Palmerston, New Zealand

Palmerston is a town in the Waitaki District of the South Island of New Zealand. It is the largest town in the Waihemo Ward of the Waitaki District, with a population of 948 people in 2018.[3]

For the city in New Zealand's North Island, see Palmerston North.

Palmerston
Town
Palmerston Town Hall
Coordinates: 45.484026°S 170.715265°E / -45.484026; 170.715265
CountryNew Zealand
RegionOtago
Territorial authorityWaitaki District
WardWaihemo Ward
Government
 • Local authorityWaitaki District Council
 • Regional councilOtago Regional Council
Area
[1]
 • Total8.77 km2 (3.39 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2021)[2]
 • Total1,020
 • Density120/km2 (300/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+12 (NZST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+13 (NZDT)
Local iwiNgāi Tahu

Demographics

Palmerston is described by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement. It covers 8.77 km2 (3.39 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 1,020 as of June 2021,[2] with a population density of 116 people per km2.

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
2006921—    
2013891−0.47%
2018948+1.25%
Source: [4]

Palmerston had a population of 948 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 57 people (6.4%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 27 people (2.9%) since the 2006 census. There were 429 households. There were 468 males and 480 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.97 males per female. The median age was 50.9 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 147 people (15.5%) aged under 15 years, 114 (12.0%) aged 15 to 29, 399 (42.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 291 (30.7%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 91.8% European/Pākehā, 14.6% Māori, 1.3% Pacific peoples, 1.9% Asian, and 1.9% other ethnicities (totals add to more than 100% since people could identify with multiple ethnicities).

The proportion of people born overseas was 8.9%, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people objected to giving their religion, 51.9% had no religion, 38.9% were Christian, 0.3% were Buddhist and 1.9% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 72 (9.0%) people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 246 (30.7%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $22,800, compared with $31,800 nationally. 87 people (10.9%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 291 (36.3%) people were employed full-time, 138 (17.2%) were part-time, and 27 (3.4%) were unemployed.[4]

Education

Palmerston School is a contributing primary school catering for years 1 to 6[5] with a roll of 102 students. Palmerston School was operating in 1866.[6]

East Otago High School is a school for years 7 to 13[7] with a roll of 161 students. It was preceded by Palmerston District High School in 1877, with a new building constructed in 1886.[8] East Otago High School opened as a replacement in 1969.[9]

Both schools are coeducational. Rolls are as of March 2022.[10]

Geographics

Palmerston stands near the banks of the Waihemo / Shag River, five kilometres inland from the Pacific coast. Between it and the sea stands the lone hill of Puketapu (Māori for sacred hill, known by Southerners as Holy Hill), crowned with a monument to the 19th century Otago politician Sir John McKenzie.

References
  1. "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
  2. "Population estimate tables - NZ.Stat". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
  3. https://www.stats.govt.nz/tools/2018-census-place-summaries/palmerston
  4. "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Palmerston (344700). 2018 Census place summary: Palmerston
  5. Education Counts: Palmerston School
  6. "Education Board". Otago Daily Times. 11 May 1866.
  7. Education Counts: East Otago High School
  8. "Palmerston – Palmerston District High School". The Cyclopedia of New Zealand. Vol. Otago & Southland Provincial Districts. 1905.
  9. Campbell, Bill (18 December 2008). "Last run for school bus contractor". Otago Daily Times.
  10. "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 23 April 2022.

Sources
  • Anderson, A. (1983) When All the Moa-Ovens Grew Cold Dunedin, NZ: Otago Heritage Books
  • Anderson, A. (1998) The Welcome of Strangers Dunedin, NZ; University of Otago Press, with Dunedin City Council ISBN 1-877133-41-8 pb.
  • Anderson, A (and others) (1996) Shag River Mouth Canberra, Aus; The Australian National University. OCLC 34751263 ISBN 0-7315-0342-1.
  • Dann, C. & Peat, N. (1989). Dunedin, North and South Otago. Wellington, NZ: GP Books. ISBN 0-477-01438-0.
  • Entwisle, P. (2005) Taka a Vignette Life of William Tucker 1784-1817 Dunedin, NZ: Port Daniel Press. ISBN 0-473-10098-3.
  • Griffiths, G. (1982) In the Land of Dwindle River Dunedin, NZ: Otago Heritage Books.
  • Moore, C.W.S.(1958) Northern Approaches Dunedin, NZ: Otago Centennial Historical Committee.
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