Sockburn, New Zealand
Canterbury · New Zealand
Sockburn is a small town in Canterbury, New Zealand with a population of 4,580. Elevation: 79 ft (24 m). Average temperature: 54°F (12°C).
Population source: Wikidata (dated census and official estimates), GeoNames. Climate: WorldClim 2.1 normals (1970-2000), NASA POWER. Updated August 2026
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About Sockburn
Sockburn is an industrial suburb of Christchurch, New Zealand, located between Hornby and Riccarton, some 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) west of the Christchurch city centre. The suburb is roughly bounded by the triangle formed by State Highway 1 in the west, Main South Road (SH73a) in the south and SH73 in the north. The suburb of Wigram, containing the city's former RNZAF base, is located nearby. One of the city's main horseracing circuits, Riccarton Racecourse, is located close to Sockburn's northern edge, and Racecourse was the initial name for the area. The name Sockburn is likely to have come from the village of Sockburn in County Durham, England.
People
Climate
| Population | 4,580 |
| Population Density | 29 / sq mi |
| Elevation | 79 ft (24 m) |
| Coordinates | -43.5326°, 172.5573° |
| Timezone | Pacific/Auckland |
| Country | 🇳🇿 New Zealand |
| State / Province | Canterbury |
| Average Temperature | 54°F (12°C) |
| January Average | 63°F (17°C) |
| July Average | 45°F (7°C) |
| Annual Precipitation | 34.2 inches (869 mm) |
| Annual Snowfall | 1.1 inches (3 cm) |
About Sockburn
Sockburn is a small town in New Zealand (Canterbury) with a population of 4,580. The city sits at an elevation of 79 feet (24 meters) above sea level. The average annual temperature is 54°F (12°C). Temperatures range from 63°F in January to 45°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 34.2 inches. The timezone is Pacific/Auckland.
Climate in Sockburn
Sockburn has an average annual temperature of 11.6°C (53°F). The hottest month is Jan (17°C), the coldest is Jul (5.9°C). Average annual precipitation is 604 mm.
Temperature
| Annual Average | 54.3°F |
| 1% above New Zealand avg | |
| January Average | 63°F (17°C) |
| July Average | 45°F (7°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 79 ft (24 m) |
| Area | 155.6 sq mi (403.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 29/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 43.5326°S, 172.5573°E |
| Timezone | Pacific/Auckland |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Tsunami History
6 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 6.5 m (21 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 2016 | OFF EAST COAST OF SOUTH ISLAND | Earthquake | 6.5 m | 2 | 97 km |
| 1895 | PIEGON BAY | Meteorological | 5.0 m | - | 33 km |
| 1881 | PIGEON BAY (BANKS PENINSULA) | Earthquake | 3.0 m | - | 33 km |
| 1856 | S CANTERBURY PROVINCE, SOUTH ISLAND | Unknown | 1.0 m | - | 69 km |
| 1922 | SE. NEW ZEALAND | Earthquake | 0.4 m | - | 69 km |
| 1978 | OFF EAST COAST OF SOUTH ISLAND | Meteorological | - | - | 60 km |
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 63°F (17°C) | 2.2 in | Warmest |
| February | 62°F (17°C) | 1.9 in | Driest |
| March | 59°F (15°C) | 2.5 in | |
| April | 55°F (13°C) | 2.6 in | |
| May | 49°F (9°C) | 2.6 in | |
| June | 44°F (7°C) | 3.2 in | Coldest |
| July | 45°F (7°C) | 3.9 in | Wettest |
| August | 46°F (8°C) | 3.5 in | |
| September | 49°F (10°C) | 2.0 in | |
| October | 53°F (12°C) | 2.6 in | |
| November | 56°F (14°C) | 2.1 in | |
| December | 60°F (16°C) | 2.1 in |
Sockburn has a seasonal temperature swing of 19°F / from 44°F in June to 63°F in January. Total annual precipitation is 31.0 inches, with July being the wettest month (3.9") and February the driest (1.9").
Schools in Sockburn
5 public schools (OpenStreetMap data).
| School | Level | Enrollment | Teachers | Student/Teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Te Kāpehu Riccarton School | - | - | - | - |
| Avonhead School | - | - | - | - |
| Saint Thomas of Canterbury College | - | - | - | - |
| Our Lady of Victories School | - | - | - | - |
| Riccarton High School | - | - | - | - |
Radio Stations near Sockburn
9 stations within ~55 km.
| Station | Genre | Quality | |
|---|---|---|---|
| RDU 98.5FM | - | MP3 128 kbps | |
| 3ABN Christian Radio | bible teaching, christian | AAC+ 56 kbps | |
| Anthemz | - | AAC 130 kbps | |
| Akaroa World Radio | easy listening | AAC | |
| XS80s | 1980's, 1980s | MP3 128 kbps | |
| Dave FM | 70s, 80s | MP3 128 kbps | |
| Power Hit FM 87.8 - Christchurch, NZ | pop music, top 40 | AAC+ 64 kbps | |
| 8K.NZ | eclectic, independent | MP3 192 kbps | |
| RDU | alternative | MP3 128 kbps |
Museums in Sockburn
| Name | Type | Address | Phone | Annual Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Force Museum | ||||
| Canterbury Museum Pop-Up | ||||
| Craft Station | ||||
| Godley Head Heritage Trust Museum | ||||
| Matuku Takotako: Sumner Centre | ||||
| Mike Pero's Motorcycle Gallery | ||||
| New Brighton Museum | ||||
| Ngaio Marsh House | ||||
| Our City O-Tautahi | ||||
| Pioneer Hall | ||||
| Quake City | ||||
| Rangiora Museum | ||||
| Rutherford's Den | ||||
| Steam Scene Museum | ||||
| Te Ūaka The Lyttelton Museum | ||||
| Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities | ||||
| The Central Art Gallery | ||||
| The Whare | ||||
| Thornycroft Torpedo Boat Museum | ||||
| Yaldhurst Museum |
Libraries in Sockburn
| Name | Address | Staff | Annual Visits | Circulation | Collection | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARA Library | 0.0 | |||||
| ARA Library | 0.0 | |||||
| Aranui Library | 0.0 | |||||
| Book Discussion Scheme | 0.0 | |||||
| Central Library - Te Puna Mātauraka o Waitaha | 0.0 | |||||
| Central Library - Te Puna Mātauraka o Waitaha | 0.0 | |||||
| Diamond Harbour Library | 0.0 | |||||
| Engineering and Physical Sciences Library | 0.0 | |||||
| Fendalton Library | 0.0 | |||||
| Heathcote Valley Community Library | 0.0 | |||||
| Heathcote Valley Community Library | 0.0 | |||||
| Hornby Centre | 0.0 | |||||
| Ivey Hall | 0.0 | |||||
| Lincoln Library | 0.0 | |||||
| Linwood Library | 0.0 | |||||
| Linwood Library | 0.0 | |||||
| Little River Library | 0.0 | |||||
| Lyttelton Library | 0.0 | |||||
| Macmillan Brown Library | 0.0 | |||||
| Matatiki: Hornby Centre | 0.0 | |||||
| New Brighton Library | 0.0 | |||||
| Opawa Public Library | 0.0 | |||||
| Ōrauwhata: Bishopdale Library and Community Centre | 0.0 | |||||
| Papanui Library | 0.0 | |||||
| Parklands Library | 0.0 | |||||
| Rangiora Public Library | 0.0 | |||||
| Redcliff Village Library | 0.0 | |||||
| Redwood Library | 0.0 | |||||
| Redwood Library | 0.0 | |||||
| Saint Martins Library | 0.0 | |||||
| Saint Martins Library | 0.0 | |||||
| Selwyn Huts community library | 0.0 | |||||
| Shirley Library | 0.0 | |||||
| Spreydon Library | 0.0 | |||||
| Tai Tapu Library | 0.0 | |||||
| Te Ara Atea | 0.0 | |||||
| Te Ara Atea (Rolleston Library) | 0.0 | |||||
| Toy Library | 0.0 | |||||
| Tūranga (Christchurch Central Library) | 0.0 | |||||
| Upper Riccarton Community and School Library | 0.0 |
Farmers Markets in Sockburn
| Name | Address | Season | Hours | Organic | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christchurch Farmers' Market | |||||
| Christchurch Night Market — Ferrymead | |||||
| Lincoln Saturday Market | |||||
| Lyttleton Farmers Market | |||||
| Rangiora Produce Market Ltd | |||||
| Riccarton Rotary Market | |||||
| Riverside Market | |||||
| Small farmers market | |||||
| South Christchurch Farmers' Market | |||||
| The Provedore |
Hotels in Sockburn
1 hotels within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Restaurants in Sockburn
5 restaurants within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Cafes in Sockburn
2 cafes within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Gas Stations in Sockburn
3 gas stations within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Shopping Malls in Sockburn
1 shopping malls within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Stadiums & Teams in Sockburn
| Team | League | Division |
|---|---|---|
Airports Near Sockburn
10 airports within the area.
| Airport | IATA | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Christchurch International Airport | CHC | Large Airport |
| Dunsandel | - | Small Airport |
| Fernside Fields Airpark | - | Small Airport |
| Forest Field Aerodrome | - | Small Airport |
| Kings (Ladbrooks) | - | Small Airport |
| Rangiora Airfield | - | Small Airport |
| Springfield Airport | - | Small Airport |
| Taitapu Ag strip | - | Small Airport |
| West Melton Aerodrome | - | Small Airport |
| Worthy Lodge airstrip (Ladbrooks) | - | Small Airport |
Post Offices in Sockburn
2 post offices.
| Post Office | Address |
|---|---|
| Aramex Christchurch | |
| Coach Corner |
Treatment Centers in Sockburn
16 treatment centers.
| Center | Type | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| 24 Hour Surgery | ||
| ARA Health Centre | ||
| Cashel Health Centre | ||
| Christchurch PsychMed | ||
| Ear Health Riccarton | ||
| Etu Pasifika | ||
| High Street City Health | ||
| Ilam Medical Centre | ||
| Maui Clinic | ||
| Pegasus Primary Mental Health Services | ||
| Rodger Wright Centre | ||
| Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa | ||
| Straven Medical | ||
| The Merivale Clinic | ||
| Triton Hearing Clinic, St Albans | ||
| Urology Associates |
Churches & Religious Organizations in Sockburn
2 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Active Church / Westside Apostolic Church | |
| Our Lady of Victories Parish |
Quick Facts
🇳🇿 About New Zealand
Public Holidays in New Zealand
23 public holidays this year
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Get ReportFrequently Asked Questions About Sockburn
What is the population of Sockburn?
Sockburn has a population of 4,580 residents and is located in New Zealand. The population density is 29 people per square mile, spread across 155.6 square miles.
What is the weather like in Sockburn?
Sockburn has a four-season climate with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winter temperatures average 63°F in January, while summers reach an average of 45°F in July. Annual rainfall totals 34.2 inches, with 1.1 inches of snow.
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