West Plains, New Zealand
Locality in Southland region, New Zealand
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
West Plains is a locality in the Southland Region of New Zealand, northwest of Invercargill and north of Otatara. Ōreti River and its tributary Makarewa River flow through the plains.[6] It is part of the Southland Plains.
West Plains | |
|---|---|
Locality | |
 Interactive map of West Plains | |
| Coordinates: 46.369°S 168.312°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Southland region |
| Territorial authority | Invercargill |
| Electorates |
|
| Government | |
| • Territorial authority | Southland District Council |
| • Regional council | Southland Regional Council |
| • Mayor of Southland | Rob Scott[1] |
| • Invercargill MP | Penny Simmonds[2] |
| • Te Tai Tonga MP | Tākuta Ferris[3] |
| Area | |
• Total | 87.87 km2 (33.93 sq mi) |
| Population (June 2025)[5] | |
• Total | 1,810 |
| • Density | 20.6/km2 (53.4/sq mi) |
| Local iwi | Ngāi Tahu |
Demographics
West Plains-Makarewa statistical area covers 87.87 km2 (33.93 sq mi)[4] and had an estimated population of 1,810 as of June 2025,[5] with a population density of 21 people per km2.
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 1,365 | — |
| 2013 | 1,509 | +1.44% |
| 2018 | 1,608 | +1.28% |
| Source: [7] | ||
West Plains-Makarewa had a population of 1,608 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 99 people (6.6%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 243 people (17.8%) since the 2006 census. There were 594 households, comprising 852 males and 756 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.13 males per female. The median age was 45.5 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 297 people (18.5%) aged under 15 years, 207 (12.9%) aged 15 to 29, 873 (54.3%) aged 30 to 64, and 231 (14.4%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 94.0% European/Pākehā, 11.8% Māori, 2.1% Pasifika, 1.7% Asian, and 1.7% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 7.6, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 52.1% had no religion, 37.9% were Christian, 0.6% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.6% were Buddhist and 0.7% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 174 (13.3%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 345 (26.3%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $37,000, compared with $31,800 nationally. 249 people (19.0%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 756 (57.7%) people were employed full-time, 237 (18.1%) were part-time, and 30 (2.3%) were unemployed.[7]