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Southbridge, New Zealand

Coordinates: 43°49′S 172°15′E / 43.817°S 172.250°E / -43.817; 172.250
From Tilcayo Cats, the lean encyclopaedia by Tilcayo Knowledge Systems

Southbridge
Rural settlement
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Interactive map of Southbridge
Coordinates: 43°49′S 172°15′E / 43.817°S 172.250°E / -43.817; 172.250
CountryNew Zealand
RegionCanterbury
Territorial authoritySelwyn District
WardEllesmere
Electorates
Government
 • Territorial authoritySelwyn District Council
 • Regional councilEnvironment Canterbury
 • Mayor of SelwynLydia Gliddon[1]
 • Selwyn MPNicola Grigg[2]
 • Te Tai Tonga MPTākuta Ferris[3]
Area
[4]
 • Total
2.22 km2 (0.86 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2025)[5]
 • Total
1,090
 • Density491/km2 (1,270/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+12 (NZST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+13 (NZDT)

Southbridge is a small town on the Canterbury Plains in the South Island of New Zealand.[6] It is located 45 kilometres (28 mi) southwest of Christchurch, between Leeston, Dunsandel and the Rakaia River.

The town serves mainly as a centre for agricultural services, but also has nearly 70 small to medium-sized businesses, a swimming pool, tennis courts, Southbridge Primary School, and many other attractions.[citation needed]

On 13 July 1875, a branch line railway was opened from Christchurch to Southbridge. Despite proposals to extend it further to Longbeach and Waterton, the line's terminus remained in Southbridge and it was thus known as the Southbridge Branch. Traffic was strong in the line's early decades; in 1914, two mixed trains and a goods-only train ran each way daily. However, the line entered into decline after the late 1920s. Passenger services to Southbridge were cancelled on 14 April 1951, and the line closed entirely on 30 June 1962. Few remnants of the line remain, though locations of level crossings can be discerned.[7]

Ngāti Moki marae, a marae (tribal meeting ground) of Ngāi Tahu and its Te Taumutu Rūnanga branch, is located in Southbridge.[8] It includes Ngāti Moki wharenui (meeting house).[9]

Demographics

Southbridge is described by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement. It covers 2.22 km2 (0.86 sq mi).[4] It had an estimated population of 1,090 as of June 2025,[5] with a population density of 491 people per km2. It is part of the larger Southbridge statistical area.[10]

Historical population for the Southbridge settlement
YearPop.±% p.a.
2006738—    
2013861+2.23%
2018906+1.02%
2023999+1.97%
Source: [11][12]

The settlement had a population of 999 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 93 people (10.3%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 138 people (16.0%) since the 2013 census. There were 495 males, 501 females, and 3 people of other genders in 369 dwellings.[13] 2.7% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 41.1 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 207 people (20.7%) aged under 15 years, 153 (15.3%) aged 15 to 29, 465 (46.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 174 (17.4%) aged 65 or older.[11]

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 93.7% European (Pākehā); 12.3% Māori; 2.1% Pasifika; 2.1% Asian; 0.9% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 3.6% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 98.2%, Māori by 1.2%, Samoan by 0.3%, and other languages by 4.5%. No language could be spoken by 1.8% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 1.2%. The percentage of people born overseas was 16.8, compared with 28.8% nationally.[11]

Religious affiliations were 23.4% Christian, 0.3% Hindu, 0.3% Māori religious beliefs, 0.3% New Age, and 1.2% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 64.9%, and 9.6% of people did not answer the census question.[11]

Of those at least 15 years old, 129 (16.3%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 450 (56.8%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 219 (27.7%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $45,500, compared with $41,500 nationally. 57 people (7.2%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 432 (54.5%) full-time, 123 (15.5%) part-time, and 18 (2.3%) unemployed.[11]

Southbridge statistical area

Southbridge statistical area surrounds and includes the settlement and covers 361.56 km2 (139.60 sq mi).[14] It had an estimated population of 2,680 as of June 2025,[15] with a population density of 7.4 people per km2.

Historical population for the statistical area
YearPop.±% p.a.
20062,163—    
20132,430+1.68%
20182,490+0.49%
20232,523+0.26%
Source: [16][17]

The statistical area had a population of 2,523 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 33 people (1.3%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 93 people (3.8%) since the 2013 census. There were 1,305 males, 1,209 females, and 9 people of other genders in 969 dwellings.[18] 2.6% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 40.4 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 468 people (18.5%) aged under 15 years, 414 (16.4%) aged 15 to 29, 1,233 (48.9%) aged 30 to 64, and 408 (16.2%) aged 65 or older.[16]

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 88.7% European (Pākehā); 11.4% Māori; 3.2% Pasifika; 5.2% Asian; 1.3% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.7% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 97.0%, Māori by 1.7%, Samoan by 0.5%, and other languages by 6.8%. No language could be spoken by 2.4% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.8%. The percentage of people born overseas was 17.7, compared with 28.8% nationally.[16]

Religious affiliations were 28.5% Christian, 0.7% Hindu, 0.5% Islam, 0.2% Māori religious beliefs, 0.4% Buddhist, 0.5% New Age, 0.1% Jewish, and 1.1% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 57.7%, and 10.3% of people did not answer the census question.[16]

Of those at least 15 years old, 351 (17.1%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 1,149 (55.9%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 546 (26.6%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $46,800, compared with $41,500 nationally. 198 people (9.6%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 1,179 (57.4%) full-time, 306 (14.9%) part-time, and 30 (1.5%) unemployed.[16]

Education

Southbridge School is a contributing primary school catering for years 1 to 6.[19] It had a roll of 124 as of July 2026.[20] The school was established in 1868.[21]

Southbridge District High School opened in 1903 and shared space with the primary school until a fire in 1924 destroyed the buildings. It was rebuilt on the same site, while the primary school moved across the road. The high school closed in 1981.[21]

Notable people

References

  1. ↑ "2025 Triennial Elections Declaration of Result" (PDF). Electionz. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
  2. ↑ "Selwyn - Official Result". www.electionresults.govt.nz. Electoral Commission. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
  3. ↑ "Te Tai Tonga – Official Result". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 23 February 2026.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Stats NZ Geographic Data Service". Urban Rural 2023 (generalised). Retrieved 28 September 2026.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Subnational population estimates - Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
  6. ↑ "Southbridge Community Profile". Statistics New Zealand. Archived from the original on 26 December 2005.
  7. ↑ David Leitch and Brian Scott, Exploring New Zealand's Ghost Railways, revised edition (Wellington: Grantham House, 1998 [1995]), 70-1.
  8. ↑ "Te Kāhui Māngai directory". tkm.govt.nz. Te Puni Kōkiri.
  9. ↑ "Māori Maps". maorimaps.com. Te Potiki National Trust.
  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. Southbridge (2140). Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  12. ↑ "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. 7026987 and 7026991–7026995.
  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 28 September 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. Southbridge (335400). Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  17. ↑ "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Southbridge (335400). 2018 Census place summary: Southbridge
  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. ↑ "Southbridge School - Education Counts". www.educationcounts.govt.nz.
  20. ↑ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 "History". Southbridge School. 18 March 2020.
  22. ↑ "Southbridge cox steers for Rio". The Press. 27 July 2016. p. B16. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  23. ↑ "Mabel Rose Wilson". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
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