Parnassus

NZDep 6
Pop 1,419Median age 45Hurunui District

Parnassus is a small community in Canterbury with a population of 1,419 and a median age of 45. Median personal income is $34K per year. The main ethnic groups are European, Māori, Asian.

Median weekly rent in Parnassus is $228 (228 houses, 127 units). This represents approximately 35% of median weekly personal income.

Livability indicators for Parnassus: NZDep decile 6 (moderate deprivation); 1 school with avg EQI 463.

In 2026, Parnassus recorded 1 building approval (1 house, 0 units), down 75% year-on-year.

INVESTMENT SIGNALS
Rent Affordability35% Moderate
School QualityEQI 463 Average
DeprivationDecile 6 Moderate
Development-75% Slowing
RENTAL MARKET
Median Rent /wk$228
House Rent /wk$228
Unit Rent /wk$127
Rent-to-Income34.9%
Lodgements18
1/01/2021
DEMOGRAPHICS
Population1,419
Median Age45
Household Size
Personal Income$34K/yr
Household Income
ETHNICITY
European83.9%
Māori11.0%
Asian2.7%
Pacific Peoples1.9%
MELAA0.4%
TOP INDUSTRIES
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing327
Manufacturing54
Education and Training54
SCHOOLS (1)
Avg EQI463
Total Students170
State1
Cheviot Area SchoolComposite · State · EQI 463 · 170 students
LIVABILITY (NZDep 2023)
Deprivation Decile6/10
NZDep Score1003
Moderate deprivation — typical of many NZ suburbs.
DEVELOPMENT
Approvals (2026)1
  Houses1
YoY Change-75%
Data: Stats NZ Census 2023 · MBIE · MoE · NZDep2023