Wairau Valley, New Zealand

Full City Profile

1.9 /5.0

D Poor

2,230 Population 13/sq mi density

541 ft Elevation 165 meters

51°F Avg Temperature 11°C

Overall

1.9 / 5.0

Below average overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education

C+

Economy

2.8 / 5.0

$21,960 median income, 4.2% unemployment

Affordability

1.0 / 5.0

$239,200 home value, $1,196/mo rent

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. The area gets 276 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 50.8 inches. The area receives 3.1 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

59°F Jan (15°C) 43°F Jul (6°C)

Annual Average	50.9°F
	6% below US avg
January Average	59°F (15°C)
July Average	43°F (6°C)
Sunny Days	276 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	541 ft (165 m)
Area	171.8 sq mi (445.0 km²)
Population Density	13/sq mi
Coordinates	-41.5667°N, 173.5333°W
Timezone	Pacific/Auckland

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 50.8"

34% above US 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").

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