Highbury, Palmerston North
Highbury | |
|---|---|
Star Flats state apartments | |
Interactive map of Highbury | |
| Coordinates: 40°21′54″S 175°34′59″E / 40.365°S 175.583°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| City | Palmerston North |
| Local authority | Palmerston North City Council |
| Electoral ward |
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| Area | |
| • Land | 209 ha (520 acres) |
| Population (June 2025)[2] | |
• Total | 4,810 |
| • Density | 2,300/km2 (5,960/sq mi) |
| Westbrook | Takaro | |
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Highbury
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| Awapuni | West End |
Highbury is a suburb of Palmerston North, New Zealand. The suburb is located northwest of Palmerston North Central (CBD). The area has the characteristics of a suburban area and had a resident population of 4,886 (2018).[3]
Highbury's street name themes range from British place-names (Brighton, Somerset, Lancaster, Coventry, Brentwood) to those of settlers of Palmerston North (Monrad).
A local shopping centre is located on the corner of Highbury Avenue and Pembroke Street, and was revitalised by the Palmerston North city council in 2023.[4] A pouwhenua representing Rongomaraeroa was installed outside the shopping centre in September 2025.[5]
Highbury is part of the Palmerston North and Te Tai Hauāuru electorates.
Demographics
Highbury covers 2.09 km2 (0.81 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 4,810 as of June 2025,[2] with a population density of 2,301 people per km2.
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 4,605 | — |
| 2013 | 4,374 | −0.73% |
| 2018 | 4,866 | +2.15% |
| Source: [3] | ||
Highbury had a population of 4,866 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 492 people (11.2%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 261 people (5.7%) since the 2006 census. There were 1,752 households, comprising 2,292 males and 2,571 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.89 males per female, with 1,131 people (23.2%) aged under 15 years, 993 (20.4%) aged 15 to 29, 1,857 (38.2%) aged 30 to 64, and 879 (18.1%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 65.2% European/Pākehā, 31.7% Māori, 11.8% Pacific peoples, 9.0% Asian, and 2.0% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 16.3, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 46.0% had no religion, 37.2% were Christian, 3.0% had Māori religious beliefs, 1.4% were Hindu, 2.5% were Muslim, 0.4% were Buddhist and 1.8% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 399 (10.7%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 1,035 (27.7%) people had no formal qualifications. 261 people (7.0%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 1,500 (40.2%) people were employed full-time, 465 (12.4%) were part-time, and 240 (6.4%) were unemployed.[3]
| Name | Area (km2) |
Population | Density (per km2) |
Households | Median age | Median income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highbury East | 1.16 | 2,958 | 2,550 | 918 | 29.6 years | $20,300[6] |
| Park West | 0.93 | 1,908 | 2,052 | 834 | 47.9 years | $25,700[7] |
| New Zealand | 37.4 years | $31,800 |
Education
Takaro School is a co-educational state primary school,[8][9] with a roll of 217 as of July 2025.[10]
Monrad - Te Kura Waenga o Tirohanga is a co-educational intermediate school with a roll of 373 as of July 2024.[11]
Transport
Palmerston North bus routes 103, 104, and 108 (to/from the Main Street Bus Hub) serve Highbury.[12]
Parks and Reserves
- Monrad Park
- Takaro Park
- Opie Reserve
- Marriner Reserve
- Part of the Kawau Stream Reserve
- Tui Reserve
- Pembroke Reserve
- Oriana Reserve
- Farnham Reserve
References
- ^ a b "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
- ^ a b "Subnational population estimates - Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
- ^ a b c "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Highbury East (229900) and Park West (230000).
- ^ "Highbury Shopping Centre Revitalisation". Taituarā. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
- ^ George Heagney (4 September 2025). "Pou symbolises love for Highbury community". Manawatu Standard. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
- ^ 2018 Census place summary: Highbury East
- ^ 2018 Census place summary: Park West
- ^ "Takaro School Official School Website". takaro.school.nz.
- ^ "Takaro School Ministry of Education School Profile". educationcounts.govt.nz. Ministry of Education.
- ^ "Takaro School Education Review Office Report". ero.govt.nz. Education Review Office.
- ^ "Monrad - Te Kura Waenga o Tirohanga". Education Review Office. 9 July 2024. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
- ^ "Bus timetable - Palmerston North urban" (PDF). Horizons Regional Council. May 2025. Retrieved 8 September 2025.