Waimumu
Rural settlement in Southland region, New Zealand
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Waimumu is a rural settlement in the Gore District and Southland Region of New Zealand's South Island. It is located southwest of Gore, about 14 kilometres from the main township.[6]
- Southland
- Te Tai Tonga (Māori)
Waimumu | |
|---|---|
Rural settlement | |
 Interactive map of Waimumu | |
| Coordinates: 46.127°S 168.817°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Southland region |
| Territorial authorities of New Zealand | Gore District |
| Ward | Kaiwera-Waimumu Ward |
| Electorates |
|
| Government | |
| • Territorial authority | Gore District Council |
| • Regional council | Southland Regional Council |
| • Mayor of Gore | Ben Bell[1] |
| • Southland MP | Joseph Mooney[2] |
| • Te Tai Tonga MP | Tākuta Ferris[3] |
| Area | |
• Total | 48.09 km2 (18.57 sq mi) |
| Population (2018 Census)[5] | |
• Total | 204 |
| • Density | 4.24/km2 (11.0/sq mi) |
The settlement hosts the Southern Field Days, a biennial agricultural trade show.[6] It is held across a 57-hectare (140-acre) site, attracting about 700 exhibitors and 40,000 attendees.[7]
History
Europeans began farming either side of the Waimumu Stream in the 19th century. By 1901, the Waimumu Hundreds settlement had 608 people, and a public school with 21 students which held Presbyterian church services every month.[8]
Gold was also discovered by boring, leading to the establishment of a steady gold-dredging industry. By 1906, some farming paddocks had been completely destroyed through gold dredging.[8]
The Southern Field Days began in 1982, on a local farm, with 60 exhibitors.[7]
In 2002, the New Zealand Government provided funding to the protect the unlogged area of the Māori-owned Hokonui-Waimumu block.[9] In 2005, the Waimumu Trust, which administers the land, unsuccessfully challenged a ban on exporting timber from the forest through the Waitangi Tribunal.[10]
Demographics
Waimumu is in an SA1 statistical area which covers 48.09 km2 (18.57 sq mi).[4] The SA1 area is part of the larger Waimumu-Kaiwera statistical area.
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 171 | — |
| 2013 | 198 | +2.12% |
| 2018 | 204 | +0.60% |
| Source: [5] | ||
The SA1 statistical area had a population of 204 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 6 people (3.0%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 33 people (19.3%) since the 2006 census. There were 75 households, comprising 108 males and 93 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.16 males per female. The median age was 43.7 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 39 people (19.1%) aged under 15 years, 30 (14.7%) aged 15 to 29, 105 (51.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 30 (14.7%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 98.5% European/Pākehā, 2.9% Māori, 1.5% Pasifika, and 1.5% Asian. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 35.3% had no religion, and 55.9% were Christian.
Of those at least 15 years old, 24 (14.5%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 24 (14.5%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $44,600, compared with $31,800 nationally. 42 people (25.5%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 111 (67.3%) people were employed full-time, 24 (14.5%) were part-time, and 3 (1.8%) were unemployed.[5]
Waimumu-Kaiwera statistical area
Waimumu-Kaiwera statistical area covers 648.02 km2 (250.20 sq mi).[4] It surrounds but does not include Mataura and borders Gore on the west, south and east. It had an estimated population of 1,580 as of June 2025,[11] with a population density of 2.4 people per km2.
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 1,233 | — |
| 2013 | 1,278 | +0.51% |
| 2018 | 1,302 | +0.37% |
| Source: [12] | ||
Waimumu-Kaiwera had a population of 1,302 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 24 people (1.9%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 69 people (5.6%) since the 2006 census. There were 474 households, comprising 693 males and 609 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.14 males per female. The median age was 41.4 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 288 people (22.1%) aged under 15 years, 213 (16.4%) aged 15 to 29, 633 (48.6%) aged 30 to 64, and 168 (12.9%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 95.6% European/Pākehā, 5.5% Māori, 1.2% Pasifika, 1.8% Asian, and 1.2% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 7.4, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 38.9% had no religion, 51.6% were Christian and 1.6% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 150 (14.8%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 231 (22.8%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $41,100, compared with $31,800 nationally. 213 people (21.0%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 621 (61.2%) people were employed full-time, 198 (19.5%) were part-time, and 12 (1.2%) were unemployed.[12]
Education
Waimumu School operated from 1888 to 1996.[13]