Driest Cities in New Zealand

Top 100 cities ranked by driest cities

Largest Cities Smallest Cities Most Dense Least Dense Highest Income Lowest Income Lowest Unemployment Highest Unemployment Lowest Poverty Highest Poverty Highest Rent Lowest Rent Most Educated Youngest Cities Oldest Cities Safest Cities Highest Crime Warmest Cities Coldest Cities Rainiest Cities Driest Cities

All Countries · New Zealand

Driest Cities — New Zealand

1 Oamaru F7 21.6"

2 Timaru E9 23.4"

3 Alexandra F7 24.1"

4 Ashburton E9 27.1"

5 Allenton E9 27.1"

6 Redwoodtown F4 29.5"

7 Witherlea F4 29.5"

8 Springlands F4 29.5"

9 Blenheim F4 29.5"

10 Cromwell F7 32.9"

11 Wellington G2 33.9"

12 Hataitai G2 33.9"

13 Ngaio G2 33.9"

14 Wainuiomata G2 33.9"

15 Homedale G2 33.9"

16 Te Aro G2 33.9"

17 Newtown G2 33.9"

18 Island Bay G2 33.9"

19 Mount Cook G2 33.9"

20 Riccarton E9 34.2"

21 Christchurch E9 34.2"

22 Rangiora E9 34.2"

23 Prebbleton E9 34.2"

24 Casebrook E9 34.2"

25 Wigram E9 34.2"

26 Addington E9 34.2"

27 Merivale E9 34.2"

28 Woodend E9 34.2"

29 Burnside E9 34.2"

30 Bryndwr E9 34.2"

31 Burwood E9 34.2"

32 Halswell E9 34.2"

33 Hoon Hay E9 34.2"

34 Lincoln E9 34.2"

35 Parklands E9 34.2"

36 Bishopdale E9 34.2"

37 Kaiapoi E9 34.2"

38 Hornby E9 34.2"

39 Sydenham E9 34.2"

40 Rolleston E9 34.2"

41 New Brighton E9 34.2"

42 Redwood E9 34.2"

43 Avonhead E9 34.2"

44 Cashmere E9 34.2"

45 Ilam E9 34.2"

46 Upper Riccarton E9 34.2"

47 Shirley E9 34.2"

48 Somerfield E9 34.2"

49 Mairehau E9 34.2"

50 Papanui E9 34.2"

51 Spreydon E9 34.2"

52 North East Valley F7 34.8"

53 Dunedin F7 34.8"

54 Saint Kilda F7 34.8"

55 Mosgiel F7 34.8"

56 Marton F3 38.9"

57 Gore F8 39.2"

58 East Gore F8 39.2"

59 Whanganui F3 40.7"

60 Papatowai F7 41.0"

61 Invercargill F8 46.4"

62 Rosedale F8 46.4"

63 Dannevirke F3 47.2"

64 Motueka TAS 49.3"

65 Nelson F5 50.8"

66 Wanaka F7 51.3"

67 Dargaville F6 52.8"

68 Karori G2 52.8"

69 Akina F2 53.8"

70 Flaxmere F2 53.8"

71 Raureka F2 53.8"

72 Mahora F2 53.8"

73 Hastings F2 53.8"

74 Napier F2 53.8"

75 Taradale F2 53.8"

76 Havelock North F2 53.8"

77 Onekawa F2 53.8"

78 Taupo G1 56.4"

79 Kerikeri F6 58.5"

80 Richmond TAS 59.6"

81 Stoke F5 59.6"

82 Hawera F9 59.9"

83 Solway G2 60.9"

84 Masterton G2 60.9"

85 Carterton G2 60.9"

86 Albany E7 67.3"

87 Dairy Flat E7 67.3"

88 Oteha Valley E7 67.3"

89 Browns Bay E7 67.3"

90 Orewa E7 67.3"

91 Warkworth E7 67.3"

92 Stratford F9 67.8"

93 Whitianga G1 68.7"

94 Queenstown F7 69.7"

95 Morrinsville G1 70.1"

96 Waikanae G2 70.1"

97 Paraparaumu G2 70.1"

98 Epuni G2 70.1"

99 Taita G2 70.1"

100 Waterloo G2 70.1"

The driest cities in New Zealand receive the least annual precipitation, often characterized by arid landscapes and abundant sunshine. Oamaru receives just 21.6 inches of precipitation annually.

Dry climates offer benefits including more sunny days, less seasonal affective disorder, lower humidity, and reduced mold and allergen concerns. These cities are often located in the desert Southwest or other arid regions with dramatic natural landscapes.

Water management is a critical concern for the driest cities, many of which rely on distant water sources, desalination, or strict conservation measures. As populations grow in these areas, sustainable water use and drought resilience become increasingly important priorities.

Did You Know?

1. Oamaru gets just 21.6" of precipitation per year — less than many cities get in a single month.
2. Most of the driest cities are in the desert Southwest, where evaporation often exceeds precipitation by a factor of 10 or more.
3. Water conservation is a way of life in these cities, with many implementing xeriscaping requirements and water usage restrictions.

Browse Rankings by Region

New Zealand — By Region

Auckland Bay of Plenty Canterbury Hawke's Bay Region Manawatu-Wanganui Northland Otago Taranaki Region Waikato Region Wellington Region

By Country

Afghanistan Albania Algeria Angola Argentina Armenia Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bangladesh Belarus Belgium Benin Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Brazil Brunei Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Colombia Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czechia Democratic Republic of the Congo Denmark Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Estonia Ethiopia Finland France Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Greece Guadeloupe Guatemala Guinea Guinea-Bissau Haiti Honduras Hong Kong Hungary India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Israel Italy Ivory Coast Jamaica Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Laos Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Lithuania Luxembourg Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Mali Malta Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Moldova Mongolia Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nepal New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria North Korea North Macedonia Norway Oman Pakistan Palestinian Territory Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Republic of the Congo Reunion Romania Russia Rwanda Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Somalia South Africa South Korea South Sudan Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Sweden Switzerland Syria Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand The Netherlands Togo Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Uruguay Uzbekistan Venezuela Vietnam Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe