Southbridge, New Zealand
Southbridge | |
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Rural settlement | |
UTC+13 (NZDT) |
Southbridge is a small town on the Canterbury Plains in the South Island of New Zealand.[3] It is located 45 kilometres (28 mi) southwest of Christchurch, between Leeston, Dunsandel and the Rakaia River.
The town serves mainly as a centre for agricultural services, but also has nearly 70 small to medium-sized businesses, a swimming pool, tennis courts, Southbridge Primary School, and many other attractions.[citation needed]
On 13 July 1875, a
Ngāti Moki marae, a marae (tribal meeting ground) of Ngāi Tahu and its Te Taumutu Rūnanga branch, is located in Southbridge.[5] It includes Ngāti Moki wharenui (meeting house).[6]
Demographics
Southbridge is described by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement. It covers 2.22 km2 (0.86 sq mi).[1] It had an estimated population of 1,020 as of June 2023,[2] with a population density of 459 people per km2.
Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
---|---|---|
2006 | 738 | — |
2013 | 858 | +2.18% |
2018 | 906 | +1.09% |
Source: [7] |
The settlement had a population of 906 at the
Ethnicities were 92.7% European/Pākehā, 8.3% Māori, 1.7% Pasifika, 2.0% Asian, and 3.3% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 57.0% had no religion, 32.1% were Christian, 0.3% were Buddhist and 2.3% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 75 (10.6%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 162 (23.0%) people had no formal qualifications. 117 people (16.6%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 372 (52.8%) people were employed full-time, 123 (17.4%) were part-time, and 18 (2.6%) were unemployed.[7]
Southbridge statistical area
Southbridge statistical area surrounds and includes the settlement and covers 361.56 km2 (139.60 sq mi).[1] It had an estimated population of 2,720 as of June 2023,[8] with a population density of 7.5 people per km2.
Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
---|---|---|
2006 | 2,163 | — |
2013 | 2,430 | +1.68% |
2018 | 2,490 | +0.49% |
Source: [9] |
Southbridge had a population of 2,490 at the
Ethnicities were 88.2% European/Pākehā, 8.9% Māori, 2.3% Pasifika, 5.8% Asian, and 3.6% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 17.5, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 52.8% had no religion, 35.8% were Christian, 0.1% had Māori religious beliefs, 1.3% were Hindu, 0.2% were Muslim, 0.2% were Buddhist and 2.2% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 297 (15.2%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 405 (20.8%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $38,500, compared with $31,800 nationally. 357 people (18.3%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 1,137 (58.3%) people were employed full-time, 309 (15.8%) were part-time, and 36 (1.8%) were unemployed.[9]
Education
Southbridge School is a contributing primary school catering for years 1 to 6.[10] It had a roll of 132 as of February 2024.[11] The school was established in 1868.[12]
Southbridge District High School opened in 1903 and shared space with the primary school until a fire in 1924 destroyed the buildings. It was rebuilt on the same site, while the primary school moved across the road. The high school closed in 1981.[12]
Notable people
- Colonel Allen Bell (1870–1936), politician born in Southbridge
- Dan Carter (born 1982), rugby union player born Southbridge
- George Howes (1879–1946), entomologist born in Southbridge
- Pat McEvedy (1880–1935), rugby union player and administrator born in Southbridge
- Francie Turner (born 1992), coxswain who grew up in Southbridge[13]
- Mabel Rose Wilson (1883–1962), domestic worker and community leader[14]
References
- ^ a b c "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
- ^ a b "Subnational population estimates (RC, SA2), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023. (regional councils); "Subnational population estimates (TA, SA2), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023. (territorial authorities); "Subnational population estimates (urban rural), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023. (urban areas)
- ^ "Southbridge Community Profile". Statistics New Zealand. Archived from the original on 26 December 2005.
- ^ David Leitch and Brian Scott, Exploring New Zealand's Ghost Railways, revised edition (Wellington: Grantham House, 1998 [1995]), 70-1.
- ^ "Te Kāhui Māngai directory". tkm.govt.nz. Te Puni Kōkiri.
- ^ "Māori Maps". maorimaps.com. Te Potiki National Trust.
- ^ a b "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. 7026987 and 7026991–7026995.
- ^ "Population estimate tables - NZ.Stat". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
- ^ a b "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Southbridge (335400). 2018 Census place summary: Southbridge
- ^ Education Counts: Southbridge School
- ^ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
- ^ a b "History". Southbridge School. 18 March 2020.
- ^ "Southbridge cox steers for Rio". The Press. 27 July 2016. p. B16. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
- ^ "Mabel Rose Wilson". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
External links
- Southbridge at the Selwyn District Council