Fernridge, New Zealand

Fernridge is a small rural settlement located 4 km northwest of Masterton, New Zealand. The area has a mixture of farms, horticultural smallholdings and lifestyle blocks.

Fernridge
Locality
Map
Coordinates: 40°56′01″S 175°36′51″E / 40.9337°S 175.6142°E / -40.9337; 175.6142
CountryNew Zealand
RegionWellington Region
Territorial authorityMasterton District
Ward
  • Masterton/Whakaoriori General Ward
  • Masterton/Whakaoriori Māori Ward
Electorates
Government
 • Territorial AuthorityMasterton District Council
 • Regional councilGreater Wellington Regional Council
 • Mayor of MastertonGary Caffell
 • Wairarapa MPMike Butterick
 • Ikaroa-Rāwhiti MPCushla Tangaere-Manuel
Area
 • Total84.91 km2 (32.78 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2024)[2]
 • Total1,310
 • Density15/km2 (40/sq mi)

Demographics

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Upper Plain statistical area, which also includes Kaituna and Matahiwi, covers 84.91 km2 (32.78 sq mi).[1] It had an estimated population of 1,310 as of June 2024,[2] with a population density of 15 people per km2.

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
20061,044—    
20131,086+0.57%
20181,224+2.42%
Source: [3]

Before the 2023 census, the statistical area had a larger boundary, covering 85.23 km2 (32.91 sq mi).[1] Using that boundary, Upper Plain had a population of 1,224 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 138 people (12.7%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 180 people (17.2%) since the 2006 census. There were 438 households, comprising 639 males and 585 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.09 males per female. The median age was 46.9 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 249 people (20.3%) aged under 15 years, 156 (12.7%) aged 15 to 29, 576 (47.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 243 (19.9%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 93.4% European/Pākehā, 11.8% Māori, 2.2% Pasifika, 1.7% Asian, and 2.7% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 14.0, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 52.2% had no religion, 39.5% were Christian, 0.2% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.2% were Buddhist and 1.0% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 213 (21.8%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 174 (17.8%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $35,600, compared with $31,800 nationally. 195 people (20.0%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 483 (49.5%) people were employed full-time, 156 (16.0%) were part-time, and 21 (2.2%) were unemployed.[3]

Education

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Fernridge School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 6 students,[4][5] with a roll of 208 as of August 2024.[6]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Upper Plain (255400). 2018 Census place summary: Upper Plain
  4. ^ "Fernridge School Official School Website". fernridge.school.nz.
  5. ^ "Fernridge School Ministry of Education School Profile". educationcounts.govt.nz. Ministry of Education.
  6. ^ "Fernridge School Education Review Office Report". ero.govt.nz. Education Review Office.