Woodbourne Homestead is a large timber house built in the early 1850s by sheep farmer Henry Godfrey. In 2010, it was listed as a Historic Place Category 1 according to Heritage New Zealand.[5]
Demographics
Woodbourne is defined by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement and covers 3.79km2 (1.46sqmi).[2] It had an estimated population of 520 as of June 2025,[3] with a population density of 137 people per km2. It is part of the Woodbourne statistical area.[2]
Woodbourne settlement had a population of 582 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 180 people (44.8%) since the 2013 census, and a decrease of 93 people (−13.8%) since the 2006 census. There were 159 households, comprising 333 males and 246 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.35 males per female, with 132 people (22.7%) aged under 15 years, 237 (40.7%) aged 15 to 29, 180 (30.9%) aged 30 to 64, and 21 (3.6%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 85.6% European/Pākehā, 19.1% Māori, 2.6% Pasifika, 3.6% Asian, and 3.6% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 60.8% had no religion, 28.9% were Christian, 1.5% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.5% were Buddhist and 3.6% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 60 (13.3%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 42 (9.3%) people had no formal qualifications. 45 people (10.0%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 333 (74.0%) people were employed full-time, 42 (9.3%) were part-time, and 9 (2.0%) were unemployed.[6]
Woodbourne statistical area
The statistical area, which also includes Marlborough Ridge and Fairhall, covers 76.13km2 (29.39sqmi).[2] It had an estimated population of 1,820 as of June 2025,[7] with a population density of 24 people per km2.
Before the 2023 census, the statistical area had a larger boundary, covering 80.15km2 (30.95sqmi).[2] Using that boundary, Woodbourne had a population of 2,094 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 441 people (26.7%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 180 people (9.4%) since the 2006 census. There were 720 households, comprising 1,083 males and 1,011 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.07 males per female. The median age was 39.3 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 420 people (20.1%) aged under 15 years, 426 (20.3%) aged 15 to 29, 894 (42.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 354 (16.9%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 91.8% European/Pākehā, 11.6% Māori, 1.9% Pasifika, 2.3% Asian, and 2.6% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 15.5, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 54.6% had no religion, 37.0% were Christian, 0.4% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.3% were Hindu, 0.4% were Buddhist and 2.4% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 420 (25.1%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 210 (12.5%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $42,900, compared with $31,800 nationally. 399 people (23.8%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 978 (58.4%) people were employed full-time, 294 (17.6%) were part-time, and 24 (1.4%) were unemployed.[8]
Notable people
Fanny Arden (née Godfrey), painter, daughter of Henry Godfrey.[9]
