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 / -40.365; 175.583
CountryNew Zealand
CityPalmerston North
Local authorityPalmerston North City Council
Electoral ward
  • Te Hirawanui General Ward
  • Te Pūao Māori Ward
Area
 • Land209 ha (520 acres)
Population
 (June 2025)[2]
 • Total
4,810
 • Density2,300/km2 (5,960/sq mi)
Westbrook Takaro
Highbury
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.

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
20064,605—    
20134,374−0.73%
20184,866+2.15%
20234,818−0.20%
Source: [3]

Highbury had a population of 4,818 in the 2023 New Zealand census, a decrease of 48 people (−1.0%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 444 people (10.2%) since the 2013 census. There were 2,295 males, 2,502 females, and 24 people of other genders in 1,725 dwellings.[6] 2.9% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. There were 1,008 people (20.9%) aged under 15 years, 996 (20.7%) aged 15 to 29, 1,863 (38.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 954 (19.8%) aged 65 or older.[7]

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 63.2% European (Pākehā); 35.1% Māori; 10.1% Pasifika; 11.1% Asian; 1.5% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 1.7% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 94.9%, Māori by 8.9%, Samoan by 2.0%, and other languages by 11.6%. No language could be spoken by 2.3% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.9%. The percentage of people born overseas was 17.1, compared with 28.8% nationally.[7]

Religious affiliations were 32.2% Christian, 1.4% Hindu, 3.4% Islam, 2.4% Māori religious beliefs, 0.8% Buddhist, 0.6% New Age, and 1.2% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 50.6%, and 7.5% of people did not answer the census question.[7]

Of those at least 15 years old, 540 (14.2%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 2,079 (54.6%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 1,200 (31.5%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. 138 people (3.6%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 1,692 (44.4%) full-time, 414 (10.9%) part-time, and 165 (4.3%) unemployed.[7]

Individual statistical areas
Name Area
(km2)
Population Density
(per km2)
Dwellings Median age Median
income
Highbury East 1.16 2,904 2,503 936 31.2 years $30,800[8]
Park West 0.93 1,914 2,058 789 47.0 years $33,300[9]
New Zealand 38.1 years $41,500

Education

Monrad - Te Kura Waenga o Tirohanga is a co-educational state intermediate school,[10][11] with a roll of 378.[12] It opened in 1963 as Monrad Intermediate[13] and changed its name to Te Kura Waenga o Tirohanga Monrad Intermediate" in 2019.[14]

Transport

Palmerston North bus routes 103, 104, and 108 (to/from the Main Street Bus Hub) serve Highbury.[15]

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

  1. ^ a b "Stats NZ Geographic Data Service". Statistical Area 2 2023 (generalised). Retrieved 23 December 2025.
  2. ^ a b "Subnational population estimates - Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
  3. ^ a b "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Highbury East (229900) and Park West (230000).
  4. ^ "Highbury Shopping Centre Revitalisation". Taituarā. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  5. ^ George Heagney (4 September 2025). "Pou symbolises love for Highbury community". Manawatu Standard. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  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. ^ a b c d "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Highbury East (229900) and Park West (230000). Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  8. ^ "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ - Tatauranga Aotearoa - Aotearoa Data Explorer. Highbury East. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  9. ^ "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ - Tatauranga Aotearoa - Aotearoa Data Explorer. Park West. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  10. ^ "Monrad Intermediate Official School Website". monrad.school.nz.
  11. ^ "Monrad - Te Kura Waenga o Tirohanga Ministry of Education School Profile". educationcounts.govt.nz. Ministry of Education.
  12. ^ "Monrad - Te Kura Waenga o Tirohanga Education Review Office Report". ero.govt.nz. Education Review Office.
  13. ^ ""Monrad School Champions" [Swimming]". Manawatū Heritage. Retrieved 23 December 2025.
  14. ^ Heagney, George (5 February 2019). "New name for Palmerston North school Monrad Intermediate". Manawatū Standard.
  15. ^ "Bus timetable - Palmerston North urban" (PDF). Horizons Regional Council. May 2025. Retrieved 8 September 2025.