West Plains is a locality in the Southland Region of New Zealand, northwest of Invercargill and north of Otatara. Ōreti River and its tributary Makarewa River flow through the plains.[3] It is part of the Southland Plains.
West Plains | |
|---|---|
Locality | |
 | |
| Coordinates: 46°22′08″S 168°18′43″E / 46.369°S 168.312°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Southland region |
| Territorial authority | Invercargill |
| Electorates |
|
| Government | |
| • Territorial authority | Southland District Council |
| • Regional council | Southland Regional Council |
| • Mayor of Southland | Rob Scott |
| • Invercargill MP | Penny Simmonds |
| • Te Tai Tonga MP | Tākuta Ferris |
| Area | |
• Total | 87.87 km2 (33.93 sq mi) |
| Population (June 2024)[2] | |
• Total | 1,800 |
| • Density | 20/km2 (53/sq mi) |
| Local iwi | Ngāi Tahu |
Demographics
editWest Plains-Makarewa statistical area covers 87.87 km2 (33.93 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 1,800 as of June 2024,[2] with a population density of 20 people per km2.
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 1,365 | — |
| 2013 | 1,509 | +1.44% |
| 2018 | 1,608 | +1.28% |
| Source: [4] | ||
West Plains-Makarewa had a population of 1,608 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 99 people (6.6%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 243 people (17.8%) since the 2006 census. There were 594 households, comprising 852 males and 756 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.13 males per female. The median age was 45.5 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 297 people (18.5%) aged under 15 years, 207 (12.9%) aged 15 to 29, 873 (54.3%) aged 30 to 64, and 231 (14.4%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 94.0% European/Pākehā, 11.8% Māori, 2.1% Pasifika, 1.7% Asian, and 1.7% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 7.6, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 52.1% had no religion, 37.9% were Christian, 0.6% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.6% were Buddhist and 0.7% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 174 (13.3%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 345 (26.3%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $37,000, compared with $31,800 nationally. 249 people (19.0%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 756 (57.7%) people were employed full-time, 237 (18.1%) were part-time, and 30 (2.3%) were unemployed.[4]
Education
editWest Plains School was established c.1882.[5] It was merged to Grasmere School in January 2005.[6]
References
edit- ^ a b "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
- ^ a b "Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
- ^ Harriss, Gavin (November 2021). "NZ Topo Map" (Map). West-Plains, Southland.
- ^ a b "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. West Plains-Makarewa (360500). 2018 Census place summary: West Plains-Makarewa
- ^ "West Plains School". Invercargill Archives. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
- ^ Mallard, Trevor (10 June 2004). "Merger of Grasmere School (3958), Waikiwi School (4039) and West Plains School (4051)". New Zealand Gazette.
External links
edit- West Plains in The Cyclopedia of New Zealand (1905)