Highlands Park, New Plymouth
Highlands Park | |
|---|---|
Interactive map of Highlands Park | |
| Coordinates: 39°04′59″S 174°05′51″E / 39.0831782°S 174.0975057°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| City | New Plymouth |
| Local authority | New Plymouth District Council |
| Electoral ward |
|
| Area | |
| • Land | 292 ha (720 acres) |
| Population (June 2025)[2] | |
• Total | 3,370 |
| • Density | 1,150/km2 (2,990/sq mi) |
| Welbourn | Merrilands | Glen Avon |
| Vogeltown |
Highlands Park
|
|
| Ridgewood | Burgess Park |
Highlands Park is a suburb of the New Zealand city of New Plymouth.
History
In 2011, a local chapter of the Exclusive Brethren proposed building a church in Highlands Park, near most of their 40 members lived nearby. Three nearby residents supported the proposal, but three others opposed it.[3] The New Plymouth District Council declined the proposal due to noise concerns, but the Brethren appealed to the Environment Court.[4]
As of February 2019, an audit by Taranaki Regional Council found Highlands Park had low levels of recycling contamination, compared to most other New Plymouth suburbs.[5]
In June 2019, a man was arrested on arson charges, after a fire broke out in his Highlands Park home.[6]
In September 2019, a worker at a Highlands Park rest home began taking her newborn black lamb to entertain residents.[7]
Demographics
Highlands Park covers 2.92 km2 (1.13 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 3,370 as of June 2025,[2] with a population density of 1,154 people per km2.
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 2,490 | — |
| 2013 | 3,009 | +2.74% |
| 2018 | 3,318 | +1.97% |
| 2023 | 3,387 | +0.41% |
| Source: [8][9] | ||
Highlands Park (New Plymouth District) had a population of 3,387 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 69 people (2.1%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 378 people (12.6%) since the 2013 census. There were 1,620 males, 1,758 females, and 9 people of other genders in 1,278 dwellings.[10] 2.5% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 50.3 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 567 people (16.7%) aged under 15 years, 408 (12.0%) aged 15 to 29, 1,425 (42.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 987 (29.1%) aged 65 or older.[8]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 87.2% European (Pākehā); 8.5% Māori; 0.9% Pasifika; 9.4% Asian; 1.5% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.7% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 98.0%, Māori by 1.7%, and other languages by 10.6%. No language could be spoken by 1.0% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.4%. The percentage of people born overseas was 22.2, compared with 28.8% nationally.[8]
Religious affiliations were 38.3% Christian, 1.4% Hindu, 1.4% Islam, 0.2% Māori religious beliefs, 0.8% Buddhist, 0.2% New Age, 0.1% Jewish, and 0.8% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 48.3%, and 8.8% of people did not answer the census question.[8]
Of those at least 15 years old, 726 (25.7%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 1,479 (52.4%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 612 (21.7%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $41,500, compared with $41,500 nationally. 462 people (16.4%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 1,209 (42.9%) full-time, 417 (14.8%) part-time, and 45 (1.6%) unemployed.[8]
References
- ^ a b "Stats NZ Geographic Data Service". Statistical Area 2 2023 (generalised). Retrieved 27 September 2025.
- ^ a b "Subnational population estimates - Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
- ^ Rilkoff, Matt (22 July 2011). "Residents say no to Brethren". stuff.co.nz. Taranaki Daily News.
- ^ Rilkoff, Matt (12 September 2011). "Brethren church plan heads to court". Taranaki Daily News.
- ^ Watson, Mike (19 February 2019). "Kerbside audit shows New Plymouth could be losing faith with recycling". stuff.co.nz. Taranaki Daily News.
- ^ McIlraith, Brianna (10 June 2019). "Man taken into custody following suspected arson at New Plymouth home". stuff.co.nz. Taranaki Daily News.
- ^ Persico, Christina (13 September 2019). "Woolimina the lamb has New Plymouth rest home wrapped around her little hoof". stuff.co.nz. Taranaki Daily News.
- ^ 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. Highlands Park (New Plymouth District) (218700). Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ^ "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Highlands Park (New Plymouth District) (218700). 2018 Census place summary: Highlands Park (New Plymouth District)
- ^ "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.