Levels, New Zealand

Levels is a small rural community in the Timaru District, New Zealand. It is located east of Pleasant Point and north-west of Timaru. Richard Pearse Airport is located within Levels. Also, the Timaru International Motor Raceway is located in the area.

The Levels statistical area, which also includes Waipopo, covers 87.99 km² (33.97 sq mi)^[2] and had an estimated population of 1,270 as of June 2025,^[3] with a population density of 14 people per km².

Levels had a population of 1,209 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 75 people (6.6%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 81 people (7.2%) since the 2006 census. There were 462 households, comprising 654 males and 558 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.17 males per female. The median age was 46.1 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 219 people (18.1%) aged under 15 years, 171 (14.1%) aged 15 to 29, 618 (51.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 198 (16.4%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 91.8% European/Pākehā, 8.7% Māori, 1.7% Pasifika, 1.7% Asian, and 3.0% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 8.2, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 43.7% had no religion, 44.9% were Christian, 0.2% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.5% were Muslim, 0.2% were Buddhist and 1.7% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 108 (10.9%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 240 (24.2%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $34,900, compared with $31,800 nationally. 177 people (17.9%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 552 (55.8%) people were employed full-time, 189 (19.1%) were part-time, and 18 (1.8%) were unemployed.^[4]

• Levels Valley