Milford Huts

Milford Huts
Rural settlement
Interactive map of Milford Huts
Coordinates: 44°16′30″S 171°20′53″E / 44.275°S 171.348°E / -44.275; 171.348
CountryNew Zealand
RegionCanterbury
Territorial authorityTimaru District
WardPleasant Point-Temuka
CommunityTemuka
Electorates
Government
 • Territorial authorityTimaru District Council
 • Regional councilEnvironment Canterbury
 • Mayor of TimaruNigel Bowen[1]
 • Rangitata MPJames Meager
 • Te Tai Tonga MPTākuta Ferris[2]
Area
 • Total
0.26 km2 (0.10 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2025)[3]
 • Total
60
 • Density230/km2 (600/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+12 (New Zealand Standard Time)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+13 (New Zealand Daylight Time)
Postcode
7986
Local iwiNgāi Tahu

Milford Huts is a bach community[5] in the Timaru district and Canterbury region of New Zealand's South Island. Milford Huts is on the northern side of the Ōpihi River mouth, 7.5 kilometres southeast of Temuka by road.[6]

The area is at risk of flooding from the river.[5][7][8]

Demographics

Milford Huts is described as a rural settlement by Statistics New Zealand, and covers 0.26 km2 (0.10 sq mi).[4] It had an estimated population of 60 as of June 2025,[3] with a population density of 231 people per km2. The settlement is part of the larger Waitohi statistical area.[9]

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
200660—    
201366+1.37%
201884+4.94%
Source: [10]

Before the 2023 census, Milford Huts had a larger boundary, covering 1.27 km2 (0.49 sq mi).[4] Using that boundary, Milford Huts had a population of 84 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 18 people (27.3%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 24 people (40.0%) since the 2006 census. There were 36 households, comprising 51 males and 33 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.55 males per female. The median age was 46.4 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 12 people (14.3%) aged under 15 years, 12 (14.3%) aged 15 to 29, 42 (50.0%) aged 30 to 64, and 15 (17.9%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 85.7% European/Pākehā, 21.4% Māori, and 3.6% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 71.4% had no religion, 17.9% were Christian and 7.1% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 3 (4.2%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 30 (41.7%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $20,300, compared with $31,800 nationally. 9 people (12.5%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 24 (33.3%) people were employed full-time, 3 (4.2%) were part-time, and 3 (4.2%) were unemployed.[10]

See also

References

  1. ^ "2025 Triennial Elections Declaration of Result" (PDF). Electionz. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  2. ^ "Te Tai Tonga – Official Result". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 23 February 2026.
  3. ^ a b "Subnational population estimates - Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
  4. ^ a b c "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Floods fail to dampen spirits". The Press. 31 December 2008.
  6. ^ Harriss, Gavin (July 2021). "NZ Topo Map" (Map). Milford Huts, Canterbury.
  7. ^ Quinlivan, Mark (14 October 2018). "Milford Huts residents want earlier action from authorities to avoid flooding". Timaru Herald.
  8. ^ Vittalmurthy, Shourabh (2 June 2021). "Residents of Milford Huts vigilant over rising water levels". Timaru Herald.
  9. ^ 2018 Census place summary: Waitohi (Timaru District)
  10. ^ a b "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. 7027292.