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Wairau Valley, New Zealand

Marlborough · New Zealand

Wairau Valley is a small town in Marlborough, New Zealand with a population of 2,230. Elevation: 541 ft (165 m). Average temperature: 51°F (11°C).

1.9 /5.0
D Poor
2,230 Population 13/sq mi density
541 ft Elevation 165 meters
51°F Avg Temperature 11°C
50.8 in Annual Rain
Pacific / Auckland Timezone
$21,960 Median Income
D
Overall
1.9 / 5.0
Poor overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.8 / 5.0
$21,960 median income, 4.2% unemployment
F
Affordability
1.0 / 5.0
$239,200 home value, $1,196/mo rent

Discover Wairau Valley, 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 Wairau Valley

Wairau Valley

Wairau Valley is the valley of the Wairau River in Marlborough, New Zealand and also the name of the main settlement in the upper valley. State Highway 63 runs through the valley. The valley opens onto the Wairau Plain, where Renwick and Blenheim are sited. The Alpine–Wairau Fault runs along the length of the valley.

People

Population2,230
Median Age37.9 yrs
Density13/mi²

Economy

C+
Median Income$21,960
Per Capita$21,960
Unemployment4.2%

Housing

F
Home Value$239,200
Rent$1,196
Ownership46.2%
Housing Units892

Climate

Avg Temp51°F (11°C)
Rain50.8 in/yr
Sunny Days276/yr
Elevation541 ft (165 m)
Population2,230
Population Density13 / sq mi
Elevation541 ft (165 m)
Coordinates-41.5667°, 173.5333°
TimezonePacific/Auckland
Country🇳🇿 New Zealand
State / ProvinceMarlborough
Average Temperature51°F (11°C)
January Average59°F (15°C)
July Average43°F (6°C)
Annual Precipitation50.8 inches (1,291 mm)
Annual Snowfall3.1 inches (8 cm)
Median Household Income$21,960
Median Age37.9 years

About Wairau Valley

Wairau Valley is a small town in New Zealand (Marlborough) with a population of 2,230. The city sits at an elevation of 541 feet (165 meters) above sea level. The average annual temperature is 51°F (11°C). Temperatures range from 59°F in January to 43°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 50.8 inches. The timezone is Pacific/Auckland.

Wairau Valley has a population of 2,230 with a density of 13 people per square mile, spread across 171.8 square miles. The median age is 37.9 years, 3% younger than the national median of 38.9.

Population

2,230
Total Population
13
People / sq mi
37.9yrs
Median Age
3% below New Zealand avg
171.8mi²
Land Area

Language Spoken at Home

Other Languages 100.0%

Social Characteristics

Wairau Valley vs New Zealand Average

The median household income in Wairau Valley is $21,960, which is 71% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $21,960 (below the $39,052 national figure). The average weekly wage is $422, 71% lower than the U.S. average. The unemployment rate is 4.2% (above the 3.6% US average). The area has 205 business establishments.

Income: Wairau Valley vs New Zealand

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$21,960
71% below New Zealand avg
Per Capita Income$21,960
Avg Weekly Wage$422

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.2%
17% above New Zealand avg
Establishments (County)205

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Walkability

The median home value in Wairau Valley is $239,200, 15% below the national median of $281,900. Monthly rent averages $1,196 (3% above the national average of $1,163). 46.2% of housing units are owner-occupied (below the 65.4% national rate). There are 892 total housing units in the city. The home price-to-income ratio is 10.9x, making homeownership a significant financial stretch for most families.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$239,200
15% below New Zealand avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,196
3% above New Zealand avg

Ownership & Property

Homeownership46.2%
Owner-Occupied46.2%
Renter-Occupied53.8%
Housing Units892

Property Tax

Wairau Valley experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 59°F in January while summers reach 43°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 276 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 50.8 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 3.1 inches of snow annually. The city sits at an elevation of 541 feet.

Temperature

59°F Jan (15°C) 43°F Jul (6°C)
Annual Average50.9°F
6% below New Zealand avg
January Average59°F (15°C)
July Average43°F (6°C)
Sunny Days276 days/yr

Geography

Elevation541 ft (165 m)
Area171.8 sq mi (445.0 km²)
Population Density13/sq mi
Coordinates-41.5667°N, 173.5333°W
TimezonePacific/Auckland

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 50.8"
34% above New Zealand avg
Snowfall 3.1"
Wettest Month (Aug) 4.84"
Driest Month (Feb) 2.44"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

1,048 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 55 km
Jul 21, 2013 38 km ESE of Blenheim, New Zealand M6.5 69 km
Apr 24, 2015 73 km S of Wakefield, New Zealand M6.1 70 km
May 27, 1992 21 km WSW of Blenheim, New Zealand M6.0 17 km
Feb 10, 1990 90 km N of Amberley, New Zealand M6.0 106 km
Jul 20, 2013 38 km ESE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.9 71 km
Aug 16, 2013 26 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.9 47 km
Aug 16, 2013 30 km ESE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.9 62 km
Mar 22, 1995 27 km N of Picton, New Zealand M5.8 71 km
Feb 10, 1990 90 km N of Amberley, New Zealand M5.7 116 km
Feb 15, 2023 55 km NW of Raumati Beach, New Zealand M5.7 141 km
Oct 4, 1990 25 km SE of Brooklyn, New Zealand M5.6 119 km
Jul 18, 2013 38 km E of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.5 73 km
Aug 16, 2013 30 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.5 53 km
Jan 5, 2017 36 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.4 53 km
Aug 16, 2013 25 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.4 51 km
Jan 20, 2005 16 km SE of Upper Hutt, New Zealand M5.3 145 km
Jul 21, 2013 34 km E of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.3 69 km
May 4, 2002 66 km W of Wakefield, New Zealand M5.2 108 km
Aug 29, 1996 74 km N of Amberley, New Zealand M5.2 121 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Tsunami History

5 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 127 km
2016 OFF EAST COAST OF SOUTH ISLAND Earthquake 6.5 m 2 136 km
2013 WELLINGTON Earthquake 0.1 m 55 km
2013 COOK STRAIT Earthquake 0.1 m 69 km
1855 WHARANUI Earthquake 61 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 59°F (15°C) 3.4 in
February 62°F (17°C) 2.4 in Warmest, Driest
March 59°F (15°C) 3.2 in
April 54°F (12°C) 3.5 in
May 48°F (9°C) 3.6 in
June 44°F (6°C) 3.4 in
July 43°F (6°C) 4.1 in Coldest
August 45°F (7°C) 4.8 in Wettest
September 48°F (9°C) 4.0 in
October 52°F (11°C) 4.0 in
November 56°F (13°C) 3.2 in
December 59°F (15°C) 3.1 in

Wairau Valley has a seasonal temperature swing of 19°F / from 43°F in July to 62°F in February. Total annual precipitation is 42.8 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.8") and February the driest (2.4").

View full weather details →

Schools in Wairau Valley

1 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).

School Level Enrollment Teachers Student/Teacher
Wairau Valley School
View full schools details →

Radio Stations near Wairau Valley

1 stations within ~55 km.

Station Genre Quality
Brian FM 105.6 Nelson NZ AAC 128 kbps

Monuments in Wairau Valley

1 monuments within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

historic water trough

Ski Resorts Near Wairau Valley

1 ski resorts within range.

Resort Slopes (km) Lifts Peak (m) Price Season Night Park
Rainbow Ski Area 0.0 $0

Airports Near Wairau Valley

7 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
Nelson AirportNSNMedium Airport
Woodbourne AirportBHEMedium Airport
Cape Campbell airstripSmall Airport
Molesworth AirportSmall Airport
Motueka AirportMZPSmall Airport
Omaka Blenheim AirportSmall Airport
Picton AerodromePCNSmall Airport

Churches & Religious Organizations in Wairau Valley

1 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).

NameAddress
Church of the Good Shepherd Wairau Valley

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Wairau Valley

What is the population of Wairau Valley?

Wairau Valley has a population of 2,230 residents and is located in New Zealand. The population density is 13 people per square mile, spread across 171.8 square miles. The median age of residents is 37.9 years.

Is Wairau Valley expensive to live in?

The median household income is $21,960, 71% below the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $239,200 (15% below the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $1,196 per month. The home price-to-income ratio is 10.9x, which means housing is a stretch relative to local earnings.

What is the weather like in Wairau Valley?

Wairau Valley has a four-season climate with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winter temperatures average 59°F in January, while summers reach an average of 43°F in July. The area receives 276 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 50.8 inches, with 3.1 inches of snow.

How is the job market in Wairau Valley?

Wairau Valley has a healthy job market with an unemployment rate of 4.2%, near the national average of 3.6%. The average weekly wage is $422. There are 205 business establishments in the area.

How much does housing cost in Wairau Valley?

The median home value in Wairau Valley is $239,200. For renters, the median monthly rent is $1,196. The homeownership rate is 46.2%.

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