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Waimate, New Zealand
Canterbury · New Zealand
Waimate is a small town in Canterbury, New Zealand with a population of 3,650. Elevation: 200 ft (61 m). Average temperature: 51°F (10°C).
Data updated June 2026
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About Waimate
Waimate is a town in Canterbury, New Zealand, and the seat of Waimate District. It is situated just inland from the eastern coast of the South Island. The town is reached via a short detour west when travelling on State Highway One, the main north–south road. Waimate is 45.7 km south of Timaru, Canterbury's second city, 20 km north of the Waitaki River, which forms the border between Canterbury and the Otago province to the south, and 47.5 km north of Oamaru, the main town of the Waitaki District.
People
Economy
BHousing
FClimate
| Population | 3,650 |
| Population Density | 2 / sq mi |
| Elevation | 200 ft (61 m) |
| Coordinates | -44.7284°, 171.0501° |
| Timezone | Pacific/Auckland |
| Country | 🇳🇿 New Zealand |
| State / Province | Canterbury |
| Average Temperature | 51°F (10°C) |
| January Average | 59°F (15°C) |
| July Average | 41°F (5°C) |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.0 inches (990 mm) |
| Annual Snowfall | 1.9 inches (5 cm) |
| Median Household Income | $18,780 |
| Median Age | 55.5 years |
About Waimate
Waimate is a small town in New Zealand (Canterbury) with a population of 3,650. The city sits at an elevation of 200 feet (61 meters) above sea level. The average annual temperature is 51°F (10°C). Temperatures range from 59°F in January to 41°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 39.0 inches. The timezone is Pacific/Auckland.
Population
Language Spoken at Home
Social Characteristics
Waimate vs New Zealand Average
Income: Waimate vs New Zealand
Commute Mode
Income
| Median HH Income | $18,780 |
| 75% below New Zealand avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $18,780 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $361 |
Employment & Poverty
| Unemployment | 2.1% |
| 42% below New Zealand avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 336 |
Business (County)
Tax & Cost of Living
Commute & Transportation
Walkability
Home Value Sources
Ownership Split
Home Values
| Census Median | $182,000 |
| 35% below New Zealand avg |
Real Estate Market (Redfin)
Rental Costs
| Census Median Rent | $910 |
| 22% below New Zealand avg |
Ownership & Property
| Homeownership | 88.8% |
| Owner-Occupied | 88.8% |
| Renter-Occupied | 11.2% |
| Housing Units | 1,460 |
Property Tax
Temperature
| Annual Average | 50.5°F |
| 6% below New Zealand avg | |
| January Average | 59°F (15°C) |
| July Average | 41°F (5°C) |
| Sunny Days | 283 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 200 ft (61 m) |
| Area | 2,173.2 sq mi (5,628.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 2/sq mi |
| Coordinates | -44.7284°N, 171.0501°W |
| Timezone | Pacific/Auckland |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Tsunami History
2 tsunamis 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 | - | 111 km |
| 2002 | ALBERT TOWN | Meteorological | - | - | 146 km |
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 59°F (15°C) | 1.9 in | |
| February | 60°F (16°C) | 1.7 in | Warmest |
| March | 58°F (14°C) | 2.0 in | |
| April | 53°F (12°C) | 1.7 in | |
| May | 48°F (9°C) | 1.9 in | |
| June | 43°F (6°C) | 1.3 in | |
| July | 41°F (5°C) | 1.7 in | Coldest |
| August | 45°F (7°C) | 1.6 in | |
| September | 48°F (9°C) | 1.2 in | Driest |
| October | 52°F (11°C) | 1.9 in | |
| November | 55°F (13°C) | 1.8 in | |
| December | 58°F (14°C) | 2.1 in | Wettest |
Waimate has a seasonal temperature swing of 19°F / from 41°F in July to 60°F in February. Total annual precipitation is 20.7 inches, with December being the wettest month (2.1") and September the driest (1.2").
Schools in Waimate
6 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).
| School | Level | Enrollment | Teachers | Student/Teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waimate Centennial School | - | - | - | - |
| St Patrick's School | - | - | - | - |
| Waimate Main School | - | - | - | - |
| Waituna Creek School | - | - | - | - |
| Waihao Downs School | - | - | - | - |
| Waimate High School | - | - | - | - |
Radio Stations near Waimate
1 stations within ~55 km.
| Station | Genre | Quality | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100,3FM South Canterbury | geraldine, local radio | MP3 128 kbps |
Museums in Waimate
| Name | Type | Address | Phone | Annual Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waimate Museum & Archives |
Libraries in Waimate
| Name | Address | Staff | Annual Visits | Circulation | Collection | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waimate District Library | 0.0 |
Hotels in Waimate
1 hotels within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Restaurants in Waimate
1 restaurants within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Cafes in Waimate
3 cafes within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Cinemas in Waimate
1 cinemas within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Veterinaries in Waimate
1 veterinaries within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Gas Stations in Waimate
3 gas stations within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Golf Courses in Waimate
1 golf courses within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Airports Near Waimate
6 airports within the area.
| Airport | IATA | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Oamaru Airport | OAM | Medium Airport |
| Timaru Airport | TIU | Medium Airport |
| Cattle Creek Airstrip | - | Small Airport |
| Rangitata Island Airport | - | Small Airport |
| Tekapo Aerodrome | - | Small Airport |
| Waimate Airport | - | Small Airport |
Post Offices in Waimate
1 post offices.
| Post Office | Address |
|---|---|
| Waimate Post Shop |
Churches & Religious Organizations in Waimate
5 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Calvary Chapel | |
| Connect Church | |
| Knox Presbyterian Church | |
| St Augustines Anglican Church | |
| St Patrick's Basilica |
Explore Near Waimate
Quick Facts
🇳🇿 About New Zealand
Public Holidays in New Zealand
23 public holidays this year
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Get ReportFrequently Asked Questions About Waimate
What is the population of Waimate?
Waimate has a population of 3,650 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 55.5 years, which is older than the national median of 38.9 years.
Is Waimate expensive to live in?
The median household income is $18,780, 75% below the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $182,000 (35% below the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $910 per month, below the national average of $1,163. The home price-to-income ratio is 9.7x, which means housing is a stretch relative to local earnings.
What is the weather like in Waimate?
Waimate has a four-season climate with an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winter temperatures average 59°F in January, while summers reach an average of 41°F in July. The area receives 283 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 39.0 inches, with 1.9 inches of snow.
How is the job market in Waimate?
The job market in Waimate is very strong, with unemployment at just 2.1% / well below the national rate of 3.6%. The average weekly wage is $361. There are 336 business establishments in the area.
How much does housing cost in Waimate?
The median home value in Waimate is $182,000. For renters, the median monthly rent is $910. The homeownership rate is 88.8%.