Craigieburn, New Zealand

Craigieburn is the name of a settlement and several geographic features in northwest Canterbury, in New Zealand's South Island.

Craigieburn
View from TranzAlpine train near Craigieburn
Coordinates: 43°06′S 171°52′E
Country	New Zealand
Region	Canterbury Region
District	Selwyn District
Ward	Malvern
Community	Malvern
Electorates	Selwyn Te Tai Tonga (Māori)
Government
• Territorial Authority	Selwyn District Council
• Regional council	Environment Canterbury
• Mayor of Selwyn	Sam Broughton
• Selwyn MP	Nicola Grigg
• Te Tai Tonga MP	Tākuta Ferris

The Craigieburn Range of mountains is located on the south banks of the Waimakariri River, south of Arthur's Pass. The Craigieburn Valley Ski Area is located on its slopes, as is the Craigieburn Forest Park. The ski slopes are within an hour and a half from Christchurch New Zealand.

The small Lake Hawdon lies immediately to the west of Craigieburn.

Fauna

During the summer months five species of grasshoppers can be found along the Craigieburn Range. They include Sigaus villosus which can be found along the ridgelines, Brachaspis nivalis which lives on the rocky scree, Sigaus australis, Paprides nitidus which both live in the alpine tussocklands and Phaulacridium marginale which can be found in the tussocklands below 1100 m.

Demographics

Craigieburn statistical area, which includes Arthur's Pass and Castle Hill Village, covers 3,407.52 km² (1,315.65 sq mi). It had an estimated population of 180 as of June 2024, with a population density of 0.05 people per km².

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
2006	198	—
2013	222	+1.65%
2018	159	−6.46%
Source:

Craigieburn had a population of 159 at the 2018 New Zealand census, a decrease of 63 people (−28.4%) since the 2013 census, and a decrease of 39 people (−19.7%) since the 2006 census. There were 81 households, comprising 93 males and 66 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.41 males per female. The median age was 45.8 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 18 people (11.3%) aged under 15 years, 36 (22.6%) aged 15 to 29, 81 (50.9%) aged 30 to 64, and 27 (17.0%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 90.6% European/Pākehā, 9.4% Māori, 1.9% Pasifika, 5.7% Asian, and 1.9% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 24.5, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 58.5% had no religion, 30.2% were Christian, 1.9% were Buddhist and 7.5% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 45 (31.9%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 15 (10.6%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $35,600, compared with $31,800 nationally. 21 people (14.9%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 87 (61.7%) people were employed full-time, 18 (12.8%) were part-time, and 3 (2.1%) were unemployed.