Sign In Register

Waipawa, New Zealand

Wellington Region · New Zealand

Waipawa is a small town in Wellington Region, New Zealand with a population of 1,899. Elevation: 781 ft (238 m). Average temperature: 55°F (13°C).

2.8 /5.0
C+ Fair
1,899 Population 2/sq mi density
781 ft Elevation 238 meters
55°F Avg Temperature 13°C
43.9 in Annual Rain
Pacific / Auckland Timezone
$22,740 Median Income
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.8 / 5.0
$22,740 median income, 4.0% unemployment
C+
Affordability
2.8 / 5.0
$156,000 home value, $780/mo rent

Discover Waipawa, 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

About Waipawa



Waipawa was a parliamentary electorate in the Hawke's Bay Region of New Zealand, from 1881 to 1946.

People

Population1,899
Median Age41.7 yrs
Density2/mi²

Economy

C+
Median Income$22,740
Per Capita$22,740
Unemployment4.0%

Housing

C+
Home Value$156,000
Rent$780
Ownership80.2%
Housing Units760

Climate

Avg Temp55°F (13°C)
Rain43.9 in/yr
Sunny Days256/yr
Elevation781 ft (238 m)
Population1,899
Population Density2 / sq mi
Elevation781 ft (238 m)
Coordinates-41.4122°, 175.5153°
TimezonePacific/Auckland
Country🇳🇿 New Zealand
State / ProvinceWellington Region
Average Temperature55°F (13°C)
January Average63°F (17°C)
July Average46°F (8°C)
Annual Precipitation43.9 inches (1,116 mm)
Annual Snowfall0.0 inches (0 cm)
Median Household Income$22,740
Median Age41.7 years

About Waipawa

Waipawa is a small town in New Zealand (Wellington Region) with a population of 1,899. The city sits at an elevation of 781 feet (238 meters) above sea level. The average annual temperature is 55°F (13°C). Temperatures range from 63°F in January to 46°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 43.9 inches. The timezone is Pacific/Auckland.

Waipawa has a population of 1,899 with a density of 2 people per square mile, spread across 1,046.4 square miles. The median age is 41.7 years, 7% older than the national median of 38.9.

Population

1,899
Total Population
2
People / sq mi
41.7yrs
Median Age
7% above New Zealand avg
1,046.4mi²
Land Area

Language Spoken at Home

Other Languages 100.0%

Social Characteristics

Waipawa vs New Zealand Average

The median household income in Waipawa is $22,740, which is 70% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $22,740 (below the $39,052 national figure). The average weekly wage is $437, 69% lower than the U.S. average. The unemployment rate is 4.0% (above the 3.6% US average). The area has 175 business establishments.

Income: Waipawa vs New Zealand

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$22,740
70% below New Zealand avg
Per Capita Income$22,740
Avg Weekly Wage$437

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.0%
11% above New Zealand avg
Establishments (County)175

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Walkability

The median home value in Waipawa is $156,000, 45% below the national median of $281,900. Monthly rent averages $780 (33% below the national average of $1,163). 80.2% of housing units are owner-occupied (above the 65.4% national rate). There are 760 total housing units in the city. The home price-to-income ratio is 6.9x, above the traditionally affordable threshold of 3-4x.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$156,000
45% below New Zealand avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$780
33% below New Zealand avg

Ownership & Property

Homeownership80.2%
Owner-Occupied80.2%
Renter-Occupied19.8%
Housing Units760

Property Tax

Waipawa experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 63°F in January while summers reach 46°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 256 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 43.9 inches. The city sits at an elevation of 781 feet.

Temperature

63°F Jan (17°C) 46°F Jul (8°C)
Annual Average54.5°F
1% above New Zealand avg
January Average63°F (17°C)
July Average46°F (8°C)
Sunny Days256 days/yr

Geography

Elevation781 ft (238 m)
Area1,046.4 sq mi (2,710.1 km²)
Population Density2/sq mi
Coordinates-41.4122°N, 175.5153°W
TimezonePacific/Auckland

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 43.9"
16% above New Zealand avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Jul) 5.51"
Driest Month (Feb) 2.17"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

1,056 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M6.5. Most recent: M4.3 on Aug 30, 2025.

Aug 16, 2013 29 km SE of Blenheim, New Zealand M6.5 119 km
Jul 21, 2013 38 km ESE of Blenheim, New Zealand M6.5 103 km
May 13, 1990 39 km E of Palmerston North, New Zealand M6.4 132 km
Feb 19, 1990 41 km E of Palmerston North, New Zealand M6.3 128 km
Jan 20, 2014 35 km NNE of Masterton, New Zealand M6.1 87 km
Aug 16, 2013 26 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.9 127 km
Jul 20, 2013 38 km ESE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.9 97 km
Aug 16, 2013 30 km ESE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.9 108 km
Mar 22, 1995 27 km N of Picton, New Zealand M5.8 132 km
Feb 15, 2023 55 km NW of Raumati Beach, New Zealand M5.7 126 km
Oct 4, 1990 25 km SE of Brooklyn, New Zealand M5.6 47 km
May 24, 2020 29 km WNW of Foxton, New Zealand M5.6 124 km
Sep 8, 1991 29 km WSW of Bulls, New Zealand M5.6 135 km
Mar 2, 1992 63 km N of Castlepoint, New Zealand M5.5 139 km
Oct 6, 1990 24 km SW of Waipawa, New Zealand M5.5 24 km
Jul 18, 2013 38 km E of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.5 94 km
Aug 16, 2013 30 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.5 123 km
Sep 24, 2001 67 km NNE of Castlepoint, New Zealand M5.4 146 km
Jan 5, 2017 36 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.4 130 km
Aug 16, 2013 25 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.4 121 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Tsunami History

4 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 11.0 m (36 ft).

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
1855 NORTHERN ISLAND Earthquake 11.0 m 47 km
2013 WELLINGTON Earthquake 0.1 m 119 km
2013 COOK STRAIT Earthquake 0.1 m 103 km
1855 WHARANUI Earthquake 132 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 63°F (17°C) 2.4 in Warmest
February 63°F (17°C) 2.2 in Driest
March 60°F (16°C) 3.5 in
April 56°F (13°C) 3.4 in
May 51°F (11°C) 4.7 in
June 48°F (9°C) 5.0 in
July 46°F (8°C) 5.5 in Coldest, Wettest
August 48°F (9°C) 5.0 in
September 50°F (10°C) 3.7 in
October 53°F (12°C) 3.1 in
November 56°F (13°C) 2.7 in
December 60°F (16°C) 2.8 in

Waipawa has a seasonal temperature swing of 16°F / from 46°F in July to 63°F in January. Total annual precipitation is 43.9 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.5") and February the driest (2.2").

View full weather details →

Museums in Waipawa

NameTypeAddressPhoneAnnual Revenue
Martinborough Colonial Museum
Martinborough Colonial Museum

Airports Near Waipawa

8 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
Wellington International AirportWLGLarge Airport
Hood AirportMROMedium Airport
Paraparaumu AirportPPQMedium Airport
Alfredton AirportSmall Airport
Flat Point AerodromeSmall Airport
Martinborough AirportSmall Airport
Otaki AirportSmall Airport
Papawai AirfieldSmall Airport

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 Waipawa.

Get Report

Frequently Asked Questions About Waipawa

What is the population of Waipawa?

Waipawa has a population of 1,899 residents and is located in New Zealand. The population density is 2 people per square mile, spread across 1,046.4 square miles. The median age of residents is 41.7 years, which is older than the national median of 38.9 years.

Is Waipawa expensive to live in?

The median household income is $22,740, 70% below the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $156,000 (45% below the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $780 per month, below the national average of $1,163. The home price-to-income ratio is 6.9x, which means housing is a stretch relative to local earnings.

What is the weather like in Waipawa?

Waipawa has a four-season climate with an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winter temperatures average 63°F in January, while summers reach an average of 46°F in July. The area receives 256 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 43.9 inches.

How is the job market in Waipawa?

Waipawa has a healthy job market with an unemployment rate of 4.0%, near the national average of 3.6%. The average weekly wage is $437. There are 175 business establishments in the area.

How much does housing cost in Waipawa?

The median home value in Waipawa is $156,000. For renters, the median monthly rent is $780. The homeownership rate is 80.2%.

Nearby Cities

Compare Waipawa with another city: