Cave, New Zealand
Town in Canterbury, New Zealand
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Cave is a town located in the Timaru District, South Island, New Zealand. It is approximately 23 kilometres (14 mi) north-west of Timaru on State Highway 8. St. David's Memorial Church was commissioned by Thomas Burnett and designed by Herbert W. Hall. Built in 1930, it is registered as a category I heritage building with Heritage New Zealand.[5]
Cave | |
|---|---|
town | |
St. David's Memorial Church | |
 Interactive map of Cave | |
| Coordinates: 44°19′S 170°57′E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Canterbury |
| Territorial authority | Timaru District |
| Ward | Pleasant Point-Temuka |
| Community | Pleasant Point |
| Electorates |
|
| Government | |
| • Territorial authority | Timaru District Council |
| • Regional council | Environment Canterbury |
| • Mayor of Timaru | Nigel Bowen[1] |
| • Waitaki MP | Miles Anderson |
| • Te Tai Tonga MP | Tākuta Ferris[2] |
| Area | |
• Total | 1.24 km2 (0.48 sq mi) |
| Population (June 2025)[4] | |
• Total | 100 |
| • Density | 81/km2 (210/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+12 (New Zealand Standard Time) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+13 (New Zealand Daylight Time) |
| Postcode | 7930 |
| Local iwi | Ngāi Tahu |
| Website | timaru.govt.nz |
Although the name suggests otherwise, there are no caves for the public to explore in Cave. The town was named Cave after several limestone caves in the wider area.[citation needed]
Demographics
Cave is described as a rural settlement by Statistics New Zealand, and covers 1.24 km2 (0.48 sq mi).[3] It had an estimated population of 100 as of June 2025,[4] with a population density of 81 people per km2. The settlement is part of the larger Levels Valley statistical area.[6]
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 78 | — |
| 2013 | 81 | +0.54% |
| 2018 | 78 | −0.75% |
| Source: [7] | ||
Cave had a population of 78 at the 2018 New Zealand census, a decrease of 3 people (−3.7%) since the 2013 census, and unchanged since the 2006 census. There were 36 households, comprising 42 males and 36 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.17 males per female. The median age was 54.6 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 9 people (11.5%) aged under 15 years, 9 (11.5%) aged 15 to 29, 48 (61.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 12 (15.4%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 96.2% European/Pākehā, 3.8% Māori, and 3.8% Asian. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 53.8% had no religion, 34.6% were Christian, and 3.8% were Buddhist.
Of those at least 15 years old, 6 (8.7%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 24 (34.8%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $26,500, compared with $31,800 nationally. 9 people (13.0%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 33 (47.8%) people were employed full-time, and 12 (17.4%) were part-time.[7]