Woodlands is a small town in the Southland region of New Zealand's South Island on the banks of the Waihopai River.[3] It is northeast of Invercargill between Dacre and Longbush. Other nearby settlements are Rakahouka to the northwest and Rimu and Waituna to the south.
Woodlands | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Coordinates: 46°21′18″S 168°33′00″E / 46.355°S 168.550°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Southland region |
| Territorial authorities of New Zealand | Southland District |
| Ward | Waihopai-Toetoe Ward |
| Community board | Waihopai-Toetoe Community |
| Electorates |
|
| Government | |
| • Territorial authority | Southland District Council |
| • Regional council | Southland Regional Council |
| • Mayor of Southland | Rob Scott |
| • Invercargill MP | Penny Simmonds |
| • Te Tai Tonga MP | Tākuta Ferris |
| Area | |
• Total | 24.01 km2 (9.27 sq mi) |
| Population (June 2024)[2] | |
• Total | 310 |
| • Density | 13/km2 (33/sq mi) |
| Postcode(s) | 9871 |
| Area code | 03 |
Demographics
editWoodlands is defined by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement. It covers 24.01 km2 (9.27 sq mi),[1] and had an estimated population of 310 as of June 2024,[2] with a population density of 13 people per km2. It is part of the wider Edendale-Woodlands statistical area.[4]
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 255 | — |
| 2013 | 261 | +0.33% |
| 2018 | 273 | +0.90% |
| Source: [5] | ||
Woodlands had a population of 273 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 12 people (4.6%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 18 people (7.1%) since the 2006 census. There were 111 households, comprising 141 males and 135 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.04 males per female, with 51 people (18.7%) aged under 15 years, 39 (14.3%) aged 15 to 29, 144 (52.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 42 (15.4%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 87.9% European/Pākehā, 12.1% Māori, 1.1% Pasifika, and 7.7% Asian. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 46.2% had no religion, 45.1% were Christian, 1.1% had Māori religious beliefs and 2.2% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 27 (12.2%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 54 (24.3%) people had no formal qualifications. 33 people (14.9%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 132 (59.5%) people were employed full-time, 33 (14.9%) were part-time, and 12 (5.4%) were unemployed.[5]
Transport
editThe town is located on State Highway 1 and the Main South Line portion of the South Island Main Trunk Railway. The railway has been freight-only since the cancellation of the Southerner passenger express on 10 February 2002. During the construction of the Main South Line, Woodlands was briefly a railway terminus. The first section of the line out of Invercargill was opened to Woodlands on 11 February 1874. On 7 June 1875, the next section beyond Woodlands was opened to Mataura via Edendale.[6]
War memorial
editA number of Woodlands residents fought overseas in World War I. A memorial to those who died stands in the town.[7]
Education
editWoodlands Full Primary School caters for years 1 to 8[8] with a roll of 114 students as of August 2024.[9] The school opened in 1871.[10]
References
edit- ^ a b "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
- ^ a b "Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
- ^ "Place name detail: Woodlands". New Zealand Gazetteer. New Zealand Geographic Board. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
- ^ 2018 Census place summary: Edendale-Woodlands
- ^ a b "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. 7029309 and 7029312.
- ^ New Zealand Railway and Tramway Atlas, fourth edition, edited by John Yonge (Essex: Quail Map Company, 1993), 30.
- ^ Jock Phillips and Chris Maclean, "Woodlands War Memorial", New Zealand History Online, accessed 17 November 2007.
- ^ Education Counts: Woodlands Full Primary School
- ^ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
- ^ "About Our School". Woodlands Full Primary School. Retrieved 3 February 2022.