South Wairarapa District

The district comprises the floodplain of the Ruamahanga River and the associated Lake Wairarapa, as well as the long southern stretch of Palliser Bay. To the west of the plains rise the eastern slopes of the Remutaka Range, the crest of which forms the western boundary of the district, while the Aorangi Range lies to the southeast. The southernmost point of the North Island, Cape Palliser is in the South Wairarapa.

While it is predominantly rural, the South Wairarapa includes three towns. The largest town, and seat of the district council, is Martinborough; the town is the centre of a nationally important wine-producing area. The second largest town in the district, Greytown, is where Arbor Day was first celebrated in New Zealand). The Fell Locomotive Museum in the third town, Featherston, has a museum displaying the world's only Fell locomotive.

It is expected that the number of people living in the district's urban areas will increase over the coming years due to increasing property prices in Wellington proper, and the proximity to transport links.[2][3]

South Wairarapa District had a population of 10,575 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 1,047 people (11.0%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 1,683 people (18.9%) since the 2006 census. There were 4,335 households. There were 5,271 males and 5,307 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.99 males per female. Of the total population, 1,917 people (18.1%) were aged up to 15 years, 1,314 (12.4%) were 15 to 29, 5,025 (47.5%) were 30 to 64, and 2,319 (21.9%) were 65 or older. Figures may not add up to the total due to rounding.

Ethnicities were 90.5% European/Pākehā, 14.2% Māori, 2.2% Pacific peoples, 2.5% Asian, and 1.9% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 17.2, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people objected to giving their religion, 55.6% had no religion, 33.4% were Christian, and 3.5% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 2,070 (23.9%) people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 1,599 (18.5%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $32,900. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 4,239 (49.0%) people were employed full-time, 1,446 (16.7%) were part-time, and 237 (2.7%) were unemployed.[4]

Bank of New Zealand building in Greytown

Because of South Wairarapa's proximity to the capital city of New Zealand, Wellington, there are close links between the two areas. For example, some people live in South Wairarapa and commute to Wellington each day to work; others live and work in Wellington while spending weekends in South Wairarapa. The Wairarapa Line, part of the Metlink public transport network for the Wellington region, passes through the district (which is served by the three stations of Featherston, Woodside, and Matarawa) and provides a faster method of transport into the city than the Remutaka pass road. Metlink buses also provide services to Greytown and Martinborough from the railway stations and Masterton.

The South Wairarapa District Council is the territorial authority responsible for the area. The council consists of nine councillors; the current mayor is Alex Beijen.[5] The three towns also have their own community boards.[6]

• Official website of the South Wairarapa District Council