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Waiouru, New Zealand

Full City Profile

4.1 /5.0
A Great
765 Population 1/sq mi density
2,687 ft Elevation 819 meters
48°F Avg Temperature 9°C
A
Overall
4.1 / 5.0
Strong
B
Economy
3.1 / 5.0
$30,480 median income, 3.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$88,400 home value, $442/mo rent
Waiouru experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 58°F in January while summers reach 38°F in July. The area gets 222 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 62.7 inches. The area receives 0.0 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

58°F Jan (14°C) 38°F Jul (3°C)
Annual Average48.0°F
11% below US avg
January Average58°F (14°C)
July Average38°F (3°C)
Sunny Days222 days/yr

Geography

Elevation2,687 ft (819 m)
Area1,454.1 sq mi (3,766.2 km²)
Population Density1/sq mi
Coordinates-39.4775°N, 175.6683°W
TimezonePacific/Auckland

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 62.7"
65% above US avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Dec) 6.18"
Driest Month (Apr) 4.13"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

1,396 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M6.4. Most recent: M4.6 on Aug 13, 2025.

May 13, 1990 39 km E of Palmerston North, New Zealand M6.4 97 km
Dec 7, 2012 27 km SE of Tokoroa, New Zealand M6.3 122 km
Feb 19, 1990 41 km E of Palmerston North, New Zealand M6.3 104 km
Oct 25, 1999 24 km W of Taupo, New Zealand M6.2 87 km
Jan 20, 2014 35 km NNE of Masterton, New Zealand M6.1 132 km
Sep 19, 1995 15 km SW of Hawera, New Zealand M5.8 131 km
May 18, 1999 54 km S of Otorohanga, New Zealand M5.8 96 km
Apr 11, 1993 28 km WSW of Hastings, New Zealand M5.7 81 km
Jan 12, 2022 22 km ENE of Eltham, New Zealand M5.7 100 km
Jan 27, 2011 21 km NNW of Taupo, New Zealand M5.6 112 km
Oct 16, 2012 8 km NE of Taupo, New Zealand M5.6 103 km
Sep 8, 1991 29 km WSW of Bulls, New Zealand M5.6 101 km
May 24, 2020 29 km WNW of Foxton, New Zealand M5.6 117 km
May 24, 2001 38 km WNW of Turangi, New Zealand M5.5 72 km
Oct 15, 2001 21 km WSW of Hastings, New Zealand M5.5 85 km
Mar 2, 1992 63 km N of Castlepoint, New Zealand M5.5 112 km
Jul 5, 2011 29 km W of Taupo, New Zealand M5.5 90 km
Sep 25, 1996 57 km ENE of Eltham, New Zealand M5.4 74 km
Apr 25, 2023 37 km E of Dannevirke, New Zealand M5.4 114 km
Sep 24, 2001 67 km NNE of Castlepoint, New Zealand M5.4 121 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Tsunami History

6 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 15.0 m (49 ft).

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
1931 N. NEW ZEALAND Eruption + Earthquake 15.0 m 261 45 km
1910 LAKE TAUPO, NORTH ISLAND Meteorological 1.5 m 1 58 km
2022 LAKE TAUPO, NORTH ISLAND Earthquake 1.0 m 77 km
1956 LAKE TAUPO, NORTH ISLAND Earthquake 0.9 m 65 km
1895 LAKE TAUPO, NORTH ISLAND Eruption + Earthquake 81 km
1846 LAKE TAUPO, NORTH ISLAND Unknown 58 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Nearby Volcanoes

7 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Ruapehu (24 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Ruapehu Stratovolcano 2,797 m (9,177 ft) 2007 24 km
Tongariro Stratovolcano(es) 1,978 m (6,490 ft) 2012 36 km
Taupo Caldera 760 m (2,493 ft) 260 79 km
Maroa Caldera(s) 897 m (2,943 ft) 180 123 km
Reporoa Caldera 592 m (1,942 ft) 1180 131 km
Taranaki Stratovolcano 2,518 m (8,261 ft) 1800 139 km
Okataina Lava dome(s) 1,111 m (3,645 ft) 1981 167 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP). Sorted by distance.

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 58°F (14°C) 5.3 in Warmest
February 57°F (14°C) 4.2 in
March 54°F (12°C) 5.8 in
April 49°F (9°C) 4.1 in Driest
May 43°F (6°C) 5.0 in
June 39°F (4°C) 5.3 in
July 38°F (3°C) 5.6 in Coldest
August 40°F (4°C) 5.7 in
September 43°F (6°C) 5.9 in
October 47°F (9°C) 4.8 in
November 51°F (11°C) 4.7 in
December 55°F (13°C) 6.2 in Wettest

Waiouru has a seasonal temperature swing of 20°F / from 38°F in July to 58°F in January. Total annual precipitation is 62.7 inches, with December being the wettest month (6.2") and April the driest (4.1").

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