Timaru, New Zealand

Canterbury · New Zealand

Timaru is a small city in Canterbury, New Zealand with a population of 28,700. Elevation: 46 ft (14 m). Average temperature: 52°F (11°C).

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

28,700 Population 2,188/sq mi density
46 ft Elevation 14 meters
52°F Avg Temperature 11°C
23.4 in Annual Rain
Pacific / Auckland Timezone

Discover Timaru, 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.
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Full City Profile

People

Population28,700
Density2,188/mi²

Climate

Avg Temp52°F (11°C)
Rain23.4 in/yr
Elevation46 ft (14 m)
Population28,700
Population Density2,188 / sq mi
Elevation46 ft (14 m)
Coordinates-44.3967°, 171.2536°
TimezonePacific/Auckland
Country🇳🇿 New Zealand
State / ProvinceCanterbury
Average Temperature52°F (11°C)
January Average61°F (16°C)
July Average43°F (6°C)
Annual Precipitation23.4 inches (594 mm)
Annual Snowfall0.0 inches (0 cm)

About Timaru

Timaru is a small city in New Zealand (Canterbury) with a population of 28,700. The city sits at an elevation of 46 feet (14 meters) above sea level. The average annual temperature is 52°F (11°C). Temperatures range from 61°F in January to 43°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 23.4 inches. The timezone is Pacific/Auckland.

Climate in Timaru

Timaru has an average annual temperature of 12°C (54°F). The hottest month is Jan (16.5°C), the coldest is Jul (7.6°C). Average annual precipitation is 562 mm.

Month Avg °C / °F Min / Max °C Rain (mm)
Jan 16.5°C / 62°F 10.4° / 26.1° 39.6
Feb 16.3°C / 61°F 9.5° / 26.4° 45.2
Mar 14.9°C / 59°F 9.3° / 24.6° 37.2
Apr 12.8°C / 55°F 7.4° / 20.5° 38.2
May 10.7°C / 51°F 5.5° / 18.8° 43.2
Jun 8.4°C / 47°F 4.2° / 14.7° 39.5
Jul 7.6°C / 46°F 3.7° / 14.1° 73.8
Aug 8.1°C / 47°F 2.8° / 15.3° 38.0
Sep 9.5°C / 49°F 3.6° / 17.2° 37.1
Oct 11°C / 52°F 4.8° / 19.2° 58.2
Nov 13.4°C / 56°F 7.2° / 22.6° 45.8
Dec 15°C / 59°F 8.6° / 24° 66.8
Timaru experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 61°F in January while summers reach 43°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. Annual precipitation totals 23.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 46 feet, near sea level.

Temperature

61°F Jan (16°C) 43°F Jul (6°C)
Annual Average52.4°F
3% below New Zealand avg
January Average61°F (16°C)
July Average43°F (6°C)

Geography

Elevation46 ft (14 m)
Area13.1 sq mi (34.0 km²)
Population Density2,188/sq mi
Coordinates44.3967°S, 171.2536°E
TimezonePacific/Auckland

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 23.4"
38% below New Zealand avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Dec) 2.28"
Driest Month (Jun) 1.42"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

456 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 M7.0 108 km
Feb 21, 2011 6 km SE of Christchurch, New Zealand M6.1 146 km
Jun 19, 1994 40 km N of Methven, New Zealand M6.0 128 km
Jan 5, 2015 43 km SSE of Hokitika, New Zealand M5.6 149 km
Feb 22, 2011 7 km S of Christchurch, New Zealand M5.6 141 km
Feb 22, 2011 6 km SSE of Christchurch, New Zealand M5.5 143 km
Mar 30, 1992 57 km NNW of Methven, New Zealand M5.5 139 km
Sep 19, 2023 Canterbury, New Zealand M5.5 78 km
Jun 21, 1994 47 km N of Methven, New Zealand M5.4 135 km
Oct 20, 1998 104 km NNE of Wanaka, New Zealand M5.4 141 km
Jun 21, 2011 1 km SSE of Prebbleton, New Zealand M5.2 135 km
Jan 19, 2011 2 km S of Prebbleton, New Zealand M5.1 134 km
Sep 3, 2010 16 km NNW of Rakaia, New Zealand M5.1 101 km
Jul 6, 2015 56 km NE of Wanaka, New Zealand M5.1 123 km
Oct 4, 2010 5 km ESE of Prebbleton, New Zealand M5.1 137 km
Sep 3, 2010 6 km NNE of Rolleston, New Zealand M5.0 134 km
May 9, 2011 2 km ESE of Rolleston, New Zealand M5.0 128 km
Sep 4, 2010 15 km SW of Darfield, New Zealand M5.0 108 km
Jun 5, 2011 0 km E of Rolleston, New Zealand M5.0 128 km
Feb 25, 2011 5 km SSE of Christchurch, New Zealand M4.9 145 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tsunami History

1 tsunami recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 1.0 m (3 ft).

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
1856 S CANTERBURY PROVINCE, SOUTH ISLAND Unknown 1.0 m - 74 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 61°F (16°C) 2.1 in Warmest
February 61°F (16°C) 1.9 in
March 58°F (15°C) 2.2 in
April 54°F (12°C) 2.1 in
May 48°F (9°C) 2.2 in
June 44°F (6°C) 1.4 in Driest
July 43°F (6°C) 1.8 in Coldest
August 45°F (7°C) 1.9 in
September 49°F (9°C) 1.6 in
October 52°F (11°C) 2.0 in
November 56°F (13°C) 2.0 in
December 59°F (15°C) 2.3 in Wettest

Timaru has a seasonal temperature swing of 19°F / from 43°F in July to 61°F in January. Total annual precipitation is 23.4 inches, with December being the wettest month (2.3") and June the driest (1.4").

View full weather details →

Radio Stations near Timaru

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 Timaru

NameTypeAddressPhoneAnnual Revenue
Pleasant Point Railway
South Canterbury Aviation Heritage Centre
South Canterbury Museum
South Canterbury Traction Engine And Transport Museum.

Libraries in Timaru

NameAddressStaffAnnual VisitsCirculationCollectionPrograms
Timaru District Library0.0

Hotels in Timaru

1 hotels within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

The Grosvenor Hotel

Restaurants in Timaru

6 restaurants within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Bullock Restaurant & Bar
Saikou Teppenyaki and Whisky Bar
Speights Ale House
Steak @ Customs House
Suhko Thai
Zest

Cafes in Timaru

7 cafes within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Coffee Culture
Columbus Coffee
Copper
Mrs M's
Sopheze Coffee Lounge
TE Block (Cafe)
The Station Café

Theatres in Timaru

2 theatres within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Sound Shell
Theatre Royal

Dentists in Timaru

2 dentists within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Silver Birches Dental Centre
Stafford Dental Centre

Train Stations in Timaru

1 train stations within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Timaru

Banks in Timaru

3 banks within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

ANZ
ASB Bank
Westpac

Ski Resorts Near Timaru

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 Timaru

7 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
Oamaru AirportOAMMedium Airport
Timaru AirportTIUMedium Airport
Anama airstrip-Small Airport
Ashburton AirportASGSmall Airport
Cattle Creek Airstrip-Small Airport
Rangitata Island Airport-Small Airport
Waimate Airport-Small Airport

Churches & Religious Organizations in Timaru

3 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).

NameAddress
Chalmers Church
St Mary's Church
Timaru Elim Church / Timaru Elim Christian Centre

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 Timaru

What is the population of Timaru?

Timaru has a population of 28,700 residents and is located in New Zealand. The population density is 2,188 people per square mile, spread across 13.1 square miles.

What is the weather like in Timaru?

Timaru 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 43°F in July. Annual rainfall totals 23.4 inches.

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