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.[5][6]
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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 |
| • Te Tai Tonga MP | Tākuta Ferris[2] |
| Area | |
• Total | 2.36 km2 (0.91 sq mi) |
| Population (June 2025)[4] | |
• 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.[4] Several neighbouring towns, such as Denniston, have become virtually ghost towns. In 1911 Granity's population was 589,[7] 641 in 1921[8] and 547 in 1956.[9] 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.[10] In 1902 it had a staff of 5.[11]
The name "Granity" was given to the town by gold prospectors, in reference to the large quantity of granite in the area.[12]
Demographics
Granity is described by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement and covers 2.36 km2 (0.91 sq mi).[3] It had an estimated population of 190 as of June 2025,[4] with a population density of 81 people per km2. It is part of the larger Buller Coalfields statistical area.
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 189 | — |
| 2013 | 201 | +0.88% |
| 2018 | 168 | −3.52% |
| Source: [13] | ||
Before the 2023 census, the settlement had a smaller boundary, covering 1.95 km2 (0.75 sq mi).[3] Using that boundary, Granity had a population of 168 at the 2018 New Zealand census, a decrease of 33 people (−16.4%) since the 2013 census, and a decrease of 21 people (−11.1%) since the 2006 census. There were 90 households, comprising 93 males and 75 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.24 males per female. The median age was 55.7 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 24 people (14.3%) aged under 15 years, 12 (7.1%) aged 15 to 29, 90 (53.6%) aged 30 to 64, and 42 (25.0%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 94.6% European/Pākehā, 12.5% Māori, 1.8% Pasifika, and 1.8% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 66.1% had no religion, 17.9% were Christian and 1.8% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 12 (8.3%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 45 (31.2%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $18,800, compared with $31,800 nationally. 9 people (6.2%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 45 (31.2%) people were employed full-time, 15 (10.4%) were part-time, and 6 (4.2%) were unemployed.[13]
Buller Coalfields statistical area
Buller Coalfields statistical area, which also includes Hector and Ngakawau and Waimangaroa, covers 498.52 km2 (192.48 sq mi).[3] It had an estimated population of 960 as of June 2025,[14] with a population density of 1.9 people per km2.
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 939 | — |
| 2013 | 987 | +0.71% |
| 2018 | 909 | −1.63% |
| Source: [15] | ||
Buller Coalfields had a population of 909 at the 2018 New Zealand census, a decrease of 78 people (−7.9%) since the 2013 census, and a decrease of 30 people (−3.2%) since the 2006 census. There were 447 households, comprising 480 males and 429 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.12 males per female. The median age was 54.0 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 135 people (14.9%) aged under 15 years, 84 (9.2%) aged 15 to 29, 486 (53.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 204 (22.4%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 90.1% European/Pākehā, 11.9% Māori, 1.3% Pasifika, 1.7% Asian, and 3.6% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 11.9, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 60.4% had no religion, 24.8% were Christian, 0.3% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.3% were Buddhist and 1.7% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 78 (10.1%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 231 (29.8%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $19,600, compared with $31,800 nationally. 57 people (7.4%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 264 (34.1%) people were employed full-time, 93 (12.0%) were part-time, and 39 (5.0%) were unemployed.[15]
Economy
Education
Granity School opened in 1879 in Ngakawau and was later re-located to a site between Ngakawau and Granity. In 1901 it had a roll of 100 pupils.[16] The school is a co-educational full primary school (years 1–8), with a roll of 30 as of October 2025.[17][18] 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.[19]
Biodiversity
The very rare and critically endangered cobble skink is only known to occur on a short stretch of pebbled coast at Granity.[20]
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"
