social Characteristics

Mount Cook vs New Zealand Average

The median household income in Mount Cook is $19,920, which is 73% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $19,920 (below the $39,052 national figure). The average weekly wage is $383, 73% lower than the U.S. average. The unemployment rate is 8.8% (above the 3.6% US average). The area has 691 business establishments.

Income: Mount Cook vs New Zealand

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$19,920
73% below New Zealand avg
Per Capita Income$19,920
Avg Weekly Wage$383

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment8.8%
144% above New Zealand avg
Establishments (County)691

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Walkability

The median home value in Mount Cook is $208,000, 26% below the national median of $281,900. Monthly rent averages $1,040 (11% below the national average of $1,163). 12.0% of housing units are owner-occupied (below the 65.4% national rate). There are 3,004 total housing units in the city. The home price-to-income ratio is 10.4x, making homeownership a significant financial stretch for most families.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$208,000
26% below New Zealand avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,040
11% below New Zealand avg

Ownership & Property

Homeownership12.0%
Owner-Occupied12.0%
Renter-Occupied88.0%
Housing Units3,004

Property Tax

Climate in Mount Cook

Mount Cook has an average annual temperature of 0°C (32°F). The hottest month is Jan (0°C), the coldest is Jan (0°C). Average annual precipitation is 987 mm.

Month Avg °C / °F Min / Max °C Rain (mm)
Jan 0°C / 32°F - / - 56.9
Feb 0°C / 32°F - / - 54.9
Mar 0°C / 32°F - / - 77.0
Apr 0°C / 32°F - / - 82.7
May 0°C / 32°F - / - 98.4
Jun 0°C / 32°F - / - 105.1
Jul 0°C / 32°F - / - 115.5
Aug 0°C / 32°F - / - 87.0
Sep 0°C / 32°F - / - 79.9
Oct 0°C / 32°F - / - 85.5
Nov 0°C / 32°F - / - 73.0
Dec 0°C / 32°F - / - 71.2
Mount Cook enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F (14°C). Winters average 62°F in January while summers reach 53°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 292 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 33.9 inches. The city sits at an elevation of 141 feet.

Temperature

62°F Jan (17°C) 53°F Jul (12°C)
Annual Average57.9°F
7% above New Zealand avg
January Average62°F (17°C)
July Average53°F (12°C)
Sunny Days292 days/yr

Geography

Elevation141 ft (43 m)
Area239.3 sq mi (619.8 km²)
Population Density31/sq mi
Coordinates-41.3015°N, 174.7748°W
TimezonePacific/Auckland

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 33.9"
11% below New Zealand avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Jul) 5.91"
Driest Month (Feb) 2.44"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

1,232 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M6.5. Most recent: M4.3 on Aug 30, 2025.

Aug 16, 2013 29 km SE of Blenheim, New Zealand M6.5 71 km
Jul 21, 2013 38 km ESE of Blenheim, New Zealand M6.5 58 km
Jan 20, 2014 35 km NNE of Masterton, New Zealand M6.1 113 km
May 27, 1992 21 km WSW of Blenheim, New Zealand M6.0 94 km
Aug 16, 2013 30 km ESE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.9 59 km
Aug 16, 2013 26 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.9 78 km
Jul 20, 2013 38 km ESE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.9 50 km
Mar 22, 1995 27 km N of Picton, New Zealand M5.8 70 km
Feb 15, 2023 55 km NW of Raumati Beach, New Zealand M5.7 86 km
Sep 8, 1991 29 km WSW of Bulls, New Zealand M5.6 119 km
Oct 4, 1990 25 km SE of Brooklyn, New Zealand M5.6 25 km
May 24, 2020 29 km WNW of Foxton, New Zealand M5.6 104 km
Jul 18, 2013 38 km E of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.5 41 km
Aug 16, 2013 30 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.5 75 km
Oct 6, 1990 24 km SW of Waipawa, New Zealand M5.5 57 km
Jun 9, 1991 38 km SSW of Patea, New Zealand M5.4 137 km
Jan 5, 2017 36 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.4 84 km
Aug 16, 2013 25 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.4 71 km
Jul 21, 2013 34 km E of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.3 43 km
Jan 20, 2005 16 km SE of Upper Hutt, New Zealand M5.3 37 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tsunami History

4 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 11.0 m (36 ft).

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
1855 NORTHERN ISLAND Earthquake 11.0 m - 20 km
2013 WELLINGTON Earthquake 0.1 m - 71 km
2013 COOK STRAIT Earthquake 0.1 m - 58 km
1855 WHARANUI Earthquake - - 90 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 62°F (17°C) 3.7 in Warmest
February 62°F (17°C) 2.4 in Driest
March 60°F (15°C) 4.3 in
April 56°F (13°C) 4.3 in
May 51°F (11°C) 5.2 in
June 48°F (9°C) 5.3 in
July 53°F (12°C) 5.9 in Wettest
August 48°F (9°C) 5.4 in Coldest
September 50°F (10°C) 4.5 in
October 53°F (12°C) 4.2 in
November 56°F (13°C) 3.8 in
December 59°F (15°C) 3.9 in

Mount Cook has a seasonal temperature swing of 15°F / from 48°F in August to 62°F in January. Total annual precipitation is 52.8 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.9") and February the driest (2.4").

View full weather details →

Schools in Mount Cook

3 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).

School Level Enrollment Teachers Student/Teacher
Wellington High School - - - -
Wellington College - - - -
Saint Mark's Church School - - - -
View full schools details →

Radio Stations near Mount Cook

17 stations within ~55 km.

Station Genre Quality
ZM Wellington (new) - AAC+ 64 kbps
95bFM - FLAC university radio, university of auckland OGG 64 kbps
Coast Access Radio MP3 community radio MP3 134 kbps
95bFM - 256Kbps MP3 university radio, university of auckland MP3 256 kbps
Radioactive.FM 88.6 alternative, indie MP3 320 kbps
RNZ National - MP3 64 kbps
jakemusic random MP3
The Cheese gen-x, music MP3 128 kbps
Wellington Access Radio community, culture MP3 134 kbps
KIX FM classic rock MP3 128 kbps
95bFM - 64kbps AAC+ university radio, university of auckland AAC+ 64 kbps
TLC Radio Northland - MP3
Heads FM Mangawhai 106.4 community, rock MP3 128 kbps
Mushroom FM - MP3 128 kbps
Mouthfull Radio - MP3 192 kbps
World FM Tawa 88.2 current affairs, kiwi AAC+ 32 kbps
Paekakariki 88.2FM community, eclectic AAC 64 kbps

Museums in Mount Cook

NameTypeAddressPhoneAnnual Revenue
Bolton St Cemetery Chapel
Bolton St Cemetery Chapel
Cable Car Museum
Cable Car Museum
Cricket Museum
Cricket Museum
Holocaust Centre of New Zealand
Holocaust Centre of New Zealand
Katherine Mansfield House and Garden
Katherine Mansfield House and Garden
Munitions Laboratory and Muesum / Public Toilets
Museum of New Zealand
Museum of New Zealand
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa Archives
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa Archives
Nairn Street Colonial Cottage
Nairn Street Colonial Cottage
New Zealand Police Museum
New Zealand Portrait Gallery
New Zealand Portrait Gallery
Pātaka Art + Museum
Petone Settlers Museum
Porirua Hospital Museum
Reserve Bank Museum
Reserve Bank Museum
Silver Stream Railway Museum
Space Place
Space Place
Te Māori Waiwhetu Cultural Centre and Museum
The Dowse Art Museum
Victoria University Classics Museum
Victoria University Classics Museum
Wellington Museum
Wellington Museum

Libraries in Mount Cook

NameAddressStaffAnnual VisitsCirculationCollectionPrograms
Alexander Turnbull Library0.0
Alexander Turnbull Library0.0
Brooklyn Library0.0
Brooklyn Library0.0
Cummings Park (Ngaio) Library0.0
Eastbourne Community Library0.0
He Matapihi Molesworth Library0.0
He Matapihi Molesworth Library0.0
Island Bay Library0.0
Island Bay Library0.0
Johnsonville Library0.0
Johnsonville Library0.0
Karori Library0.0
Khandallah Library0.0
Khandallah Library0.0
Library0.0
Lower Hutt War Memorial Library0.0
Massey University Library0.0
Mervyn Kemp (Tawa) Library0.0
Miramar Library0.0
Miramar Library0.0
Moera Library0.0
Naenae Kitty Mildenhall Community Library0.0
National Library of New Zealand0.0
Newtown Library0.0
Parliamentary Library0.0
Petone Community Library0.0
Pinehaven Library0.0
Porirua Library0.0
Ramsey House Library0.0
Ramsey House Library0.0
Ruth Gotlieb Library0.0
Ruth Gotlieb Library0.0
Stokes Valley Library0.0
Te Awe Library0.0
Te Awe Library0.0
Te Mataphi ki te ao nui / Central Library0.0
Titahi Bay Library0.0
VUW - Central Library0.0
VUW - Central Library0.0
VUW Law Library0.0
VUW Law Library0.0
Wadestown Library0.0
Wainuiomata Library0.0
Whitby Library0.0

Farmers Markets in Mount Cook

NameAddressSeasonHoursOrganicWebsite
Harbourside Market
Harbourside Market
Newtown Fruit & Vegetables Market
Newtown Fruit & Vegetables Market
Riverbank Market
Waitangirua Market

Hotels in Mount Cook

2 hotels within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Capital View Motor Inn
Hotel Willis

Restaurants in Mount Cook

4 restaurants within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

23 Asian Kitchen
Basin Noodle House
Hiakai
Pizza Hut

Cafes in Mount Cook

2 cafes within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Coffee Supreme
Creamy and Crunchy

Monuments in Mount Cook

2 monuments within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Australian Memorial
Taranaki

Veterinaries in Mount Cook

2 veterinaries within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Central Wellington Veterinary Hospital
Tasman Street Vet Centre

Gas Stations in Mount Cook

1 gas stations within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

BP

Breweries in Mount Cook

NameTypeAddressPhoneWebsite
Garage Project Wild Workshop
Garage Project Wild Workshop
Mean Doses
Mean Doses
Parrotdog Brewery
Parrotdog Brewery
The Malthouse
The Malthouse

Stadiums & Teams in Mount Cook

TeamLeagueDivision
Basin Reserve
Hnry Stadium
National Hockey Stadium
Renouf Tennis Centre

Airports Near Mount Cook

6 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
Wellington International AirportWLGLarge Airport
Paraparaumu AirportPPQMedium Airport
Cape Campbell airstrip-Small Airport
Martinborough Airport-Small Airport
Otaki Airport-Small Airport
Papawai Airfield-Small Airport

Treatment Centers in Mount Cook

11 treatment centers.

CenterTypePhone
ABI Rehabilitation Specialists
Capital Care Health Centre
Dilworth Hearing
Hikitia Te Wairua
Karori Village Health Centre
Peninsula Medical Centre
Rangipapa Forensic Psychiatry Inpatient Unit
Snip Vasectomy
Student Health
The Sports and Pain Clinic
Wellington Sexual Health Service

Churches & Religious Organizations in Mount Cook

10 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).

NameAddress
C3 Church Wellington Central
Equippers Church Wellington
Gracenet Community Church
Lifeline
Lifepoint Church / Wellington Lifepoint Assemblies of God
Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church
St Paul's Lutheran Church
The Church of Christ
Wellington Buddhist Centre
Wellington Seventh-Day Adventist Church

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 Mount Cook

What is the population of Mount Cook?

Mount Cook has a population of 7,510 residents and is located in New Zealand. The population density is 31 people per square mile, spread across 239.3 square miles. The median age of residents is 27.3 years, which is younger than the national median of 38.9 years.

Is Mount Cook expensive to live in?

The median household income is $19,920, 73% below the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $208,000 (26% below the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $1,040 per month, below the national average of $1,163. The home price-to-income ratio is 10.4x, which means housing is a stretch relative to local earnings.

What is the weather like in Mount Cook?

Mount Cook enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F (14°C). Winter temperatures average 62°F in January, while summers reach an average of 53°F in July. The area receives 292 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 33.9 inches.

How is the job market in Mount Cook?

The job market in Mount Cook faces challenges, with unemployment at 8.8% / significantly above the national rate of 3.6%. The average weekly wage is $383. There are 691 business establishments in the area.

How much does housing cost in Mount Cook?

The median home value in Mount Cook is $208,000. For renters, the median monthly rent is $1,040. The homeownership rate is 12.0%.

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