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Temuka, New Zealand

Canterbury · New Zealand

Temuka is a small town in Canterbury, New Zealand with a population of 4,840. Elevation: 82 ft (25 m). Average temperature: 52°F (11°C).

Data updated June 2026

2.7 /5.0
C+ Fair
4,840 Population 2/sq mi density
82 ft Elevation 25 meters
52°F Avg Temperature 11°C
25.3 in Annual Rain
Pacific / Auckland Timezone
$23,040 Median Income
C+
Overall
2.7 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.0 / 5.0
$23,040 median income, 3.1% unemployment
C
Affordability
2.5 / 5.0
$171,600 home value, $858/mo rent

Discover Temuka, 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

About Temuka

Temuka

Temuka is a town on New Zealand's Canterbury Plains, 15 kilometres north of Timaru and 142 km south of Christchurch. It is located at the centre of a rich sheep and dairy farming region, for which it is a service town. It lies on the north bank of the Temuka River, just above its confluence with the Ōpihi River.

People

Population4,840
Median Age43.5 yrs
Density2/mi²

Economy

B
Median Income$23,040
Per Capita$23,040
Unemployment3.1%

Housing

C
Home Value$171,600
Rent$858
Ownership81.6%
Housing Units1,936

Climate

Avg Temp52°F (11°C)
Rain25.3 in/yr
Sunny Days290/yr
Elevation82 ft (25 m)
Population4,840
Population Density2 / sq mi
Elevation82 ft (25 m)
Coordinates-44.2283°, 171.2801°
TimezonePacific/Auckland
Country🇳🇿 New Zealand
State / ProvinceCanterbury
Average Temperature52°F (11°C)
January Average61°F (16°C)
July Average42°F (6°C)
Annual Precipitation25.3 inches (642 mm)
Annual Snowfall0.0 inches (0 cm)
Median Household Income$23,040
Median Age43.5 years

About Temuka

Temuka is a small town in New Zealand (Canterbury) with a population of 4,840. The city sits at an elevation of 82 feet (25 meters) above sea level. The average annual temperature is 52°F (11°C). Temperatures range from 61°F in January to 42°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 25.3 inches. The timezone is Pacific/Auckland.

Temuka has a population of 4,840 with a density of 2 people per square mile, spread across 2,173.2 square miles. The median age is 43.5 years, 12% older than the national median of 38.9.

Population

4,840
Total Population
2
People / sq mi
43.5yrs
Median Age
12% above New Zealand avg
2,173.2mi²
Land Area

Language Spoken at Home

Other Languages 100.0%

Social Characteristics

Temuka vs New Zealand Average

The median household income in Temuka is $23,040, which is 69% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $23,040 (below the $39,052 national figure). The average weekly wage is $443, 69% lower than the U.S. average. The unemployment rate is 3.1% (below the 3.6% US average). The area has 445 business establishments.

Income: Temuka vs New Zealand

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$23,040
69% below New Zealand avg
Per Capita Income$23,040
Avg Weekly Wage$443

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.1%
14% below New Zealand avg
Establishments (County)445

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Walkability

The median home value in Temuka is $171,600, 39% below the national median of $281,900. Monthly rent averages $858 (26% below the national average of $1,163). 81.6% of housing units are owner-occupied (above the 65.4% national rate). There are 1,936 total housing units in the city. The home price-to-income ratio is 7.4x, making homeownership a significant financial stretch for most families.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$171,600
39% below New Zealand avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$858
26% below New Zealand avg

Ownership & Property

Homeownership81.6%
Owner-Occupied81.6%
Renter-Occupied18.4%
Housing Units1,936

Property Tax

Temuka experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 61°F in January while summers reach 42°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 290 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 25.3 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 82 feet.

Temperature

61°F Jan (16°C) 42°F Jul (6°C)
Annual Average52.2°F
3% below New Zealand avg
January Average61°F (16°C)
July Average42°F (6°C)
Sunny Days290 days/yr

Geography

Elevation82 ft (25 m)
Area2,173.2 sq mi (5,628.6 km²)
Population Density2/sq mi
Coordinates-44.2283°N, 171.2801°W
TimezonePacific/Auckland

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 25.3"
33% below New Zealand avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Mar) 2.52"
Driest Month (Jun) 1.57"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

595 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 90 km
Jun 18, 1994 56 km NW of Oxford, New Zealand M6.8 144 km
Nov 24, 1995 47 km NW of Oxford, New Zealand M6.2 144 km
Feb 21, 2011 6 km SE of Christchurch, New Zealand M6.1 133 km
Jun 19, 1994 40 km N of Methven, New Zealand M6.0 110 km
Jun 13, 2011 9 km ESE of Christchurch, New Zealand M5.9 139 km
Feb 14, 2016 12 km ENE of Christchurch, New Zealand M5.8 146 km
Feb 22, 2011 7 km S of Christchurch, New Zealand M5.6 128 km
Jan 5, 2015 43 km SSE of Hokitika, New Zealand M5.6 131 km
Sep 19, 2023 Canterbury, New Zealand M5.5 60 km
Mar 30, 1992 57 km NNW of Methven, New Zealand M5.5 120 km
Feb 22, 2011 6 km SSE of Christchurch, New Zealand M5.5 131 km
May 29, 1995 South Island of New Zealand M5.5 132 km
Oct 20, 1998 104 km NNE of Wanaka, New Zealand M5.4 136 km
Jun 21, 1994 47 km N of Methven, New Zealand M5.4 116 km
Jun 21, 2011 1 km SSE of Prebbleton, New Zealand M5.2 122 km
Jun 13, 2011 10 km ESE of Christchurch, New Zealand M5.2 139 km
Oct 4, 2010 5 km ESE of Prebbleton, New Zealand M5.1 125 km
Sep 3, 2010 16 km NNW of Rakaia, New Zealand M5.1 85 km
Jul 6, 2015 56 km NE of Wanaka, New Zealand M5.1 126 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tsunami History

3 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 5.0 m (16 ft).

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
1895 PIEGON BAY Meteorological 5.0 m - 143 km
1881 PIGEON BAY (BANKS PENINSULA) Earthquake 3.0 m - 143 km
1856 S CANTERBURY PROVINCE, SOUTH ISLAND Unknown 1.0 m - 63 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 61°F (16°C) 2.4 in Warmest
February 61°F (16°C) 2.1 in
March 58°F (15°C) 2.5 in Wettest
April 53°F (12°C) 2.2 in
May 48°F (9°C) 2.1 in
June 43°F (6°C) 1.6 in Driest
July 42°F (6°C) 1.9 in Coldest
August 45°F (7°C) 2.0 in
September 49°F (9°C) 1.9 in
October 52°F (11°C) 2.1 in
November 56°F (13°C) 2.2 in
December 59°F (15°C) 2.4 in

Temuka has a seasonal temperature swing of 19°F / from 42°F in July to 61°F in January. Total annual precipitation is 25.3 inches, with March being the wettest month (2.5") and June the driest (1.6").

View full weather details →

Schools in Temuka

6 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).

School Level Enrollment Teachers Student/Teacher
Temuka Primary School - - - -
Saint Joseph's School - - - -
Opihi College - - - -
Waihi School - - - -
Winchester Rural School - - - -
Arowhenua Maori School - - - -
View full schools details →

Radio Stations near Temuka

2 stations within ~55 km.

Station Genre Quality
100,3FM South Canterbury geraldine, local radio MP3 128 kbps
Compass FM community radio, local news MP3 128 kbps

Museums in Temuka

NameTypeAddressPhoneAnnual Revenue
Geraldine Historical Museum
Geraldine Military Musuem
Geraldine Vintage Car & Machinery Museum
Pleasant Point Railway
South Canterbury Aviation Heritage Centre
South Canterbury Museum
South Canterbury Traction Engine And Transport Museum.

Libraries in Temuka

NameAddressStaffAnnual VisitsCirculationCollectionPrograms
Geraldine Library and Service Centre0.0
Timaru District Library0.0

Hotels in Temuka

1 hotels within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Temuka Hotel

Restaurants in Temuka

1 restaurants within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Austin 92

Cafes in Temuka

1 cafes within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

The Shearers Quarters

Gas Stations in Temuka

3 gas stations within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

G.A.S.
NZ #4154995496
Winchester Motors

Golf Courses in Temuka

2 golf courses within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Temuka Golf Course
The Shearers Quarters

Ski Resorts Near Temuka

3 ski resorts within range.

Resort Slopes (km) Lifts Peak (m) Price Season Night Park
Mount Dobson Ski Field 0.0 - - $0 - - -
Fox Peak Ski Area 0.0 - - $0 - - -
Roundhill Ski Field 0.0 - - $0 - - -

Airports Near Temuka

11 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
Oamaru AirportOAMMedium Airport
Timaru AirportTIUMedium Airport
Anama airstrip-Small Airport
Ashburton AirportASGSmall Airport
Cattle Creek Airstrip-Small Airport
Hakatere Airstrip-Small Airport
Mesopotamia Station Airstrip-Small Airport
Mount Hutt Station Airstrip-Small Airport
Pudding Hill Aerodrome-Small Airport
Rangitata Island Airport-Small Airport
Waimate Airport-Small Airport

Churches & Religious Organizations in Temuka

3 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).

NameAddress
St Joseph's Parish - Temuka
St Peter's Anglican Church
Temuka Baptist Church

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 Temuka.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Temuka

What is the population of Temuka?

Temuka has a population of 4,840 residents and is located in New Zealand. The population density is 2 people per square mile, spread across 2,173.2 square miles. The median age of residents is 43.5 years, which is older than the national median of 38.9 years.

Is Temuka expensive to live in?

The median household income is $23,040, 69% below the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $171,600 (39% below the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $858 per month, below the national average of $1,163. The home price-to-income ratio is 7.4x, which means housing is a stretch relative to local earnings.

What is the weather like in Temuka?

Temuka has a four-season climate with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winter temperatures average 61°F in January, while summers reach an average of 42°F in July. The area receives 290 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 25.3 inches.

How is the job market in Temuka?

Temuka has a healthy job market with an unemployment rate of 3.1%, near the national average of 3.6%. The average weekly wage is $443. There are 445 business establishments in the area.

How much does housing cost in Temuka?

The median home value in Temuka is $171,600. For renters, the median monthly rent is $858. The homeownership rate is 81.6%.

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