Dovedale, New Zealand

Dovedale locality covers 68.39 km² (26.41 sq mi).^[4] It is part of the larger Upper Moutere statistical area.^[6]

Dovedale had a population of 198 in the 2023 New Zealand census, a decrease of 9 people (−4.3%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 9 people (4.8%) since the 2013 census. There were 96 males and 102 females in 72 dwellings.^[8] 1.5% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 47.4 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 33 people (16.7%) aged under 15 years, 24 (12.1%) aged 15 to 29, 105 (53.0%) aged 30 to 64, and 33 (16.7%) aged 65 or older.^[5]

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 93.9% European (Pākehā), 6.1% Māori, 1.5% Pasifika, 3.0% Asian, and 3.0% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 97.0%, Māori by 1.5%, and other languages by 7.6%. No language could be spoken by 1.5% (e.g. too young to talk). The percentage of people born overseas was 16.7, compared with 28.8% nationally.^[5]

Religious affiliations were 19.7% Christian, and 1.5% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 60.6%, and 16.7% of people did not answer the census question.^[5]

Of those at least 15 years old, 33 (20.0%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 105 (63.6%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 27 (16.4%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $38,300, compared with $41,500 nationally. 12 people (7.3%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 90 (54.5%) full-time and 24 (14.5%) part-time.^[5]

Dovedale School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students,^[9] with a roll of 21 as of July 2026.^[10] The first school in Dovedale opened in 1869. It was replaced by the current school in 1938.^[11][12]