Pareora

Pareora is described as a rural settlement by Statistics New Zealand, and covers 4.33 km² (1.67 sq mi).^[3] It had an estimated population of 480 as of June 2025,^[4] with a population density of 111 people per km². The settlement is part of the larger Fairview statistical area.^[5]

Pareora had a population of 465 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 33 people (7.6%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 18 people (4.0%) since the 2006 census. There were 180 households, comprising 240 males and 222 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.08 males per female, with 105 people (22.6%) aged under 15 years, 87 (18.7%) aged 15 to 29, 219 (47.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 51 (11.0%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 86.5% European/Pākehā, 16.8% Māori, 5.2% Pasifika, 1.3% Asian, and 2.6% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 60.0% had no religion, 24.5% were Christian, 1.3% had Māori religious beliefs and 1.3% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 15 (4.2%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 138 (38.3%) people had no formal qualifications. 12 people (3.3%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 189 (52.5%) people were employed full-time, 45 (12.5%) were part-time, and 18 (5.0%) were unemployed.^[6]

Pareora East School opened in 1907. It became a campus of Timaru South School in 2005. In 2018, it was closed due to a falling roll.^[7][8]