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Moana, New Zealand

Coordinates: 42°34′32″S 171°28′49″E / 42.57556°S 171.48028°E / -42.57556; 171.48028
From Tilcayo Cats, the lean encyclopaedia by Tilcayo Knowledge Systems
For the suburb of Nelson, New Zealand, see Moana, Nelson.

Moana
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Interactive map of Moana
Coordinates: 42°34′32″S 171°28′49″E / 42.57556°S 171.48028°E / -42.57556; 171.48028
CountryNew Zealand
RegionWest Coast
DistrictGrey District
WardEastern
Electorates
Government
 • Territorial AuthorityGrey District Council
 • Regional councilWest Coast Regional Council
 • Mayor of GreyTania Gibson[3]
 • West Coast-Tasman MPMaureen Pugh[4]
 • Te Tai Tonga MPTākuta Ferris[5]
Area
[1]
 • Total
1.16 km2 (0.45 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2025)[2]
 • Total
110
 • Density95/km2 (250/sq mi)
Local iwiNgāi Tahu

Moana is a small town in the West Coast Region of the South Island of New Zealand. It is situated on the northern shore of Lake Brunner, and is beside the outflow of the lake into the Arnold River.[6][7] There is a pedestrian suspension bridge crossing the Arnold from the town to access the lake shore across the river, with some short easy bush walks on each side.

The town has a permanent population of less than 100, but is a popular location for summer tourism. There are around 300 holiday homes and a camping ground.[8]

The town's main tourist attractions are the panoramic views and water sport opportunities arising from its position on the shores of Lake Brunner. The Midland Line railway passes through Moana; the TranzAlpine tourist passenger train passes through once in each direction daily, and freight trains of coal operate more frequently.

In May 2013, Moana became one of the first places in New Zealand to get 4G wireless broadband.[9]

Demographics

Moana is described by Stats NZ as a rural settlement and covers 1.16 km2 (0.45 sq mi).[1] It had an estimated population of 110 as of June 2025,[2] with a population density of 95 people per km2. Moana is part of the larger Lake Brunner statistical area.[10]

Historical population for Moana
YearPop.±% p.a.
200663—    
201366+0.67%
201857−2.89%
202390+9.57%
The 2006 population is for a smaller area of 0.58 km2.
Source: [11][12]

Moana had a population of 90 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 33 people (57.9%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 24 people (36.4%) since the 2013 census. There were 45 males and 45 females in 42 dwellings.[13] 3.3% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 57.2 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 12 people (13.3%) aged under 15 years, 9 (10.0%) aged 15 to 29, 42 (46.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 24 (26.7%) aged 65 or older.[11]

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 90.0% European (Pākehā), 10.0% Māori, 3.3% Pasifika, and 3.3% Asian. English was spoken by 96.7%, and Māori by 3.3%. New Zealand Sign Language was known by 3.3%. The percentage of people born overseas was 10.0, compared with 28.8% nationally.[11]

Religious affiliations were 23.3% Christian. People who answered that they had no religion were 63.3%, and 10.0% of people did not answer the census question.[11]

Of those at least 15 years old, 15 (19.2%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 48 (61.5%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 21 (26.9%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $41,200, compared with $41,500 nationally. 6 people (7.7%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 39 (50.0%) full-time and 9 (11.5%) part-time.[11]

Lake Brunner statistical area

Lake Brunner statistical area, which also includes Gloriavale, covers 1,301.70 km2 (502.59 sq mi)[14] and had an estimated population of 1,060 as of June 2025,[15] with a population density of 0.81 people per km2.

Historical population for Lake Brunner
YearPop.±% p.a.
2006753—    
2013918+2.87%
20181,065+3.02%
2023999−1.27%
Source: [16][17]

Lake Brunner had a population of 999 in the 2023 New Zealand census, a decrease of 66 people (−6.2%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 81 people (8.8%) since the 2013 census. There were 504 males and 492 females in 210 dwellings.[18] 0.9% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 23.6 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 384 people (38.4%) aged under 15 years, 186 (18.6%) aged 15 to 29, 327 (32.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 105 (10.5%) aged 65 or older.[16]

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 95.5% European (Pākehā), 6.6% Māori, 0.3% Pasifika, 2.4% Asian, and 1.2% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 95.2%, Māori by 1.5%, and other languages by 2.7%. No language could be spoken by 4.5% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.6%. The percentage of people born overseas was 7.8, compared with 28.8% nationally.[16]

Religious affiliations were 54.7% Christian, 0.3% Hindu, 0.3% Māori religious beliefs, 0.9% New Age, 0.3% Jewish, and 1.2% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 35.7%, and 6.9% of people did not answer the census question.[16]

Of those at least 15 years old, 81 (13.2%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 411 (66.8%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 126 (20.5%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $27,900, compared with $41,500 nationally. 30 people (4.9%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 306 (49.8%) full-time, 78 (12.7%) part-time, and 6 (1.0%) unemployed.[16]

Education

Lake Brunner School is a coeducational full primary (years 1–8) school with a roll of 54 students as of July 2026.[19][20] It opened in 1959.[21] Rotomanu School closed and merged into this school in 2005.[22]

Railway station

In 1886, the New Zealand Midland Railway Company entered a contract with the Government for the construction of 376 kilometres (234 mi) of railway between Christchurch and Nelson via Brunnerton (later Brunner) over a ten-year period. The line was to be built and operated by private enterprise. In November 1892, the company opened the railway from Brunnerton, but at that stage Moana was only a flag station. By March 1894, the railway had reached Jacksons. However, in 1895 the company collapsed. In May 1895 the Government seized the company's assets on the grounds that the contract had expired with the works incomplete. The Government eventually completed the works under the Railways Construction and Land Act 1881.[23]

The opening of the railway to Moana enabled settlement by Pākeha and establishment of timber mills in the local area. By June 1895 a 140 metres (460 ft) siding was being operated at Moana station by the Lake Brunner Sawmill Company. The date of construction of the original Moana railway station building is not known, but by 1895 the station had a 61 metres (200 ft) long platform and 240 metres (790 ft) siding.[23]

On 16 April 1926, the station building was destroyed in a fire. A replacement building was constructed in the same year. The replacement was to the standard type A design, from the family of standard railway station designs prepared by Railways architect George Troup.[24]

The Moana Railway Station is listed as a Category 1 Historic Place by Heritage New Zealand. It is the only type A station building still remaining that is complete with its associated sidings and goods sheds.[23] Heritage New Zealand has also given a Category 1 listing to the Moana Railway Station Historic Area comprising the station building, a footbridge, the goods shed and the former station master's house (now used as a cafe).[25][26]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Stats NZ Geographic Data Service". Urban Rural 2023 (generalised). Retrieved 25 June 2026.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Subnational population estimates - Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
  3. ↑ "2025 Triennial Elections Declaration of Result" (PDF). Electionz. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
  4. ↑ "West Coast-Tasman - Official Result". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 8 April 2026.
  5. ↑ "Te Tai Tonga – Official Result". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 23 February 2026.
  6. ↑ Peter Dowling, ed. (2004). Reed New Zealand Atlas. Reed Books. map 69. ISBN 0-7900-0952-8.
  7. ↑ Roger Smith, GeographX (2005). The Geographic Atlas of New Zealand. Robbie Burton. map 157. ISBN 1-877333-20-4.
  8. ↑ Carroll, Joanne (8 June 2018). "Moana on the West Coast's Lake Brunner is ripe for a tourist boom". Stuff. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  9. ↑ "Small, rural NZ town gets 4G". 3 News NZ. 25 May 2013. Archived from the original on 2 July 2014. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  10. ↑ "Geographic Boundary Viewer". Stats NZ. Urban Rural Areas – 2023 and Statistical Area 2 – 2023.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Moana (2063). Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  12. ↑ "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. 7023757.
  13. ↑ "Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  14. ↑ "Stats NZ Geographic Data Service". Statistical Area 2 2023 (generalised). Retrieved 25 June 2026.
  15. ↑ "Subnational population estimates - Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Lake Brunner (311101). Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  17. ↑ "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Lake Brunner (311100). 2018 Census place summary: Lake Brunner
  18. ↑ "Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  19. ↑ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  20. ↑ "Lake Brunner School - Education Counts". www.educationcounts.govt.nz.
  21. ↑ Crossan, John. "Lake Brunner School opening November, 1959". West Coast New Zealand History. Retrieved 25 June 2026.
  22. ↑ "School Mergers, Closures and New Schools". Education Counts. 2005. Archived from the original (XLS) on 15 October 2008. Retrieved 31 July 2008.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 "Moana Railway Station". New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero. Heritage New Zealand.
  24. ↑ "Moana Station". Rail Heritage Trust. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  25. ↑ "Moana Railway Station Historic Area". New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero. Heritage New Zealand.
  26. ↑ "Gourmet grazing along NZ's West Coast". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
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