Merrilands

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Merrilands
Suburb
Merrilands shopping centre on Mangorei Road
Merrilands shopping centre on Mangorei Road
Map
Coordinates: 39°3′56″S 174°6′19″E / 39.06556°S 174.10528°E / -39.06556; 174.10528
CountryNew Zealand
CityNew Plymouth
Local authorityNew Plymouth District Council
Electoral ward
  • Kaitake-Ngāmotu General Ward
  • Te Purutanga Mauri Pūmanawa Māori Ward
Area
[1]
 • Land173 ha (430 acres)
Population
 (June 2024)[2]
 • Total
3,110
Strandon Fitzroy Glen Avon
Merrilands
Welbourn Highlands Park

Merrilands is a suburb of New Plymouth, in the western North Island of New Zealand. It is located to the south-east of the city centre. The Waiwhakaiho River runs past Merrilands to the east, and Te Hēnui Stream runs past to the west.[3]

Demographics

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Merrilands covers 1.73 km2 (0.67 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 3,110 as of June 2024,[2] with a population density of 1,798 people per km2.

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
20062,787—    
20132,811+0.12%
20182,925+0.80%
20233,039+0.77%
Source: [4][5]

Merrilands had a population of 3,039 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 114 people (3.9%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 228 people (8.1%) since the 2013 census. There were 1,464 males, 1,563 females, and 12 people of other genders in 1,209 dwellings.[6] 2.4% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 40.4 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 570 people (18.8%) aged under 15 years, 537 (17.7%) aged 15 to 29, 1,263 (41.6%) aged 30 to 64, and 672 (22.1%) aged 65 or older.[4]

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 81.6% European (Pākehā); 18.7% Māori; 4.4% Pasifika; 7.1% Asian; 1.2% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.2% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 96.8%, Māori by 3.6%, Samoan by 0.3%, and other languages by 8.6%. No language could be spoken by 2.0% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.6%. The percentage of people born overseas was 19.5, compared with 28.8% nationally.[4]

Religious affiliations were 32.9% Christian, 1.1% Hindu, 1.0% Islam, 0.4% Māori religious beliefs, 0.4% Buddhist, 0.4% New Age, 0.1% Jewish, and 1.1% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 54.8%, and 8.1% of people did not answer the census question.[4]

Of those at least 15 years old, 525 (21.3%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 1,335 (54.1%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 606 (24.5%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $37,400, compared with $41,500 nationally. 273 people (11.1%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 1,176 (47.6%) full-time, 315 (12.8%) part-time, and 51 (2.1%) unemployed.[4]

Education

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Merrilands School is a coeducational contributing primary (years 1–6) school with a roll of 144 students as of July 2025.[7][8] The school was established in 1960.[9]

Commerce

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There is one main shopping centre located in Merrilands. This is located on the corner of Cumberland St and Mangorei Rd. Shops there include Lotto and Post Shop, New World Supermarket, pharmacy, hair salon, dentist, medical centre, along with a Z fuel station. A smaller group of shops, including a dairy and bakery, are at the intersection of Mangorei Rd and Karaka St.

Notes

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  1. ^ a b "Stats NZ Geographic Data Service". Statistical Area 2 2023 (generalised). Retrieved 26 September 2025.
  2. ^ a b "Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  3. ^ North Island Provincial Town Maps (5th ed.). Wises Maps. p. 91.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Merrilands (218100). Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  5. ^ "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Merrilands (218100). 2018 Census place summary: Merrilands
  6. ^ "Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  7. ^ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
  8. ^ "Merrilands School". Ministry of Education.
  9. ^ "About - Merrilands School". Merrilands School. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
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