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Twizel, New Zealand

Canterbury · New Zealand

Twizel is a small town in Canterbury, New Zealand with a population of 1,780. Elevation: 1,529 ft (466 m). Average temperature: 49°F (10°C).

Data updated June 2026

2.7 /5.0
C+ Fair
1,780 Population 377/sq mi density
1,529 ft Elevation 466 meters
49°F Avg Temperature 10°C
41.4 in Annual Rain
Pacific / Auckland Timezone
$24,840 Median Income
C+
Overall
2.7 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.2 / 5.0
$24,840 median income, 1.4% unemployment
C
Affordability
2.2 / 5.0
$197,600 home value, $988/mo rent

Discover Twizel, 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

Population1,780
Median Age44.2 yrs
Density377/mi²

Economy

B
Median Income$24,840
Per Capita$24,840
Unemployment1.4%

Housing

C
Home Value$197,600
Rent$988
Ownership68.1%
Housing Units712

Climate

Avg Temp49°F (10°C)
Rain41.4 in/yr
Sunny Days261/yr
Elevation1,529 ft (466 m)
Population1,780
Population Density377 / sq mi
Elevation1,529 ft (466 m)
Coordinates-44.2584°, 170.1006°
TimezonePacific/Auckland
Country🇳🇿 New Zealand
State / ProvinceCanterbury
Average Temperature49°F (10°C)
January Average60°F (16°C)
July Average37°F (3°C)
Annual Precipitation41.4 inches (1,051 mm)
Annual Snowfall0.0 inches (0 cm)
Median Household Income$24,840
Median Age44.2 years

About Twizel

Twizel is a small town in New Zealand (Canterbury) with a population of 1,780. The city sits at an elevation of 1,529 feet (466 meters) above sea level. The average annual temperature is 49°F (10°C). Temperatures range from 60°F in January to 37°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 41.4 inches. The timezone is Pacific/Auckland.

Twizel has a population of 1,780 with a density of 377 people per square mile, spread across 4.7 square miles. The median age is 44.2 years, 14% older than the national median of 38.9.

Population

1,780
Total Population
377
People / sq mi
44.2yrs
Median Age
14% above New Zealand avg
4.7mi²
Land Area

Language Spoken at Home

Other Languages 100.0%

Social Characteristics

Twizel vs New Zealand Average

The median household income in Twizel is $24,840, which is 67% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $24,840 (below the $39,052 national figure). The average weekly wage is $478, 67% lower than the U.S. average. The unemployment rate is 1.4% (below the 3.6% US average). The area has 164 business establishments.

Income: Twizel vs New Zealand

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$24,840
67% below New Zealand avg
Per Capita Income$24,840
Avg Weekly Wage$478

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.4%
61% below New Zealand avg
Establishments (County)164

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Walkability

The median home value in Twizel is $197,600, 30% below the national median of $281,900. Monthly rent averages $988 (15% below the national average of $1,163). 68.1% of housing units are owner-occupied. There are 712 total housing units in the city. The home price-to-income ratio is 8x, making homeownership a significant financial stretch for most families.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$197,600
30% below New Zealand avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$988
15% below New Zealand avg

Ownership & Property

Homeownership68.1%
Owner-Occupied68.1%
Renter-Occupied31.9%
Housing Units712

Property Tax

Climate in Twizel

Twizel has an average annual temperature of 9.7°C (49°F). The hottest month is Jan (16.4°C), the coldest is Jul (2.4°C). Average annual precipitation is 502 mm.

Month Avg °C / °F Min / Max °C Rain (mm)
Jan 16.4°C / 62°F 9.2° / 23.6° 49.6
Feb 16.2°C / 61°F 8.6° / 23.8° 40.2
Mar 13.3°C / 56°F 6.1° / 20.5° 31.2
Apr 9.6°C / 49°F 3° / 16.2° 34.2
May 6.6°C / 44°F 1° / 12.2° 61.5
Jun 2.9°C / 37°F -2.2° / 8° 42.1
Jul 2.4°C / 36°F -2.7° / 7.5° 35.5
Aug 4.9°C / 41°F -0.6° / 10.3° 27.1
Sep 7.5°C / 46°F 1.4° / 13.6° 32.4
Oct 9.7°C / 49°F 3.3° / 16.1° 44.2
Nov 12°C / 54°F 5.3° / 18.7° 37.9
Dec 14.6°C / 58°F 7.8° / 21.4° 65.9
Twizel experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (10°C). Winters average 60°F in January while summers reach 37°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 261 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 41.4 inches. The city sits at an elevation of 1,529 feet.

Temperature

60°F Jan (16°C) 37°F Jul (3°C)
Annual Average49.4°F
9% below New Zealand avg
January Average60°F (16°C)
July Average37°F (3°C)
Sunny Days261 days/yr

Geography

Elevation1,529 ft (466 m)
Area4.7 sq mi (12.2 km²)
Population Density377/sq mi
Coordinates-44.2584°N, 170.1006°W
TimezonePacific/Auckland

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 41.4"
9% above New Zealand avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Apr) 4.25"
Driest Month (Nov) 2.52"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

159 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M5.8. Most recent: M4.1 on Mar 5, 2025.

Dec 7, 2001 59 km NNW of Wanaka, New Zealand M5.8 102 km
May 4, 2015 28 km NW of Wanaka, New Zealand M5.6 101 km
Sep 19, 2023 Canterbury, New Zealand M5.5 102 km
Feb 24, 2002 79 km NW of Wanaka, New Zealand M5.4 122 km
Oct 20, 1998 104 km NNE of Wanaka, New Zealand M5.4 59 km
May 2, 2005 83 km N of Wanaka, New Zealand M5.4 93 km
Jul 10, 1990 South Island of New Zealand M5.2 82 km
Jul 6, 2015 56 km NE of Wanaka, New Zealand M5.1 35 km
May 2, 2005 85 km N of Wanaka, New Zealand M5.0 94 km
Nov 27, 1992 53 km SSW of Hokitika, New Zealand M4.9 132 km
Jan 30, 2017 72 km NNW of Wanaka, New Zealand M4.9 114 km
Oct 21, 2000 80 km NNW of Wanaka, New Zealand M4.9 115 km
Apr 2, 2005 67 km ENE of Wanaka, New Zealand M4.9 22 km
Jun 10, 2011 85 km NW of Wanaka, New Zealand M4.9 139 km
Feb 8, 1998 42 km WNW of Oamaru, New Zealand M4.8 85 km
May 9, 2002 103 km NNW of Wanaka, New Zealand M4.7 131 km
Feb 13, 2022 80 km NNW of Wanaka, New Zealand M4.7 116 km
Mar 14, 2013 69 km NW of Arrowtown, New Zealand M4.7 147 km
Aug 1, 1993 43 km NNE of Wanaka, New Zealand M4.7 64 km
Aug 30, 2012 75 km NNW of Wanaka, New Zealand M4.7 111 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tsunami History

2 tsunamis recorded within 500 km.

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
2002 ALBERT TOWN Meteorological - - 87 km
1886 JACKSON BAY, SOUTH ISLAND Meteorological - - 123 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 60°F (16°C) 3.7 in Warmest
February 60°F (16°C) 3.2 in
March 56°F (14°C) 3.4 in
April 50°F (10°C) 4.3 in Wettest
May 43°F (6°C) 4.3 in
June 38°F (3°C) 3.4 in
July 37°F (3°C) 3.7 in Coldest
August 40°F (5°C) 3.7 in
September 46°F (8°C) 2.6 in
October 50°F (10°C) 3.2 in
November 54°F (12°C) 2.5 in Driest
December 58°F (14°C) 3.5 in

Twizel has a seasonal temperature swing of 24°F / from 37°F in July to 60°F in January. Total annual precipitation is 41.4 inches, with April being the wettest month (4.3") and November the driest (2.5").

View full weather details →

Schools in Twizel

1 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).

School Level Enrollment Teachers Student/Teacher
Twizel Area School - - - -
View full schools details →

Radio Stations near Twizel

0 stations within ~55 km.

Station Genre Quality

Libraries in Twizel

NameAddressStaffAnnual VisitsCirculationCollectionPrograms
Twizel Library0.0

Hotels in Twizel

3 hotels within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Lakestone Lodge
MacKenzie Country Hotel
Pukaki Air Lodge

Restaurants in Twizel

6 restaurants within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Fishtail Restaurant & Bar
High Country Salmon
Jasmine Thai
Ministry of Works
Mint Folk & Co
The Razza

Cafes in Twizel

4 cafes within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

AJ’s Kitchen
Musterers Hut
Poppies Café & Restaurant
Twizel Bakery Cafe

Clinics in Twizel

1 clinics within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

NZ #720098589

Veterinaries in Twizel

1 veterinaries within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Vetlife

Gas Stations in Twizel

4 gas stations within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

McKeown
Mobil
NZ #1472663941
Twizel Auto Services

Banks in Twizel

1 banks within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Twizel Banking Hub

Golf Courses in Twizel

2 golf courses within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Ben Ohau Golf Course
Omarama Golf Club

Ski Resorts Near Twizel

4 ski resorts within range.

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

Airports Near Twizel

9 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
Glentanner AirportGTNMedium Airport
Mount Cook AirportMONMedium Airport
Pukaki AirportTWZMedium Airport
Cattle Creek Airstrip-Small Airport
Dingleburn Station Airstrip-Small Airport
Karangarua River Airstrip-Small Airport
Omarama Glider Airport-Small Airport
Paringa Airstrip-Small Airport
Tekapo Aerodrome-Small Airport

Post Offices in Twizel

1 post offices.

Post OfficeAddress
Twizel Postal Services

Churches & Religious Organizations in Twizel

1 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).

NameAddress
All Saints Church

Explore Near Twizel

Waterfalls
3
Natural waterfalls documented by USGS and OpenStreetMap contributors
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

Download Full City Report

Get a comprehensive, print-ready PDF with all data for Twizel.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Twizel

What is the population of Twizel?

Twizel has a population of 1,780 residents and is located in New Zealand. The population density is 377 people per square mile, spread across 4.7 square miles. The median age of residents is 44.2 years, which is older than the national median of 38.9 years.

Is Twizel expensive to live in?

The median household income is $24,840, 67% below the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $197,600 (30% below the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $988 per month, below the national average of $1,163. The home price-to-income ratio is 8x, which means housing is a stretch relative to local earnings.

What is the weather like in Twizel?

Twizel has a four-season climate with an average annual temperature of 49°F (10°C). Winter temperatures average 60°F in January, while summers reach an average of 37°F in July. The area receives 261 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 41.4 inches.

How is the job market in Twizel?

The job market in Twizel is very strong, with unemployment at just 1.4% / well below the national rate of 3.6%. The average weekly wage is $478. There are 164 business establishments in the area.

How much does housing cost in Twizel?

The median home value in Twizel is $197,600. For renters, the median monthly rent is $988. The homeownership rate is 68.1%.

Nearby Cities

Lake Hawea, F7 2,190 pop · 48.0 mi Pleasant Point, E9 1,470 pop · 51.1 mi Glenwood, E9 1,930 pop · 54.5 mi Gleniti, E9 4,270 pop · 55.0 mi Wanaka, F7 13,100 pop · 55.9 mi West End, E9 2,880 pop · 56.1 mi Marchwiel, E9 3,750 pop · 56.2 mi Washdyke, E9 1,200 pop · 56.4 mi Watlington, E9 2,420 pop · 56.7 mi Waikowhai, G3 5,550 pop · 56.9 mi Waimataitai, E9 2,210 pop · 56.9 mi Waimate, E9 3,650 pop · 57.0 mi Seaview, E9 2,370 pop · 57.2 mi Kensington, E9 1,640 pop · 57.6 mi
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