// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did Witherlea say to its friend? Leaf me alone.
Witherlea | |
|---|---|
 Interactive map of Witherlea | |
| Coordinates: 41°32′17″S 173°57′14″E / 41.538°S 173.954°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| City | Blenheim, New Zealand |
| Local authority | Marlborough District Council |
| Electoral ward |
|
| Area | |
| • Land | 381 ha (940 acres) |
| Population (June 2025)[2] | |
• Total | 5,930 |
| • Density | 1,560/km2 (4,030/sq mi) |
| Hospitals | Wairau Hospital |
| Burleigh | Redwoodtown | Riverlands |
  Witherlea  |
||
| (Wither Hills) |
Witherlea is a suburb to the south of Blenheim's central district.[3][4]
The Blenheim hospital campus, which includes Wairau Hospital, is in Witherlea.[5]
Omaka Cemetery has graves from early Pākehā settlement in the Wairau area.[6]
Demographics
[edit]Witherlea covers 3.81 km2 (1.47 sq mi).[1] It had an estimated population of 5,930 as of June 2025, with a population density of 1,528 people per km2.
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 4,563 | — |
| 2013 | 4,836 | +0.83% |
| 2018 | 5,406 | +2.25% |
| 2023 | 5,757 | +1.27% |
| Source: [7][8] | ||
Witherlea had a population of 5,757 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 351 people (6.5%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 921 people (19.0%) since the 2013 census. There were 2,826 males, 2,907 females, and 24 people of other genders in 2,265 dwellings.[9] 2.5% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 44.7 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 1,056 people (18.3%) aged under 15 years, 759 (13.2%) aged 15 to 29, 2,571 (44.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 1,371 (23.8%) aged 65 or older.[7]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 88.9% European (Pākehā); 11.4% Māori; 2.6% Pasifika; 5.6% Asian; 1.5% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 3.1% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 97.7%, Māori by 1.4%, Samoan by 0.5%, and other languages by 9.3%. No language could be spoken by 1.7% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.5%. The percentage of people born overseas was 20.1, compared with 28.8% nationally.[7]
Religious affiliations were 33.0% Christian, 0.6% Hindu, 0.2% Islam, 0.1% Māori religious beliefs, 0.6% Buddhist, 0.2% New Age, 0.1% Jewish, and 1.0% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 56.7%, and 7.7% of people did not answer the census question.[7]
Of those at least 15 years old, 930 (19.8%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 2,682 (57.1%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 1,089 (23.2%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $41,100, compared with $41,500 nationally. 453 people (9.6%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 2,325 (49.5%) full-time, 717 (15.3%) part-time, and 54 (1.1%) unemployed.[7]
| Name | Area (km2) | Population | Density (per km2) | Dwellings | Median age | Median income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Witherlea West | 2.44 | 2,952 | 1,210 | 1,164 | 46.8 years | $40,500[10] |
| Witherlea East | 1.37 | 2,805 | 2,047 | 1,101 | 42.9 years | $41,700[11] |
| New Zealand | 38.1 years | $41,500 |
Education
[edit]Witherlea School is a coeducational contributing primary (years 1-6) school with a roll of 388 students as of July 2026.[12][13] It opened in 1968.[14]
References
[edit]- 1 2 "Stats NZ Geographic Data Service". Statistical Area 3 2023 (generalised). Retrieved 25 May 2026.
- ↑ "Subnational population estimates - Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
- ↑ Peter Dowling, ed. (2004). Reed New Zealand Atlas. Reed Books. pp. map 61. ISBN 0-7900-0952-8.
- ↑ Roger Smith, GeographX (2005). The Geographic Atlas of New Zealand. Robbie Burton. pp. map 139. ISBN 1-877333-20-4.
- ↑ "Wairau Hospital". Nelson Marlborough Heath. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
- ↑ "Omaka Cemetery". Marlborough District Council. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Witherlea (60410). Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ↑ "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Witherlea West (308300) and Witherlea East (308600).
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ - Tatauranga Aotearoa - Aotearoa Data Explorer. Witherlea West. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ↑ "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ - Tatauranga Aotearoa - Aotearoa Data Explorer. Witherlea East. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ↑ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
- ↑ "Witherlea School - Education Counts". www.educationcounts.govt.nz.
- ↑ Hulbert, Paula (16 August 2018). "Trip down memory lane for Witherlea School 50th reunion". Marlborough Express.