Ashley, New Zealand

Ashley Rakahuri School is Ashley's only school, and was established in 1864.^[5] It is a state co-educational full primary, with 176 students (as of October 2025).^[6] The principal is Linda Horne.

Ashley is described by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement and covers 0.99 km² (0.38 sq mi).^[3] It had an estimated population of 410 as of June 2025,^[4] with a population density of 414 people per km². Ashley is part of the larger Ashley-Sefton statistical area.^[7]

Before the 2023 census, the settlement had a larger boundary, covering 4.66 km² (1.80 sq mi).^[3] Using that boundary, Ashley had a population of 312 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 51 people (19.5%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 90 people (40.5%) since the 2006 census. There were 108 households, comprising 153 males and 159 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.96 males per female. The median age was 35.5 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 81 people (26.0%) aged under 15 years, 60 (19.2%) aged 15 to 29, 138 (44.2%) aged 30 to 64, and 36 (11.5%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 95.2% European/Pākehā, 8.7% Māori, 2.9% Asian, and 2.9% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 73.1% had no religion, 20.2% were Christian, 1.0% had Māori religious beliefs and 1.0% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 21 (9.1%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 63 (27.3%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $34,100, compared with $31,800 nationally. 39 people (16.9%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 129 (55.8%) people were employed full-time, 57 (24.7%) were part-time, and 12 (5.2%) were unemployed.^[9]

Ashley-Sefton statistical area

Ashley-Sefton statistical area, which also includes Sefton, covers 86.91 km² (33.56 sq mi).^[3] It had an estimated population of 2,560 as of June 2025,^[10] with a population density of 29.5 people per km².

More information Year, Pop. ...

Historical population for Ashley-Sefton

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
2006	1,710	—
2013	1,953	+1.92%
2018	2,139	+1.84%
Source: [11]

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Ashley-Sefton had a population of 2,139 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 186 people (9.5%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 429 people (25.1%) since the 2006 census. There were 762 households, comprising 1,065 males and 1,074 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.99 males per female. The median age was 45.1 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 441 people (20.6%) aged under 15 years, 318 (14.9%) aged 15 to 29, 1,041 (48.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 339 (15.8%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 95.4% European/Pākehā, 6.6% Māori, 1.0% Pasifika, 1.8% Asian, and 1.5% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 13.7, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 57.2% had no religion, 33.7% were Christian, 0.3% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.3% were Muslim, 0.1% were Buddhist and 1.0% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 246 (14.5%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 354 (20.8%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $36,700, compared with $31,800 nationally. 351 people (20.7%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 891 (52.5%) people were employed full-time, 318 (18.7%) were part-time, and 42 (2.5%) were unemployed.^[11]

The average temperature in summer is 15.9 °C, and in winter is 7 °C.^[12]