Granity
Town on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Granity is a small town on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island, 28 kilometres (17 mi) north-east of Westport on State Highway 67. Karamea is 68 kilometres (42 mi) further north.[6][7]
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Granity | |
|---|---|
Granity War Memorial | |
 Interactive map of Granity | |
| Coordinates: 41°37′47″S 171°51′13″E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | West Coast |
| District | Buller District |
| Ward | Seddon |
| Electorates | |
| Government | |
| • Territorial authority | Buller District Council |
| • Regional council | West Coast Regional Council |
| • Mayor of Buller | Chris Russell[1] |
| • West Coast-Tasman MP | Maureen Pugh[2] |
| • Te Tai Tonga MP | Tākuta Ferris[3] |
| Area | |
• Total | 2.36 km2 (0.91 sq mi) |
| Population (June 2025)[5] | |
• Total | 190 |
| • Density | 81/km2 (210/sq mi) |
The town is on a narrow strip of land between the Tasman Sea to the west and steep, mountains to the immediate east. Long known as a coal-mining town, the population declined as the industry waned. The population was 190 in June 2025.[5] Several neighbouring towns, such as Denniston, have become virtually ghost towns. In 1911 Granity's population was 589,[8] 641 in 1921[9] and 547 in 1956.[10] Granity had a railway station on the Westport-Ngākawau Line from 28 Feb 1892 until 16 May 1982, though closed to passengers from 14 October 1946.[11] In 1902 it had a staff of 5.[12]
The name "Granity" was given to the town by gold prospectors, in reference to the large quantity of granite in the area.[13]
Demographics
Granity is described by Stats NZ as a rural settlement which covers 2.36 km2 (0.91 sq mi).[4] It had an estimated population of 190 as of June 2025,[5] with a population density of 81 people per km2. It is part of the larger Buller Coalfields statistical area.[14]
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 189 | — |
| 2013 | 213 | +1.72% |
| 2018 | 180 | −3.31% |
| 2023 | 192 | +1.30% |
| The 2006 population is for a smaller area of 1.95 km2. Source: [15] | ||
Granity had a population of 192 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 12 people (6.7%) since the 2018 census, and a decrease of 21 people (−9.9%) since the 2013 census. There were 108 males and 87 females in 105 dwellings.[16] 3.1% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 58.5 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 21 people (10.9%) aged under 15 years, 18 (9.4%) aged 15 to 29, 99 (51.6%) aged 30 to 64, and 60 (31.2%) aged 65 or older.[17]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 92.2% European (Pākehā), 12.5% Māori, 1.6% Pasifika, and 6.2% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 100.0%, Māori by 1.6%, and other languages by 1.6%. The percentage of people born overseas was 10.9, compared with 28.8% nationally.[17]
Religious affiliations were 20.3% Christian, 3.1% New Age, and 1.6% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 60.9%, and 14.1% of people did not answer the census question.[17]
Of those at least 15 years old, 15 (8.8%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 99 (57.9%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 63 (36.8%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $24,300, compared with $41,500 nationally. 3 people (1.8%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 48 (28.1%) full-time, 24 (14.0%) part-time, and 9 (5.3%) unemployed.[17]
Buller Coalfields statistical area
Buller Coalfields statistical area, which also includes Hector and Ngakawau, Waimangaroa, Denniston, Millerton and Stockton, New Zealand, covers 498.52 km2 (192.48 sq mi).[18] It had an estimated population of 960 as of June 2025,[19] with a population density of 1.9 people per km2.
Buller Coalfields had a population of 963 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 54 people (5.9%) since the 2018 census, and a decrease of 24 people (−2.4%) since the 2013 census. There were 504 males, 453 females, and 3 people of other genders in 495 dwellings.[22] 3.1% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 58.1 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 105 people (10.9%) aged under 15 years, 84 (8.7%) aged 15 to 29, 501 (52.0%) aged 30 to 64, and 273 (28.3%) aged 65 or older.[20]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 91.3% European (Pākehā); 13.1% Māori; 1.6% Pasifika; 2.2% Asian; 0.3% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 5.6% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 99.1%, Māori by 2.2%, and other languages by 3.7%. No language could be spoken by 0.6% (e.g. too young to talk). The percentage of people born overseas was 12.8, compared with 28.8% nationally.[20]
Religious affiliations were 20.9% Christian, 0.3% Māori religious beliefs, 1.6% New Age, and 1.9% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 63.6%, and 11.5% of people did not answer the census question.[20]
Of those at least 15 years old, 87 (10.1%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 459 (53.5%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 312 (36.4%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $25,900, compared with $41,500 nationally. 36 people (4.2%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 297 (34.6%) full-time, 108 (12.6%) part-time, and 27 (3.1%) unemployed.[20]
Economy
Education
Granity School is a co-educational full primary school (years 1–8), with a roll of 30 as of July 2026.[24][25] The natural erosion of the beach, at a rate of 40 centimetres (16 in) per year, is threatening the school buildings, and a stopbank has resulted in the school grounds protruding further out onto the beach than adjoining properties.[26]
The school opened in 1880[27] in Ngakawau and was later re-located to a site between Ngakawau and Granity. In 1901 it had a roll of 100 pupils.[23] By 1925, it was Granity District High School.[28] It moved to a new site and buildings in 1939.[29]
A school was moved from Coal Creek, Mokihinui about 1905 to Seddonville to become Seddonville School.[30][31] It closed in 1981 with the students moving to Granity School.[31]
Waimangaroa School opened in 1879 and closed in 2012, with most of its students transferring to Granity School.[32]
Biodiversity
The very rare and critically endangered cobble skink is only known to occur on a short stretch of pebbled coast at Granity.[33]
Notable people
Notable people from Granity include:
- Bub Bridger, writer and performer
Gallery
The Lyric Theatre
Band rotunda
Fund-raising Centre - the community "op-shop"
