Murchison, New Zealand

Tasman District · New Zealand

Murchison is a small town in Tasman District, New Zealand with a population of 500. Elevation: 564 ft (172 m). Average temperature: 49°F (10°C).

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

500 Population 298/sq mi density
564 ft Elevation 172 meters
49°F Avg Temperature 10°C
91.9 in Annual Rain
Pacific / Auckland Timezone

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People

Population500
Density298/mi²

Climate

Avg Temp49°F (10°C)
Rain91.9 in/yr
Elevation564 ft (172 m)
Population500
Population Density298 / sq mi
Elevation564 ft (172 m)
Coordinates-41.8000°, 172.3333°
TimezonePacific/Auckland
Country🇳🇿 New Zealand
State / ProvinceTasman District
Average Temperature49°F (10°C)
January Average58°F (15°C)
July Average39°F (4°C)
Annual Precipitation91.9 inches (2,333 mm)
Annual Snowfall0.0 inches (0 cm)

About Murchison

Murchison is a small town in New Zealand (Tasman District) with a population of 500. The city sits at an elevation of 564 feet (172 meters) above sea level. The average annual temperature is 49°F (10°C). Temperatures range from 58°F in January to 39°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 91.9 inches. The timezone is Pacific/Auckland.

Murchison experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (10°C). Winters average 58°F in January while summers reach 39°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. Annual precipitation totals 91.9 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 564 feet.

Temperature

58°F Jan (15°C) 39°F Jul (4°C)
Annual Average49.1°F
9% below New Zealand avg
January Average58°F (15°C)
July Average39°F (4°C)

Geography

Elevation564 ft (172 m)
Area1.7 sq mi (4.4 km²)
Population Density298/sq mi
Coordinates41.8000°S, 172.3333°E
TimezonePacific/Auckland

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 91.9"
142% above New Zealand avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Sep) 9.06"
Driest Month (Feb) 5.00"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

459 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M6.8. Most recent: M4.3 on Aug 30, 2025.

Jun 18, 1994 56 km NW of Oxford, New Zealand M6.8 141 km
Nov 24, 1995 47 km NW of Oxford, New Zealand M6.2 139 km
Apr 24, 2015 73 km S of Wakefield, New Zealand M6.1 63 km
Feb 10, 1990 90 km N of Amberley, New Zealand M6.0 72 km
May 27, 1992 21 km WSW of Blenheim, New Zealand M6.0 118 km
Jan 28, 1991 29 km SSE of Westport, New Zealand M5.9 57 km
Aug 16, 2013 26 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.9 143 km
Feb 10, 1990 90 km N of Amberley, New Zealand M5.7 65 km
Jan 28, 1991 27 km SSE of Westport, New Zealand M5.7 56 km
Aug 16, 2013 30 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.5 148 km
Feb 15, 1991 38 km S of Westport, New Zealand M5.4 65 km
Aug 16, 2013 25 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.4 148 km
Jan 5, 2017 36 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.4 143 km
Feb 21, 2022 36 km SW of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.2 109 km
Nov 29, 1997 22 km ENE of Nelson, New Zealand M5.2 120 km
Feb 9, 2016 79 km S of Wakefield, New Zealand M5.2 71 km
Aug 17, 2013 29 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.2 142 km
May 4, 2002 66 km W of Wakefield, New Zealand M5.2 45 km
Aug 29, 1996 74 km N of Amberley, New Zealand M5.2 84 km
Aug 16, 2013 30 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.1 143 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tsunami History

4 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 2 120 km
1913 TASMAN SEA Earthquake 1.5 m - 69 km
1922 SE. NEW ZEALAND Earthquake 0.4 m - 144 km
1855 WHARANUI Earthquake - - 146 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 58°F (15°C) 6.7 in
February 58°F (15°C) 5.0 in Warmest, Driest
March 56°F (13°C) 6.3 in
April 50°F (10°C) 7.8 in
May 45°F (7°C) 8.8 in
June 41°F (5°C) 7.8 in
July 39°F (4°C) 7.8 in Coldest
August 42°F (5°C) 6.7 in
September 45°F (7°C) 9.1 in Wettest
October 49°F (9°C) 8.4 in
November 52°F (11°C) 8.4 in
December 56°F (13°C) 9.1 in

Murchison has a seasonal temperature swing of 19°F / from 39°F in July to 58°F in February. Total annual precipitation is 91.9 inches, with September being the wettest month (9.1") and February the driest (5.0").

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Schools in Murchison

1 public schools (OpenStreetMap data).

School Level Enrollment Teachers Student/Teacher
Murchison Area School - - - -
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Restaurants in Murchison

5 restaurants within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Hampden Hotel
Panda Xpress
Rivers Cafe
The Cow Shed Restaurant
Zen’s Kitchen

Cafes in Murchison

3 cafes within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Beechwoods Cafe
Murchison Tearooms & Takeaways
Tutaki Bakery Food Truck

Gas Stations in Murchison

2 gas stations within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Mobil
RD Petroleum

Golf Courses in Murchison

1 golf courses within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Murchison Golf Course

Ski Resorts Near Murchison

2 ski resorts within range.

Resort Slopes (km) Lifts Peak (m) Price Season Night Park
Hanmer Springs Ski Area 0.0 - - $0 - - -
Rainbow Ski Area 0.0 - - $0 - - -

Airports Near Murchison

4 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
Karamea Airport-Small Airport
Lake Station Airport-Small Airport
Motueka AirportMZPSmall Airport
Murchison Airport-Small Airport

Churches & Religious Organizations in Murchison

3 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).

NameAddress
Saint John's Methodist Church
Saint Pauls Anglican Church
Saint Peter Chapel

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Waterfalls
8
Natural waterfalls documented by USGS and OpenStreetMap contributors
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Waterfalls Near Murchison

8 waterfalls from OpenStreetMap and USGS geographic data found near Murchison.

Name Description
Ariki Falls
Lutins Pool
Maruia Falls Height: 5
Saint Ronans Well Height: 5.0
Saxon Falls
Travers Falls Height: 15.0
Waterfall Yulia
Whisky Falls

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 Murchison

What is the population of Murchison?

Murchison has a population of 500 residents and is located in New Zealand. The population density is 298 people per square mile, spread across 1.7 square miles.

What is the weather like in Murchison?

Murchison has a four-season climate with an average annual temperature of 49°F (10°C). Winter temperatures average 58°F in January, while summers reach an average of 39°F in July. Annual rainfall totals 91.9 inches.

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