Upper Hurunui

NZDep 5
Pop 1,503Median age 48Hurunui District

Upper Hurunui is a small community in Canterbury with a population of 1,503 and a median age of 48. Median personal income is $34K per year. The main ethnic groups are European, Māori, Asian.

Median weekly rent in Upper Hurunui is $450 (450 houses, 0 units). This represents approximately 70% of median weekly personal income.

Livability indicators for Upper Hurunui: NZDep decile 5 (moderate deprivation); 2 schools with avg EQI 460.

In 2026, Upper Hurunui recorded 1 building approval (1 house, 0 units), up 0% year-on-year.

INVESTMENT SIGNALS
Rent Affordability70% Stretched
School QualityEQI 460 Average
DeprivationDecile 5 Moderate
Development+0% Steady
RENTAL MARKET
Median Rent /wk$450
House Rent /wk$450
Rent-to-Income69.6%
Lodgements12
1/10/2023
DEMOGRAPHICS
Population1,503
Median Age48
Household Size
Personal Income$34K/yr
Household Income
ETHNICITY
European87.1%
Māori8.1%
Asian2.5%
Pacific Peoples1.9%
MELAA0.4%
TOP INDUSTRIES
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing348
Construction72
Education and Training66
SCHOOLS (2)
Avg EQI460
Total Students214
State2
Hurunui CollegeComposite · State · EQI 465 · 180 students
Waikari SchoolFull Primary · State · EQI 455 · 34 students
LIVABILITY (NZDep 2023)
Deprivation Decile5/10
NZDep Score970
Moderate deprivation — typical of many NZ suburbs.
DEVELOPMENT
Approvals (2026)1
  Houses1
YoY Change+0%
Data: Stats NZ Census 2023 · MBIE · MoE · NZDep2023