Earnscleugh is a small settlement and rural community, based alongside the Earnscleugh River in the Central Otago District, in the Otago region of New Zealand's South Island.[3]
Earnscleugh | |
|---|---|
Rural community | |
 | |
| Coordinates: 45°13′30″S 169°19′26″E / 45.225°S 169.324°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Otago |
| Territorial authority | Central Otago District |
| Ward | Vincent Ward |
| Community | Vincent Community |
| Electorates |
|
| Government | |
| • Territorial authority | Central Otago District Council |
| • Regional council | Otago Regional Council |
| • Mayor of Central Otago | Tamah Alley |
| • Southland MP | Joseph Mooney |
| • Te Tai Tonga MP | Tākuta Ferris |
| Area | |
• Total | 391.85 km2 (151.29 sq mi) |
| Population (June 2024)[2] | |
• Total | 850 |
| • Density | 2.2/km2 (5.6/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+12 (NZST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+13 (NZDT) |
| Local iwi | Ngāi Tahu |
History
edit19th century
editThe Earnscleugh Station farm was established in the area in 1862. Surveyor John Turnbull Thomson named it after Earnscleugh Water in south-east Scotland.[7]
William Fraser ran the station between 1862 and 1893, first as farm manager and later as owner-operator. Rabbits were introduced to the farm in 1866 and infested the property. The property was abandoned to the Crown in 1985.[7]
Dredging began in the area in 1863. The Earnscleugh Tailings Track has New Zealand's only complete record of dredging activity.[8]
20th century
editSteven Spain farmed the Earnscleugh Station between 1902 and 1948, hiring rabbiters to try to bring the rabbit population under control. Further rabbit outbreaks were recorded, under various station owners, in 1948, the 1970s, and from 1981.[7]
A Government-supported rabbit eradication programme, established in 1990, has kept the rabbit population under control since the late 1990s.[7]
21st century
editEarnscleugh was affected by flooding in January 2021.[9]
A tractor operator died in an incident later the same month.[6]
Demographics
editEarnscleugh statistical area covers 391.85 km2 (151.29 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 850 as of June 2024,[2] with a population density of 2.2 people per km2.
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 576 | — |
| 2013 | 609 | +0.80% |
| 2018 | 699 | +2.79% |
| Source: [10] | ||
The statistical area had a population of 699 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 90 people (14.8%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 123 people (21.4%) since the 2006 census. There were 252 households, comprising 378 males and 321 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.18 males per female. The median age was 47.1 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 108 people (15.5%) aged under 15 years, 120 (17.2%) aged 15 to 29, 345 (49.4%) aged 30 to 64, and 129 (18.5%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 89.7% European/Pākehā, 5.6% Māori, 7.7% Pasifika, 2.1% Asian, and 1.7% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 19.7, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 53.2% had no religion, 39.5% were Christian, 0.4% were Buddhist and 0.9% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 141 (23.9%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 93 (15.7%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $35,200, compared with $31,800 nationally. 117 people (19.8%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 354 (59.9%) people were employed full-time, 120 (20.3%) were part-time, and 9 (1.5%) were unemployed.[10]
References
edit- ^ a b "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
- ^ a b "Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
- ^ Harriss, Gavin (July 2021). Earnscleugh, Otago (Map). NZ Topo Map.
- ^ "Vineyard's appeal in case against driller fails". Allied Press. Otago Daily Times. 15 October 2020.
- ^ "Pacific workers could be too late for Central Otago orchards". Allied Press. Otago Daily Times. 27 November 2020.
- ^ a b Morgan, Jared (23 January 2021). "Tractor operator dies after accident". Allied Press. Otago Daily Times.
- ^ a b c d "Earnscleugh Station History". earnscleughstation.co.nz. Earnscleugh Station.
- ^ "Earnscleugh Tailings Track". doc.govt.nz. Department of Conservation.
- ^ "Holidaymakers urged to check roads, growers count cost". Allied Press. Otago Daily Times. 3 January 2021.
- ^ a b "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Earnscleugh (345200). 2018 Census place summary: Earnscleugh