Reefton

NZDep 9
Pop 1,026Median age 54Buller District

Reefton is a small community in West Coast with a population of 1,026 and a median age of 54. Median personal income is $29K per year. The main ethnic groups are European, Māori, Asian.

Median weekly rent in Reefton is $270 (270 houses, 0 units). This represents approximately 48% of median weekly personal income.

Livability indicators for Reefton: NZDep decile 9 (high deprivation); 2 schools with avg EQI 478.

In 2026, Reefton recorded 0 building approvals (0 houses, 0 units), down 100% year-on-year.

INVESTMENT SIGNALS
Rent Affordability48% Stretched
School QualityEQI 478 Below Average
DeprivationDecile 9 High
Development-100% Slowing
RENTAL MARKET
Median Rent /wk$270
House Rent /wk$270
Rent-to-Income47.8%
Lodgements12
1/10/2020
DEMOGRAPHICS
Population1,026
Median Age54
Household Size
Personal Income$29K/yr
Household Income
ETHNICITY
European81.6%
Māori13.7%
Asian3.3%
Pacific Peoples1.4%
TOP INDUSTRIES
Construction72
Mining60
Accommodation and Food57
SCHOOLS (2)
Avg EQI478
Total Students193
State1
State : Integrated1
Reefton Area SchoolComposite · State · EQI 504 · 165 students
Sacred Heart School (Reefton)Full Primary · State : Integrated · EQI 451 · 28 students
LIVABILITY (NZDep 2023)
Deprivation Decile9/10
NZDep Score1094
High deprivation — among the most deprived areas in NZ.
DEVELOPMENT
Approvals (2026)0
YoY Change-100%
Data: Stats NZ Census 2023 · MBIE · MoE · NZDep2023