Sumner, New Zealand

Full City Profile

2.6 /5.0

C+ Fair

3,519 Population 1,235/sq mi density

20 ft Elevation 6 meters

53°F Avg Temperature 12°C

C+

Overall

2.6 / 5.0

Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education

Economy

3.2 / 5.0

$30,300 median income, 2.4% unemployment

Affordability

2.0 / 5.0

$249,600 home value, $1,248/mo rent

Sumner experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winters average 62°F in January while summers reach 44°F in July. The area gets 273 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 34.8 inches. The area receives 0.0 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

62°F Jan (17°C) 44°F Jul (6°C)

Annual Average	52.7°F
	2% below US avg
January Average	62°F (17°C)
July Average	44°F (6°C)
Sunny Days	273 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	20 ft (6 m)
Area	2.9 sq mi (7.4 km²)
Population Density	1,235/sq mi
Coordinates	-43.5683°N, 172.7601°W
Timezone	Pacific/Auckland

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 34.8"

9% below US avg

Snowfall 0.0"

Wettest Month (Aug) 4.21"

Driest Month (Feb) 2.05"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

668 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M7.0. Most recent: M3.0 on Aug 30, 2025.

Sep 3, 2010	19 km NE of Methven, New Zealand	M7.0	75 km
Jun 18, 1994	56 km NW of Oxford, New Zealand	M6.8	112 km
Nov 24, 1995	47 km NW of Oxford, New Zealand	M6.2	102 km
Feb 21, 2011	6 km SE of Christchurch, New Zealand	M6.1	7 km
Jun 19, 1994	40 km N of Methven, New Zealand	M6.0	98 km
Feb 10, 1990	90 km N of Amberley, New Zealand	M6.0	136 km
Jun 13, 2011	9 km ESE of Christchurch, New Zealand	M5.9	2 km
Feb 14, 2016	12 km ENE of Christchurch, New Zealand	M5.8	10 km
Feb 10, 1990	90 km N of Amberley, New Zealand	M5.7	137 km
Jan 5, 2015	43 km SSE of Hokitika, New Zealand	M5.6	136 km
Feb 22, 2011	7 km S of Christchurch, New Zealand	M5.6	12 km
Feb 22, 2011	6 km SSE of Christchurch, New Zealand	M5.5	9 km
Mar 30, 1992	57 km NNW of Methven, New Zealand	M5.5	120 km
May 29, 1995	South Island of New Zealand	M5.5	116 km
Sep 19, 2023	Canterbury, New Zealand	M5.5	133 km
Jun 21, 1994	47 km N of Methven, New Zealand	M5.4	102 km
Jan 1, 2012	21 km ENE of Christchurch, New Zealand	M5.2	14 km
Jun 21, 2011	1 km SSE of Prebbleton, New Zealand	M5.2	19 km
Jun 13, 2011	10 km ESE of Christchurch, New Zealand	M5.2	1 km
Aug 29, 1996	74 km N of Amberley, New Zealand	M5.2	120 km

Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

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	96 km
1895	PIEGON BAY	Meteorological	5.0 m	—	17 km
1881	PIGEON BAY (BANKS PENINSULA)	Earthquake	3.0 m	—	18 km
1856	S CANTERBURY PROVINCE, SOUTH ISLAND	Unknown	1.0 m	—	78 km
1922	SE. NEW ZEALAND	Earthquake	0.4 m	—	66 km
1978	OFF EAST COAST OF SOUTH ISLAND	Meteorological	—	—	57 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	62°F (17°C)	2.2 in	Warmest
February	61°F (16°C)	2.1 in	Driest
March	59°F (15°C)	2.7 in
April	54°F (12°C)	3.6 in
May	49°F (9°C)	3.5 in
June	44°F (7°C)	3.7 in
July	44°F (6°C)	3.9 in	Coldest
August	45°F (7°C)	4.2 in	Wettest
September	49°F (9°C)	2.1 in
October	52°F (11°C)	2.6 in
November	56°F (13°C)	2.2 in
December	59°F (15°C)	2.2 in

Sumner has a seasonal temperature swing of 18°F / from 44°F in July to 62°F in January. Total annual precipitation is 34.8 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.2") and February the driest (2.1").

View full weather details →