Merrilands

NZDep 7
Pop 3,039Median age 40New Plymouth District

Merrilands is a small suburb in Taranaki with a population of 3,039 and a median age of 40. Median personal income is $37K per year. The main ethnic groups are European, Māori, Asian.

Median weekly rent in Merrilands is $620 (620 houses, 500 units). This represents approximately 86% of median weekly personal income.

Livability indicators for Merrilands: NZDep decile 7 (moderate deprivation); 1 school with avg EQI 479.

In 2026, Merrilands recorded 2 building approvals (2 houses, 0 units), down 77.8% year-on-year.

INVESTMENT SIGNALS
Rent Affordability86% Stretched
School QualityEQI 479 Below Average
DeprivationDecile 7 Moderate
Development-78% Slowing
RENTAL MARKET
Median Rent /wk$620
House Rent /wk$620
Unit Rent /wk$500
Rent-to-Income86.2%
Lodgements45
1/10/2025
DEMOGRAPHICS
Population3,039
Median Age40
Household Size
Personal Income$37K/yr
Household Income
ETHNICITY
European72.2%
Māori16.5%
Asian6.3%
Pacific Peoples3.9%
MELAA1.0%
TOP INDUSTRIES
Construction186
Health Care and Social Assistance162
Manufacturing144
SCHOOLS (1)
Avg EQI479
Total Students130
State1
Merrilands SchoolContributing · State · EQI 479 · 130 students
LIVABILITY (NZDep 2023)
Deprivation Decile7/10
NZDep Score1011
Moderate deprivation — typical of many NZ suburbs.
DEVELOPMENT
Approvals (2026)2
  Houses2
YoY Change-77.8%
Data: Stats NZ Census 2023 · MBIE · MoE · NZDep2023