West Plains-Makarewa

NZDep 3
Pop 1,725Median age 45Invercargill City

West Plains-Makarewa is a small community in Southland with a population of 1,725 and a median age of 45. Median personal income is $44K per year. The main ethnic groups are European, Māori, Pacific Peoples.

Livability indicators for West Plains-Makarewa: NZDep decile 3 (low deprivation (affluent)); 1 school with avg EQI 440.

In 2026, West Plains-Makarewa recorded 2 building approvals (2 houses, 0 units), down 71.4% year-on-year.

INVESTMENT SIGNALS
School QualityEQI 440 Average
DeprivationDecile 3 Low
Development-71% Slowing
DEMOGRAPHICS
Population1,725
Median Age45
Household Size
Personal Income$44K/yr
Household Income
ETHNICITY
European81.3%
Māori12.8%
Pacific Peoples3.1%
Asian2.5%
MELAA0.3%
TOP INDUSTRIES
Manufacturing168
Construction108
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing90
SCHOOLS (1)
Avg EQI440
Total Students148
State1
Makarewa SchoolContributing · State · EQI 440 · 148 students
LIVABILITY (NZDep 2023)
Deprivation Decile3/10
NZDep Score940
Low deprivation — among the least deprived areas in NZ.
DEVELOPMENT
Approvals (2026)2
  Houses2
YoY Change-71.4%
Data: Stats NZ Census 2023 · MBIE · MoE · NZDep2023