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Tolaga Bay, New Zealand

Gisborne · New Zealand

Tolaga Bay is a small town in Gisborne, New Zealand with a population of 932. Elevation: 33 ft (10 m). Average temperature: 57°F (14°C).

4.1 /5.0
A Great
932 Population 4/sq mi density
33 ft Elevation 10 meters
57°F Avg Temperature 14°C
55.7 in Annual Rain
Pacific / Auckland Timezone
$48,800 Median Income
A
Overall
4.1 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.2 / 5.0
$48,800 median income, 5.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$91,000 home value, $455/mo rent

Discover Tolaga Bay, 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

People

Population932
Median Age37.2 yrs
Density4/mi²

Economy

B
Median Income$48,800
Per Capita$49,076
Unemployment5.1%

Housing

A+
Home Value$91,000
Rent$455
Ownership64.5%
Housing Units373

Climate

Avg Temp57°F (14°C)
Rain55.7 in/yr
Sunny Days235/yr
Elevation33 ft (10 m)
Population932
Population Density4 / sq mi
Elevation33 ft (10 m)
Coordinates-38.3667°, 178.3000°
TimezonePacific/Auckland
Country🇳🇿 New Zealand
State / ProvinceGisborne
Average Temperature57°F (14°C)
January Average66°F (19°C)
July Average49°F (9°C)
Annual Precipitation55.7 inches (1,415 mm)
Annual Snowfall0.0 inches (0 cm)
Median Household Income$48,800
Median Age37.2 years

About Tolaga Bay

Tolaga Bay is a small town in New Zealand (Gisborne) with a population of 932. The city sits at an elevation of 33 feet (10 meters) above sea level. The average annual temperature is 57°F (14°C). Temperatures range from 66°F in January to 49°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 55.7 inches. The timezone is Pacific/Auckland.

Tolaga Bay has a population of 932 with a density of 4 people per square mile, spread across 248.7 square miles. The median age is 37.2 years, 4% younger than the national median of 38.9.

Population

932
Total Population
4
People / sq mi
37.2yrs
Median Age
4% below New Zealand avg
248.7mi²
Land Area

Language Spoken at Home

Other Languages 100.0%

Social Characteristics

Tolaga Bay vs New Zealand Average

The median household income in Tolaga Bay is $48,800, which is 35% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $49,076 (above the $39,052 national figure). The average weekly wage is $944, 34% lower than the U.S. average. The unemployment rate is 5.1% (above the 3.6% US average). The area has 86 business establishments.

Income: Tolaga Bay vs New Zealand

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$48,800
35% below New Zealand avg
Per Capita Income$49,076
Avg Weekly Wage$944

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.1%
41% above New Zealand avg
Establishments (County)86

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Walkability

The median home value in Tolaga Bay is $91,000, 68% below the national median of $281,900. Monthly rent averages $455 (61% below the national average of $1,163). 64.5% of housing units are owner-occupied. There are 373 total housing units in the city. The home price-to-income ratio is 1.9x, well within the affordable range.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$91,000
68% below New Zealand avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$455
61% below New Zealand avg

Ownership & Property

Homeownership64.5%
Owner-Occupied64.5%
Renter-Occupied35.5%
Housing Units373

Property Tax

Tolaga Bay enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 66°F in January while summers reach 49°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 235 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 55.7 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 33 feet, near sea level.

Temperature

66°F Jan (19°C) 49°F Jul (9°C)
Annual Average57.3°F
6% above New Zealand avg
January Average66°F (19°C)
July Average49°F (9°C)
Sunny Days235 days/yr

Geography

Elevation33 ft (10 m)
Area248.7 sq mi (644.1 km²)
Population Density4/sq mi
Coordinates-38.3667°N, 178.3000°W
TimezonePacific/Auckland

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 55.7"
47% above New Zealand avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Jun) 6.73"
Driest Month (Oct) 3.11"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

1,145 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M7.3. Most recent: M4.3 on Aug 9, 2025.

Mar 4, 2021 182 km NE of Gisborne, New Zealand M7.3 142 km
Feb 5, 1995 118 km NNE of Gisborne, New Zealand M7.1 78 km
Sep 1, 2016 175 km NE of Gisborne, New Zealand M7.0 135 km
Oct 21, 2001 178 km ENE of Opotiki, New Zealand M6.7 149 km
Feb 10, 1995 102 km NNE of Gisborne, New Zealand M6.5 63 km
Dec 15, 1994 83 km NNE of Opotiki, New Zealand M6.5 139 km
Aug 10, 1993 42 km WNW of Gisborne, New Zealand M6.4 67 km
Mar 6, 2021 183 km NE of Gisborne, New Zealand M6.3 144 km
Jun 21, 1992 31 km NNW of Whakatane, New Zealand M6.2 147 km
Feb 13, 1995 125 km ENE of Opotiki, New Zealand M6.0 88 km
Feb 6, 1995 100 km NE of Gisborne, New Zealand M5.9 60 km
Sep 5, 2016 158 km NE of Opotiki, New Zealand M5.9 142 km
Feb 6, 1995 117 km NE of Gisborne, New Zealand M5.9 77 km
May 16, 1992 25 km NNW of Gisborne, New Zealand M5.8 40 km
Oct 8, 2016 154 km NE of Opotiki, New Zealand M5.8 141 km
Aug 31, 2016 174 km NE of Opotiki, New Zealand M5.8 148 km
Apr 29, 2021 169 km NE of Gisborne, New Zealand M5.7 129 km
Aug 18, 1999 74 km N of Opotiki, New Zealand M5.7 142 km
Feb 9, 1995 91 km NE of Gisborne, New Zealand M5.7 51 km
Feb 6, 1995 113 km NE of Gisborne, New Zealand M5.6 73 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Tsunami History

7 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 10.0 m (33 ft).

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
1947 OFF COAST OF NORTH ISLAND Eruption + Earthquake 10.0 m 73 km
1947 OFF COAST OF NORTH ISLAND Earthquake 6.0 m 51 km
2021 GISBORNE Earthquake 0.3 m 134 km
2016 GISBORNE Earthquake 0.2 m 134 km
1914 TOLAGA BAY, NORTH ISLAND Eruption + Earthquake 1 64 km
1880 GISBORNE Earthquake 72 km
1831 POVERTY BAY, NORTH ISLAND Earthquake 45 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Nearby Volcanoes

4 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Whakaari/White Island (136 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Whakaari/White Island Stratovolcano(es) 294 m (965 ft) 2019 136 km
Okataina Lava dome(s) 1,111 m (3,645 ft) 1981 160 km
Reporoa Caldera 592 m (1,942 ft) 1180 172 km
Maroa Caldera(s) 897 m (2,943 ft) 180 194 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP). Sorted by distance.

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 66°F (19°C) 3.2 in Warmest
February 66°F (19°C) 3.7 in
March 63°F (17°C) 5.6 in
April 59°F (15°C) 4.5 in
May 54°F (12°C) 4.9 in
June 50°F (10°C) 6.7 in Wettest
July 49°F (9°C) 6.0 in Coldest
August 50°F (10°C) 6.1 in
September 53°F (12°C) 4.8 in
October 56°F (13°C) 3.1 in Driest
November 59°F (15°C) 3.4 in
December 63°F (17°C) 3.7 in

Tolaga Bay has a seasonal temperature swing of 17°F / from 49°F in July to 66°F in January. Total annual precipitation is 55.7 inches, with June being the wettest month (6.7") and October the driest (3.1").

View full weather details →

Schools in Tolaga Bay

2 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).

School Level Enrollment Teachers Student/Teacher
Tolaga Bay Area School
Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Mangatuna
View full schools details →

Radio Stations near Tolaga Bay

1 stations within ~55 km.

Station Genre Quality
Switch FM Gisborne dance AAC+ 128 kbps

Restaurants in Tolaga Bay

2 restaurants within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Hood Kai
Tolaga Bay Inn

Cafes in Tolaga Bay

2 cafes within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Black Market
J&A Corner Cafe

Monuments in Tolaga Bay

1 monuments within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Tolaga Bay Wharf

Gas Stations in Tolaga Bay

1 gas stations within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

G.A.S.

Golf Courses in Tolaga Bay

1 golf courses within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Tolaga Bay Golf Club

Airports Near Tolaga Bay

2 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
Gisborne AirportGISMedium Airport
Ruatoria AirfieldSmall Airport

Churches & Religious Organizations in Tolaga Bay

1 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).

NameAddress
Saint Andrews Anglican Church

Explore Near Tolaga Bay

Meteorites
1
Confirmed meteorite landing sites recorded in NASA meteorite catalog
View all →

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 Tolaga Bay

What is the population of Tolaga Bay?

Tolaga Bay has a population of 932 residents and is located in New Zealand. The population density is 4 people per square mile, spread across 248.7 square miles. The median age of residents is 37.2 years.

Is Tolaga Bay expensive to live in?

The median household income is $48,800, 35% below the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $91,000 (68% below the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $455 per month, below the national average of $1,163. The home price-to-income ratio is 1.9x, indicating housing is reasonably affordable relative to local income levels.

What is the weather like in Tolaga Bay?

Tolaga Bay enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winter temperatures average 66°F in January, while summers reach an average of 49°F in July. The area receives 235 sunny days per year. Annual rainfall totals 55.7 inches.

How is the job market in Tolaga Bay?

The unemployment rate in Tolaga Bay is 5.1%, somewhat above the national average of 3.6%. Job seekers may face moderate competition. The average weekly wage is $944. There are 86 business establishments in the area.

How much does housing cost in Tolaga Bay?

The median home value in Tolaga Bay is $91,000. For renters, the median monthly rent is $455. The homeownership rate is 64.5%.

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