Putaruru, New Zealand

Full City Profile

4,530 Population 6/sq mi density
548 ft Elevation 167 meters
53°F Avg Temperature 12°C
Putaruru experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winters average 60°F in January while summers reach 45°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 94.0 inches. The area receives 0.2 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

60°F Jan (16°C) 45°F Jul (7°C)
Annual Average52.8°F
2% below US avg
January Average60°F (16°C)
July Average45°F (7°C)

Geography

Elevation548 ft (167 m)
Area708.4 sq mi (1,834.7 km²)
Population Density6/sq mi
Coordinates38.0482°S, 175.7802°E
TimezonePacific/Auckland

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 94.0"
147% above US avg
Snowfall 0.2"
Wettest Month (Jul) 6.06"
Driest Month (Feb) 3.62"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

1,325 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M6.3. Most recent: M4.1 on Aug 5, 2025.

Dec 7, 2012 27 km SE of Tokoroa, New Zealand M6.3 49 km
Oct 25, 1999 24 km W of Taupo, New Zealand M6.2 72 km
Jun 21, 1992 31 km NNW of Whakatane, New Zealand M6.2 103 km
May 18, 1999 54 km S of Otorohanga, New Zealand M5.8 83 km
Jul 18, 2004 20 km WNW of Kawerau, New Zealand M5.6 64 km
Jan 27, 2011 21 km NNW of Taupo, New Zealand M5.6 54 km
Mar 25, 1992 28 km N of Whakatane, New Zealand M5.6 112 km
Oct 16, 2012 8 km NE of Taupo, New Zealand M5.6 74 km
Nov 16, 1991 60 km NNE of Maketu, New Zealand M5.5 121 km
Jul 5, 2011 29 km W of Taupo, New Zealand M5.5 70 km
May 24, 2001 38 km WNW of Turangi, New Zealand M5.5 97 km
Mar 23, 1999 12 km NNW of Edgecumbe, New Zealand M5.4 91 km
Sep 25, 1996 57 km ENE of Eltham, New Zealand M5.4 149 km
Mar 17, 2023 8 km WNW of Kawerau, New Zealand M5.3 73 km
Apr 8, 2006 20 km SE of Tokoroa, New Zealand M5.3 41 km
Jul 7, 2012 8 km S of Turangi, New Zealand M5.3 113 km
Aug 17, 2002 13 km W of Edgecumbe, New Zealand M5.3 80 km
Jul 12, 1991 23 km ENE of Waiouru, New Zealand M5.3 147 km
Aug 8, 2000 51 km ESE of Turangi, New Zealand M5.3 141 km
Mar 31, 1994 34 km NE of Murupara, New Zealand M5.2 112 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tsunami History

5 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 1.5 m (5 ft).

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
1910 LAKE TAUPO, NORTH ISLAND Meteorological 1.5 m 1 102 km
2022 LAKE TAUPO, NORTH ISLAND Earthquake 1.0 m - 86 km
1956 LAKE TAUPO, NORTH ISLAND Earthquake 0.9 m - 95 km
1895 LAKE TAUPO, NORTH ISLAND Eruption + Earthquake - - 86 km
1846 LAKE TAUPO, NORTH ISLAND Unknown - - 102 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Nearby Volcanoes

9 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Maroa (49 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Maroa Caldera(s) 897 m (2,943 ft) 180 49 km
Reporoa Caldera 592 m (1,942 ft) 1180 63 km
Okataina Lava dome(s) 1,111 m (3,645 ft) 1981 64 km
Taupo Caldera 760 m (2,493 ft) 260 88 km
Mayor Island Shield 355 m (1,165 ft) -5060 95 km
Tongariro Stratovolcano(es) 1,978 m (6,490 ft) 2012 124 km
Whakaari/White Island Stratovolcano(es) 294 m (965 ft) 2019 136 km
Ruapehu Stratovolcano 2,797 m (9,177 ft) 2007 138 km
Auckland Volcanic Field Volcanic field 260 m (853 ft) 1350 151 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP). Sorted by distance.

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 60°F (16°C) 3.9 in
February 65°F (18°C) 3.6 in Warmest, Driest
March 62°F (17°C) 4.4 in
April 57°F (14°C) 4.1 in
May 51°F (11°C) 4.7 in
June 47°F (8°C) 5.6 in
July 45°F (7°C) 6.1 in Coldest, Wettest
August 48°F (9°C) 5.6 in
September 51°F (11°C) 5.2 in
October 55°F (13°C) 4.5 in
November 58°F (14°C) 4.3 in
December 62°F (16°C) 5.0 in

Putaruru has a seasonal temperature swing of 20°F / from 45°F in July to 65°F in February. Total annual precipitation is 56.9 inches, with July being the wettest month (6.1") and February the driest (3.6").

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