Highbury, Palmerston North
Suburb of Palmerston North
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Highbury is a suburb of Palmerston North, New Zealand. The suburb is located northwest of Palmerston North Central (CBD). The area has the characteristics of a suburban area and had a resident population of 4,886 (2018).[3]
Highbury | |
|---|---|
Star Flats state apartments | |
 Interactive map of Highbury | |
| Coordinates: 40.365°S 175.583°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| City | Palmerston North |
| Local authority | Palmerston North City Council |
| Electoral ward |
|
| Area | |
| • Land | 209 ha (520 acres) |
| Population (June 2025)[2] | |
• Total | 4,810 |
| • Density | 2,300/km2 (5,960/sq mi) |
| Westbrook | Takaro | |
  Highbury  |
||
| Awapuni | West End |
Highbury's street name themes range from British place-names (Brighton, Somerset, Lancaster, Coventry, Brentwood) to those of settlers of Palmerston North (Monrad).
A local shopping centre is located on the corner of Highbury Avenue and Pembroke Street, and was revitalised by the Palmerston North city council in 2023.[4] A pouwhenua representing Rongomaraeroa was installed outside the shopping centre in September 2025.[5]
Highbury is part of the Palmerston North and Te Tai Hauāuru electorates.
Demographics
Highbury covers 2.09 km2 (0.81 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 4,810 as of June 2025,[2] with a population density of 2,301 people per km2.
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 4,605 | — |
| 2013 | 4,374 | −0.73% |
| 2018 | 4,866 | +2.15% |
| 2023 | 4,818 | −0.20% |
| Source: [3] | ||
Highbury had a population of 4,818 in the 2023 New Zealand census, a decrease of 48 people (−1.0%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 444 people (10.2%) since the 2013 census. There were 2,295 males, 2,502 females, and 24 people of other genders in 1,725 dwellings.[6] 2.9% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. There were 1,008 people (20.9%) aged under 15 years, 996 (20.7%) aged 15 to 29, 1,863 (38.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 954 (19.8%) aged 65 or older.[7]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 63.2% European (Pākehā); 35.1% Māori; 10.1% Pasifika; 11.1% Asian; 1.5% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 1.7% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 94.9%, Māori by 8.9%, Samoan by 2.0%, and other languages by 11.6%. No language could be spoken by 2.3% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.9%. The percentage of people born overseas was 17.1, compared with 28.8% nationally.[7]
Religious affiliations were 32.2% Christian, 1.4% Hindu, 3.4% Islam, 2.4% Māori religious beliefs, 0.8% Buddhist, 0.6% New Age, and 1.2% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 50.6%, and 7.5% of people did not answer the census question.[7]
Of those at least 15 years old, 540 (14.2%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 2,079 (54.6%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 1,200 (31.5%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. 138 people (3.6%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 1,692 (44.4%) full-time, 414 (10.9%) part-time, and 165 (4.3%) unemployed.[7]
Education
Transport
Palmerston North bus routes 103, 104, and 108 (to/from the Main Street Bus Hub) serve Highbury.[15]
Parks and Reserves
- Monrad Park
- Takaro Park
- Opie Reserve
- Marriner Reserve
- Part of the Kawau Stream Reserve
- Tui Reserve
- Pembroke Reserve
- Oriana Reserve
- Farnham Reserve