Papatowai, New Zealand

Otago · New Zealand

Papatowai is a small city in Otago, New Zealand with a population of 6,593. Elevation: 82 ft (25 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

6,593 Population
82 ft Elevation 25 meters
50°F Avg Temperature 10°C
41.0 in Annual Rain
Pacific / Auckland Timezone

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About Papatowai



Papatowai is a small settlement in the Catlins ward of the Clutha District of the southeastern South Island of New Zealand. The settlement is situated half-way between the cities of Dunedin and Invercargill, on the Pacific coast close to the mouth of the Tahakopa River. There is a permanent population of around 40 people, but with most of the houses in the town being holiday homes the population rises significantly during holiday seasons, particularly around New Year's Day and Easter.

People

Population6,593

Climate

Avg Temp50°F (10°C)
Rain41.0 in/yr
Elevation82 ft (25 m)
Population6,593
Elevation82 ft (25 m)
Coordinates-46.5607°, 169.4707°
TimezonePacific/Auckland
Country🇳🇿 New Zealand
State / ProvinceOtago
Average Temperature50°F (10°C)
January Average57°F (14°C)
July Average42°F (6°C)
Annual Precipitation41.0 inches (1,042 mm)
Annual Snowfall0.0 inches (0 cm)

About Papatowai

Papatowai is a small city in New Zealand (Otago) with a population of 6,593. The city sits at an elevation of 82 feet (25 meters) above sea level. The average annual temperature is 50°F (10°C). Temperatures range from 57°F in January to 42°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 41.0 inches. The timezone is Pacific/Auckland.

Papatowai experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 57°F in January while summers reach 42°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. Annual precipitation totals 41.0 inches. The city sits at an elevation of 82 feet.

Temperature

57°F Jan (14°C) 42°F Jul (6°C)
Annual Average49.7°F
8% below New Zealand avg
January Average57°F (14°C)
July Average42°F (6°C)

Geography

Elevation82 ft (25 m)
Coordinates46.5607°S, 169.4707°E
TimezonePacific/Auckland

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 41.0"
8% above New Zealand avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (May) 4.57"
Driest Month (Aug) 2.36"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

8 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M4.5. Most recent: M4.4 on Mar 17, 2020.

Oct 12, 2000 15 km N of Papatowai, New Zealand M4.5 16 km
Apr 14, 2009 29 km NW of Riverton, New Zealand M4.5 138 km
Mar 17, 2020 70 km S of Papatowai, New Zealand M4.4 71 km
Jun 1, 2015 33 km WNW of Dunedin, New Zealand M4.3 105 km
Feb 6, 2011 19 km NNW of Papatowai, New Zealand M4.1 20 km
May 3, 1994 24 km S of Dunedin, New Zealand M3.8 92 km
Jun 30, 2003 64 km SSE of Cromwell, New Zealand M3.8 113 km
May 10, 2004 16 km WNW of Papatowai, New Zealand M3.7 17 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tsunami History

1 tsunami recorded within 500 km.

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
1839 WAIKAWA, SOUTHLAND Unknown - - 27 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 57°F (14°C) 3.9 in Warmest
February 57°F (14°C) 2.5 in
March 55°F (13°C) 3.6 in
April 51°F (10°C) 3.4 in
May 46°F (8°C) 4.6 in Wettest
June 43°F (6°C) 3.7 in
July 42°F (6°C) 3.2 in Coldest
August 44°F (6°C) 2.4 in Driest
September 47°F (8°C) 3.0 in
October 49°F (10°C) 3.6 in
November 52°F (11°C) 3.4 in
December 55°F (13°C) 3.9 in

Papatowai has a seasonal temperature swing of 15°F / from 42°F in July to 57°F in January. Total annual precipitation is 41.0 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.6") and August the driest (2.4").

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Schools in Papatowai

1 public schools (OpenStreetMap data).

School Level Enrollment Teachers Student/Teacher
Tahakopa School - - - -
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Museums in Papatowai

NameTypeAddressPhoneAnnual Revenue
Owaka Museum

Hotels in Papatowai

1 hotels within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Catlins Woodstock Lodge & Camp

Restaurants in Papatowai

1 restaurants within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Peake's Kitchen

Cafes in Papatowai

1 cafes within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Whistling Frog Cafe

Gas Stations in Papatowai

1 gas stations within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

McKeown Papatowai

Golf Courses in Papatowai

1 golf courses within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Ōwaka Golf Club

Airports Near Papatowai

4 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
Dunedin International AirportDUDMedium Airport
Balclutha Aerodrome-Small Airport
Gore3 Airport-Small Airport
Mandeville Aerodrome-Small Airport

Explore Near Papatowai

Waterfalls
16
Natural waterfalls documented by USGS and OpenStreetMap contributors
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Waterfalls Near Papatowai

16 waterfalls from OpenStreetMap and USGS geographic data found near Papatowai.

Name Description
Barrs Falls
Brides Veil or Hairora Falls
Helena Falls
Horseshoe Falls
Koropuku Falls Height: 11
Langer Falls
Leckie Falls
Maclennan Falls
Margaret Falls
Masons Apron Falls
Matai Falls
McLean Falls
Paharere Falls
Purakaunui Falls
Tawhiti Falls
The Shute

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 Papatowai

What is the population of Papatowai?

Papatowai has a population of 6,593 residents and is located in New Zealand..

What is the weather like in Papatowai?

Papatowai has a four-season climate with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winter temperatures average 57°F in January, while summers reach an average of 42°F in July. Annual rainfall totals 41.0 inches.

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