West Plains, New Zealand

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.[1] It is part of the Southland Plains.

West Plains
Locality
Coordinates: 46.369°S 168.312°E / -46.369; 168.312
CountryNew Zealand
RegionSouthland
Territorial authorityInvercargill
Government
 • Territorial AuthorityInvercargill City Council
 • Regional councilSouthland Regional Council
Local iwiNgāi Tahu

Demographics

West Plains-Makarewa statistical area covers 87.87 km2 (33.93 sq mi)[2] and had an estimated population of 1,730 as of June 2022,[3] with a population density of 20 people per km2.

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
20061,365—    
20131,509+1.44%
20181,608+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. There were 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% Pacific peoples, 1.7% Asian, and 1.7% other ethnicities (totals add to more than 100% since people could identify with multiple ethnicities).

The proportion of people born overseas was 7.6%, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people objected to giving their religion, 52.1% had no religion, 37.9% were Christian, 0.6% were Buddhist and 1.3% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 174 (13.3%) people had a bachelor 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

West Plains School was established c.1882.[5] It was merged to Grasmere School in January 2005.[6]

References
  1. Harriss, Gavin (November 2021). "NZ Topo Map" (Map). West-Plains, Southland.
  2. "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  3. "Population estimate tables - NZ.Stat". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
  4. "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. West Plains-Makarewa (360500). 2018 Census place summary: West Plains-Makarewa
  5. "West Plains School". Invercargill Archives. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  6. Mallard, Trevor (10 June 2004). "Merger of Grasmere School (3958), Waikiwi School (4039) and West Plains School (4051)". New Zealand Gazette.
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