Sawyers Bay, New Zealand

Otago · New Zealand

Sawyers Bay is a small town in Otago, New Zealand with a population of 1,095. Elevation: 79 ft (24 m). Average temperature: 53°F (12°C).

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

1,095 Population 5/sq mi density
79 ft Elevation 24 meters
53°F Avg Temperature 12°C
34.8 in Annual Rain
Pacific / Auckland Timezone

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About Sawyers Bay

Sawyers Bay

Sawyers Bay is a suburb of the New Zealand city of Dunedin. It is located 1.5 kilometres (0.93 mi) to the southwest of Port Chalmers in a wide valley on the shore of Mussel Bay, 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) to the northeast of Dunedin city centre.

People

Population1,095
Density5/mi²

Climate

Avg Temp53°F (12°C)
Rain34.8 in/yr
Elevation79 ft (24 m)
Population1,095
Population Density5 / sq mi
Elevation79 ft (24 m)
Coordinates-45.8184°, 170.6001°
TimezonePacific/Auckland
Country🇳🇿 New Zealand
State / ProvinceOtago
Average Temperature53°F (12°C)
January Average62°F (17°C)
July Average45°F (7°C)
Annual Precipitation34.8 inches (884 mm)
Annual Snowfall1.1 inches (3 cm)

About Sawyers Bay

Sawyers Bay is a small town in New Zealand (Otago) with a population of 1,095. The city sits at an elevation of 79 feet (24 meters) above sea level. The average annual temperature is 53°F (12°C). Temperatures range from 62°F in January to 45°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 34.8 inches. The timezone is Pacific/Auckland.

Sawyers Bay experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winters average 62°F in January while summers reach 45°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. Annual precipitation totals 34.8 inches. The area receives 1.1 inches of snow annually. The city sits at an elevation of 79 feet.

Temperature

62°F Jan (17°C) 45°F Jul (7°C)
Annual Average52.7°F
2% below New Zealand avg
January Average62°F (17°C)
July Average45°F (7°C)

Geography

Elevation79 ft (24 m)
Area221.7 sq mi (574.3 km²)
Population Density5/sq mi
Coordinates45.8184°S, 170.6001°E
TimezonePacific/Auckland

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 34.8"
8% below New Zealand avg
Snowfall 1.1"
Wettest Month (Mar) 3.46"
Driest Month (Sep) 2.24"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

14 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M4.8. Most recent: M3.3 on Jul 25, 2022.

Feb 8, 1998 42 km WNW of Oamaru, New Zealand M4.8 95 km
Oct 12, 2000 15 km N of Papatowai, New Zealand M4.5 107 km
Feb 11, 2004 68 km WSW of Oamaru, New Zealand M4.5 74 km
Jun 1, 2015 33 km WNW of Dunedin, New Zealand M4.3 38 km
May 21, 1999 62 km ENE of Wanaka, New Zealand M4.3 148 km
Feb 6, 2011 19 km NNW of Papatowai, New Zealand M4.1 112 km
Jul 1, 2017 6 km NE of Cromwell, New Zealand M4.1 139 km
Oct 21, 2000 36 km ESE of Oamaru, New Zealand M4.0 85 km
May 3, 1994 24 km S of Dunedin, New Zealand M3.8 33 km
Jun 30, 2003 64 km SSE of Cromwell, New Zealand M3.8 83 km
May 10, 2004 16 km WNW of Papatowai, New Zealand M3.7 129 km
Feb 24, 2006 45 km NE of Portobello, New Zealand M3.7 45 km
Jul 25, 2022 3 km ESE of Cromwell, New Zealand M3.3 136 km
Jul 17, 2022 4 km SE of Cromwell, New Zealand M2.9 135 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 - - 145 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 62°F (17°C) 3.2 in Warmest
February 57°F (14°C) 2.4 in
March 55°F (13°C) 3.5 in Wettest
April 51°F (11°C) 2.6 in
May 46°F (8°C) 2.9 in
June 43°F (6°C) 2.4 in Coldest
July 45°F (7°C) 2.6 in
August 43°F (6°C) 2.5 in
September 46°F (8°C) 2.2 in Driest
October 49°F (10°C) 3.0 in
November 52°F (11°C) 3.0 in
December 55°F (13°C) 3.2 in

Sawyers Bay has a seasonal temperature swing of 20°F / from 43°F in June to 62°F in January. Total annual precipitation is 33.3 inches, with March being the wettest month (3.5") and September the driest (2.2").

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Schools in Sawyers Bay

1 public schools (OpenStreetMap data).

School Level Enrollment Teachers Student/Teacher
Sawyers Bay School - - - -
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Radio Stations near Sawyers Bay

2 stations within ~55 km.

Station Genre Quality
Radio One 91FM community radio, disco MP3 128 kbps
Kiwi Folk Radio folk, local MP3 128 kbps

Museums in Sawyers Bay

NameTypeAddressPhoneAnnual Revenue
Dunedin Gasworks Museum
Dunedin Museum of Natural Mystery
Dunedin Public Art Gallery & Museum
Fort Taiaroa
Geology Museum
New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame
Olveston Historic Home
Otago Museum
Port Chalmers Maritime Museum
The Dunedin Museum of Natural Mystery
Toitū Otago Settlers Museum
Waikouaiti Coast Heritage Centre

Libraries in Sawyers Bay

NameAddressStaffAnnual VisitsCirculationCollectionPrograms
Archives New Zealand0.0
Black Star Books0.0
Blueskin Bay Library0.0
Dunedin Public Library0.0
Hocken Collections0.0
L Block0.0
Northcroft Library and Study Centre0.0
South Dunedin Community Library0.0
University of Otago Library0.0
Waikouaiti Library0.0

Farmers Markets in Sawyers Bay

NameAddressSeasonHoursOrganicWebsite
Otago Farmer's Market

Gas Stations in Sawyers Bay

1 gas stations within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

McKeown CardFuel 24/7

Golf Courses in Sawyers Bay

1 golf courses within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Port Chalmers Golf Course

Breweries in Sawyers Bay

NameTypeAddressPhoneWebsite
Steamer Basin

Stadiums & Teams in Sawyers Bay

TeamLeagueDivision

Airports Near Sawyers Bay

2 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
Dunedin International AirportDUDMedium Airport
Taieri Aerodrome-Small Airport

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 Sawyers Bay

What is the population of Sawyers Bay?

Sawyers Bay has a population of 1,095 residents and is located in New Zealand. The population density is 5 people per square mile, spread across 221.7 square miles.

What is the weather like in Sawyers Bay?

Sawyers Bay has a four-season climate with an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winter temperatures average 62°F in January, while summers reach an average of 45°F in July. Annual rainfall totals 34.8 inches, with 1.1 inches of snow.

Nearby Cities

Port Chalmers, F7 1,460 pop · 1.0 mi Portobello, F7 1,155 pop · 3.2 mi Macandrew Bay, F7 1,670 pop · 3.3 mi North East Valley, F7 9,830 pop · 3.9 mi Pine Hill, F7 2,460 pop · 4.1 mi Ravensbourne, F7 1,209 pop · 4.1 mi Opoho, F7 1,310 pop · 4.4 mi Waverley, F7 2,780 pop · 5.3 mi Shiel Hill, F7 1,830 pop · 5.9 mi Maori Hill, F7 2,620 pop · 6.0 mi Dunedin, F7 106,200 pop · 6.0 mi Wakari, F7 4,410 pop · 6.1 mi Andersons Bay, F7 2,530 pop · 6.3 mi Roslyn, F7 3,020 pop · 6.5 mi
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