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Riwaka, New Zealand

Tasman District · New Zealand

Riwaka is a small town in Tasman District, New Zealand with a population of 986. Elevation: 30 ft (9 m). Average temperature: 55°F (13°C).

3.8 /5.0
B+ Good
986 Population 0/sq mi density
30 ft Elevation 9 meters
55°F Avg Temperature 13°C
49.3 in Annual Rain
Pacific / Auckland Timezone
$48,800 Median Income
B+
Overall
3.8 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.2 / 5.0
$48,800 median income, 5.1% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.4 / 5.0
$197,600 home value, $988/mo rent

Discover Riwaka, 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

People

Population986
Median Age37.2 yrs
Density0/mi²

Economy

B
Median Income$48,800
Per Capita$49,076
Unemployment5.1%

Housing

A
Home Value$197,600
Rent$988
Ownership64.5%
Housing Units394

Climate

Avg Temp55°F (13°C)
Rain49.3 in/yr
Sunny Days246/yr
Elevation30 ft (9 m)
Population986
Population Density0 / sq mi
Elevation30 ft (9 m)
Coordinates-41.0833°, 173.0000°
TimezonePacific/Auckland
Country🇳🇿 New Zealand
State / ProvinceTasman District
Average Temperature55°F (13°C)
January Average64°F (18°C)
July Average46°F (8°C)
Annual Precipitation49.3 inches (1,253 mm)
Annual Snowfall0.0 inches (0 cm)
Median Household Income$48,800
Median Age37.2 years

About Riwaka

Riwaka is a small town in New Zealand (Tasman District) with a population of 986. The city sits at an elevation of 30 feet (9 meters) above sea level. The average annual temperature is 55°F (13°C). Temperatures range from 64°F in January to 46°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 49.3 inches. The timezone is Pacific/Auckland.

Riwaka has a population of 986 with a density of 0 people per square mile, spread across 5,287.6 square miles. The median age is 37.2 years, 4% younger than the national median of 38.9.

Population

986
Total Population
0
People / sq mi
37.2yrs
Median Age
4% below New Zealand avg
5,287.6mi²
Land Area

Language Spoken at Home

Other Languages 100.0%

Social Characteristics

Riwaka vs New Zealand Average

The median household income in Riwaka is $48,800, which is 35% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $49,076 (above the $39,052 national figure). The average weekly wage is $944, 34% lower than the U.S. average. The unemployment rate is 5.1% (above the 3.6% US average). The area has 91 business establishments.

Income: Riwaka vs New Zealand

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$48,800
35% below New Zealand avg
Per Capita Income$49,076
Avg Weekly Wage$944

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.1%
41% above New Zealand avg
Establishments (County)91

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Walkability

The median home value in Riwaka is $197,600, 30% below the national median of $281,900. Monthly rent averages $988 (15% below the national average of $1,163). 64.5% of housing units are owner-occupied. There are 394 total housing units in the city. The home price-to-income ratio is 4x.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$197,600
30% below New Zealand avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$988
15% below New Zealand avg

Ownership & Property

Homeownership64.5%
Owner-Occupied64.5%
Renter-Occupied35.5%
Housing Units394

Property Tax

Riwaka experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 64°F in January while summers reach 46°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 246 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 49.3 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 30 feet, near sea level.

Temperature

64°F Jan (18°C) 46°F Jul (8°C)
Annual Average55.2°F
2% above New Zealand avg
January Average64°F (18°C)
July Average46°F (8°C)
Sunny Days246 days/yr

Geography

Elevation30 ft (9 m)
Area5,287.6 sq mi (13,694.8 km²)
Population Density0/sq mi
Coordinates-41.0833°N, 173.0000°W
TimezonePacific/Auckland

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 49.3"
30% above New Zealand avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Aug) 6.65"
Driest Month (Feb) 2.52"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

911 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 M6.5 120 km
Jul 21, 2013 38 km ESE of Blenheim, New Zealand M6.5 131 km
Jul 3, 2012 63 km S of Opunake, New Zealand M6.3 134 km
Apr 24, 2015 73 km S of Wakefield, New Zealand M6.1 109 km
Feb 10, 1990 90 km N of Amberley, New Zealand M6.0 141 km
May 27, 1992 21 km WSW of Blenheim, New Zealand M6.0 85 km
Jan 28, 1991 29 km SSE of Westport, New Zealand M5.9 149 km
Jul 20, 2013 38 km ESE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.9 131 km
Aug 16, 2013 30 km ESE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.9 124 km
Aug 16, 2013 26 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.9 114 km
Mar 22, 1995 27 km N of Picton, New Zealand M5.8 86 km
Jan 28, 1991 27 km SSE of Westport, New Zealand M5.7 148 km
Feb 10, 1990 90 km N of Amberley, New Zealand M5.7 145 km
Feb 15, 2023 55 km NW of Raumati Beach, New Zealand M5.7 142 km
Jul 18, 2013 38 km E of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.5 129 km
Aug 16, 2013 30 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.5 120 km
Jan 5, 2017 36 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.4 122 km
Jul 15, 2009 83 km SSW of Opunake, New Zealand M5.4 113 km
Aug 16, 2013 25 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.4 116 km
Mar 13, 2005 83 km SSW of Opunake, New Zealand M5.4 112 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Tsunami History

5 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 3.0 m (10 ft).

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
1868 NEW ZEALAND Earthquake 3.0 m 98 km
1913 TASMAN SEA Earthquake 1.5 m 148 km
2013 WELLINGTON Earthquake 0.1 m 120 km
2013 COOK STRAIT Earthquake 0.1 m 131 km
1855 WHARANUI Earthquake 131 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 64°F (18°C) 3.4 in
February 64°F (18°C) 2.5 in Warmest, Driest
March 62°F (16°C) 3.4 in
April 56°F (14°C) 4.4 in
May 51°F (11°C) 4.6 in
June 47°F (8°C) 4.7 in
July 46°F (8°C) 5.3 in Coldest
August 48°F (9°C) 6.7 in Wettest
September 51°F (11°C) 3.9 in
October 55°F (13°C) 3.7 in
November 58°F (14°C) 3.7 in
December 61°F (16°C) 3.2 in

Riwaka has a seasonal temperature swing of 18°F / from 46°F in July to 64°F in February. Total annual precipitation is 49.3 inches, with August being the wettest month (6.7") and February the driest (2.5").

View full weather details →

Schools in Riwaka

3 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).

School Level Enrollment Teachers Student/Teacher
Riwaka School
Brooklyn School
Montessori Horizon Preschool
View full schools details →

Radio Stations near Riwaka

2 stations within ~55 km.

Station Genre Quality
Brian FM 105.6 Nelson NZ AAC 128 kbps
BeachFM 106.3 00s, 60s MP3 192 kbps

Museums in Riwaka

NameTypeAddressPhoneAnnual Revenue
Golden Bay Museum
Maritime museum
Motueka Museum
Nelson Classic Car Museum

Libraries in Riwaka

NameAddressStaffAnnual VisitsCirculationCollectionPrograms
Mapua Community Library0.0
Mapua Library0.0
Motueka Library0.0
Nightingale Library Tāhunanui0.0
Stoke Library0.0
Tākaka Public Library0.0

Hotels in Riwaka

3 hotels within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Kimi Ora Spa Resort
Nautilus Lodge Motel
Ocean view chalets

Restaurants in Riwaka

5 restaurants within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Beached Whale
Hooked
Park Cafe
The Views
Waterfront

Cafes in Riwaka

3 cafes within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Little Dynamite
Mrs. Smiths Cafe and Vegetables
The Pie Cart

Gas Stations in Riwaka

3 gas stations within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Allied
Challenge
npd

Airports Near Riwaka

5 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
Nelson AirportNSNMedium Airport
Lake Station AirportSmall Airport
Motueka AirportMZPSmall Airport
Murchison AirportSmall Airport
Takaka AirportKTFSmall Airport

Churches & Religious Organizations in Riwaka

3 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).

NameAddress
Riwaka Church
Saint Andrew's Uniting Church
Victory Christian Church

Explore Near Riwaka

Waterfalls
3
Natural waterfalls documented by USGS and OpenStreetMap contributors
View all →

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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Get a comprehensive, print-ready PDF with all data for Riwaka.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Riwaka

What is the population of Riwaka?

Riwaka has a population of 986 residents and is located in New Zealand. The population density is 0 people per square mile, spread across 5,287.6 square miles. The median age of residents is 37.2 years.

Is Riwaka expensive to live in?

The median household income is $48,800, 35% below the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $197,600 (30% below the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $988 per month, below the national average of $1,163. The home price-to-income ratio is 4x, indicating housing is reasonably affordable relative to local income levels.

What is the weather like in Riwaka?

Riwaka has a four-season climate with an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winter temperatures average 64°F in January, while summers reach an average of 46°F in July. The area receives 246 sunny days per year. Annual rainfall totals 49.3 inches.

How is the job market in Riwaka?

The unemployment rate in Riwaka is 5.1%, somewhat above the national average of 3.6%. Job seekers may face moderate competition. The average weekly wage is $944. There are 91 business establishments in the area.

How much does housing cost in Riwaka?

The median home value in Riwaka is $197,600. For renters, the median monthly rent is $988. The homeownership rate is 64.5%.

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