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Wairakei, New Zealand

Full City Profile

2.0 /5.0
C Fair
510 Population 31/sq mi density
1,230 ft Elevation 375 meters
53°F Avg Temperature 11°C
C
Overall
2.0 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.0 / 5.0
$29,280 median income, 3.6% unemployment
F
Affordability
1.0 / 5.0
$338,000 home value, $1,690/mo rent
Wairakei experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winters average 62°F in January while summers reach 43°F in July. The area gets 234 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 56.3 inches. The area receives 0.0 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

62°F Jan (17°C) 43°F Jul (6°C)
Annual Average52.5°F
3% below US avg
January Average62°F (17°C)
July Average43°F (6°C)
Sunny Days234 days/yr

Geography

Elevation1,230 ft (375 m)
Area16.6 sq mi (42.9 km²)
Population Density31/sq mi
Coordinates-38.6333°N, 176.1000°W
TimezonePacific/Auckland

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 56.3"
48% above US avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Jun) 5.59"
Driest Month (Apr) 3.78"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

1,403 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M6.4. Most recent: M4.1 on Aug 5, 2025.

Aug 10, 1993 42 km WNW of Gisborne, New Zealand M6.4 127 km
Dec 7, 2012 27 km SE of Tokoroa, New Zealand M6.3 23 km
Jun 21, 1992 31 km NNW of Whakatane, New Zealand M6.2 124 km
Oct 25, 1999 24 km W of Taupo, New Zealand M6.2 27 km
May 18, 1999 54 km S of Otorohanga, New Zealand M5.8 73 km
Apr 11, 1993 28 km WSW of Hastings, New Zealand M5.7 129 km
Jul 18, 2004 20 km WNW of Kawerau, New Zealand M5.6 79 km
Oct 16, 2012 8 km NE of Taupo, New Zealand M5.6 6 km
Mar 25, 1992 28 km N of Whakatane, New Zealand M5.6 129 km
Jan 27, 2011 21 km NNW of Taupo, New Zealand M5.6 17 km
May 24, 2001 38 km WNW of Turangi, New Zealand M5.5 67 km
Oct 15, 2001 21 km WSW of Hastings, New Zealand M5.5 127 km
Jul 5, 2011 29 km W of Taupo, New Zealand M5.5 31 km
Sep 25, 1996 57 km ENE of Eltham, New Zealand M5.4 121 km
Mar 23, 1999 12 km NNW of Edgecumbe, New Zealand M5.4 104 km
Jul 8, 2006 34 km N of Napier, New Zealand M5.3 91 km
Apr 8, 2006 20 km SE of Tokoroa, New Zealand M5.3 31 km
Jul 12, 1991 23 km ENE of Waiouru, New Zealand M5.3 84 km
Aug 8, 2000 51 km ESE of Turangi, New Zealand M5.3 70 km
Mar 17, 2023 8 km WNW of Kawerau, New Zealand M5.3 78 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 261 127 km
1910 LAKE TAUPO, NORTH ISLAND Meteorological 1.5 m 1 49 km
2022 LAKE TAUPO, NORTH ISLAND Earthquake 1.0 m 25 km
1956 LAKE TAUPO, NORTH ISLAND Earthquake 0.9 m 39 km
1895 LAKE TAUPO, NORTH ISLAND Eruption + Earthquake 21 km
1846 LAKE TAUPO, NORTH ISLAND Unknown 49 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Nearby Volcanoes

9 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Taupo (23 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Taupo Caldera 760 m (2,493 ft) 260 23 km
Maroa Caldera(s) 897 m (2,943 ft) 180 24 km
Reporoa Caldera 592 m (1,942 ft) 1180 31 km
Okataina Lava dome(s) 1,111 m (3,645 ft) 1981 67 km
Tongariro Stratovolcano(es) 1,978 m (6,490 ft) 2012 71 km
Ruapehu Stratovolcano 2,797 m (9,177 ft) 2007 85 km
Mayor Island Shield 355 m (1,165 ft) -5060 151 km
Whakaari/White Island Stratovolcano(es) 294 m (965 ft) 2019 156 km
Taranaki Stratovolcano 2,518 m (8,261 ft) 1800 191 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP). Sorted by distance.

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 62°F (17°C) 4.1 in Warmest
February 62°F (17°C) 3.9 in
March 59°F (15°C) 4.5 in
April 53°F (12°C) 3.8 in Driest
May 48°F (9°C) 4.7 in
June 44°F (7°C) 5.6 in Wettest
July 43°F (6°C) 5.2 in Coldest
August 45°F (7°C) 5.4 in
September 48°F (9°C) 5.2 in
October 52°F (11°C) 4.5 in
November 55°F (13°C) 4.4 in
December 59°F (15°C) 5.3 in

Wairakei has a seasonal temperature swing of 19°F / from 43°F in July to 62°F in January. Total annual precipitation is 56.4 inches, with June being the wettest month (5.6") and April the driest (3.8").

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