Otatara, New Zealand

Full City Profile

3.0 /5.0

B Good

3,460 Population 18/sq mi density

52 ft Elevation 16 meters

52°F Avg Temperature 11°C

Overall

3.0 / 5.0

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

Economy

3.3 / 5.0

$33,840 median income, 1.7% unemployment

C+

Affordability

2.8 / 5.0

$234,000 home value, $1,170/mo rent

Otatara experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 61°F in January while summers reach 45°F in July. The area gets 271 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 46.4 inches. The area receives 3.0 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

61°F Jan (16°C) 45°F Jul (7°C)

Annual Average	51.8°F
	4% below US avg
January Average	61°F (16°C)
July Average	45°F (7°C)
Sunny Days	271 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	52 ft (16 m)
Area	189.6 sq mi (491.0 km²)
Population Density	18/sq mi
Coordinates	-46.4333°N, 168.3000°W
Timezone	Pacific/Auckland

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 46.4"

22% above US avg

Snowfall 3.0"

Wettest Month (May) 4.25"

Driest Month (Nov) 2.32"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

92 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M5.6. Most recent: M4.4 on Jan 1, 2025.

Sep 30, 2003	53 km W of Te Anau, New Zealand	M5.6	143 km
Aug 21, 2003	25 km NNW of Te Anau, New Zealand	M5.1	147 km
Jul 12, 2008	85 km WSW of Te Anau, New Zealand	M5.1	135 km
Feb 28, 2010	48 km WSW of Te Anau, New Zealand	M5.1	128 km
Apr 25, 2000	35 km WNW of Te Anau, New Zealand	M5.0	144 km
Jul 15, 2009	54 km WSW of Te Anau, New Zealand	M4.9	141 km
Aug 30, 2009	80 km WSW of Te Anau, New Zealand	M4.9	149 km
Jul 15, 2009	77 km SW of Te Anau, New Zealand	M4.9	117 km
Feb 21, 2007	38 km WNW of Te Anau, New Zealand	M4.8	149 km
Jul 15, 2009	82 km WNW of Riverton, New Zealand	M4.8	106 km
May 11, 2012	61 km WNW of Riverton, New Zealand	M4.7	85 km
Jan 13, 2015	49 km WSW of Te Anau, New Zealand	M4.7	134 km
Apr 25, 2005	81 km SW of Te Anau, New Zealand	M4.7	116 km
May 28, 2011	55 km WSW of Te Anau, New Zealand	M4.7	136 km
Jul 20, 2011	77 km WSW of Te Anau, New Zealand	M4.7	143 km
Aug 25, 2009	122 km W of Riverton, New Zealand	M4.6	145 km
Jul 15, 2009	95 km WSW of Te Anau, New Zealand	M4.6	147 km
Sep 30, 1991	32 km WNW of Te Anau, New Zealand	M4.6	144 km
Jul 26, 2009	119 km SW of Te Anau, New Zealand	M4.6	149 km
Apr 14, 2009	29 km NW of Riverton, New Zealand	M4.5	52 km

Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Tsunami History

2 tsunamis recorded within 500 km.

Year	Location	Cause	Max Wave	Deaths	Distance
1987	DEEP COVE	Meteorological	—	—	140 km
1839	WAIKAWA, SOUTHLAND	Unknown	—	—	67 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	61°F (16°C)	3.7 in	Warmest
February	58°F (14°C)	2.6 in
March	56°F (13°C)	3.4 in
April	52°F (11°C)	3.4 in
May	47°F (8°C)	4.3 in	Wettest
June	43°F (6°C)	3.7 in	Coldest
July	45°F (7°C)	2.8 in
August	44°F (7°C)	2.5 in
September	48°F (9°C)	2.9 in
October	51°F (10°C)	3.2 in
November	53°F (12°C)	2.3 in	Driest
December	56°F (13°C)	3.3 in

Otatara has a seasonal temperature swing of 18°F / from 43°F in June to 61°F in January. Total annual precipitation is 38.1 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.3") and November the driest (2.3").

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