Murchison-Nelson Lakes

NZDep 6
Pop 1,491Median age 48Tasman District

Murchison-Nelson Lakes is a small community in Tasman with a population of 1,491 and a median age of 48. Median personal income is $31K per year. The main ethnic groups are European, Māori, Asian.

Median weekly rent in Murchison-Nelson Lakes is $160 (160 houses, 0 units). This represents approximately 26% of median weekly personal income.

Livability indicators for Murchison-Nelson Lakes: NZDep decile 6 (moderate deprivation); 2 schools with avg EQI 450.

In 2026, Murchison-Nelson Lakes recorded 2 building approvals (2 houses, 0 units), down 33.3% year-on-year.

INVESTMENT SIGNALS
Rent Affordability26% Affordable
School QualityEQI 450 Average
DeprivationDecile 6 Moderate
Development-33% Slowing
RENTAL MARKET
Median Rent /wk$160
House Rent /wk$160
Rent-to-Income26.5%
Lodgements12
1/01/2020
DEMOGRAPHICS
Population1,491
Median Age48
Household Size
Personal Income$31K/yr
Household Income
ETHNICITY
European86.1%
Māori9.3%
Asian3.3%
Pacific Peoples0.7%
MELAA0.6%
TOP INDUSTRIES
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing213
Accommodation and Food132
Construction75
SCHOOLS (2)
Avg EQI450
Total Students198
State2
Murchison Area SchoolComposite · State · EQI 471 · 175 students
Lake Rotoiti SchoolFull Primary · State · EQI 430 · 23 students
LIVABILITY (NZDep 2023)
Deprivation Decile6/10
NZDep Score998
Moderate deprivation — typical of many NZ suburbs.
DEVELOPMENT
Approvals (2026)2
  Houses2
YoY Change-33.3%
Data: Stats NZ Census 2023 · MBIE · MoE · NZDep2023