Granity is a small town on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island, 28 kilometres (17 mi) north-east of Westport on State Highway 67. Karamea is 68 kilometres (42 mi) further north.[3][4]
The town is on a narrow strip of land between the Tasman Sea to the west and steep, mountains to the immediate east. Long known as a coal-mining town, the population declined as the industry waned. The population was 170 in June 2023.[2] Several neighbouring towns, such as Denniston, have become virtually ghost towns. In 1911 Granity's population was 589,[5] 641 in 1921[6] and 547 in 1956.[7] Granity had a railway station on the Westport-Ngākawau Line from 28 Feb 1892 until 16 May 1982, though closed to passengers from 14 October 1946.[8] In 1902 it had a staff of 5.[9]
The name "Granity" was given to the town by gold prospectors, in reference to the large quantity of granite in the area.[10]
Granity is described by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement and covers 2.36 km2 (0.91 sq mi).[1] It had an estimated population of 170 as of June 2023,[2] with a population density of 72 people per km2. It is part of the larger Buller Coalfields statistical area.
Before the 2023 census, the settlement had a smaller boundary, covering 1.95 km2 (0.75 sq mi).[1] Using that boundary, Granity had a population of 168 at the 2018 New Zealand census, a decrease of 33 people (−16.4%) since the 2013 census, and a decrease of 21 people (−11.1%) since the 2006 census. There were 90 households, comprising 93 males and 75 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.24 males per female. The median age was 55.7 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 24 people (14.3%) aged under 15 years, 12 (7.1%) aged 15 to 29, 90 (53.6%) aged 30 to 64, and 42 (25.0%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 94.6% European/Pākehā, 12.5% Māori, 1.8% Pasifika, and 1.8% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 66.1% had no religion, 17.9% were Christian and 1.8% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 12 (8.3%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 45 (31.2%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $18,800, compared with $31,800 nationally. 9 people (6.2%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 45 (31.2%) people were employed full-time, 15 (10.4%) were part-time, and 6 (4.2%) were unemployed.[11]
Buller Coalfields statistical area, which also includes Hector and Ngakawau and Waimangaroa, covers 498.52 km2 (192.48 sq mi).[1] It had an estimated population of 930 as of June 2023,[12] with a population density of 1.9 people per km2.
Buller Coalfields had a population of 909 at the 2018 New Zealand census, a decrease of 78 people (−7.9%) since the 2013 census, and a decrease of 30 people (−3.2%) since the 2006 census. There were 447 households, comprising 480 males and 429 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.12 males per female. The median age was 54.0 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 135 people (14.9%) aged under 15 years, 84 (9.2%) aged 15 to 29, 486 (53.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 204 (22.4%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 90.1% European/Pākehā, 11.9% Māori, 1.3% Pasifika, 1.7% Asian, and 3.6% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 11.9, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 60.4% had no religion, 24.8% were Christian, 0.3% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.3% were Buddhist and 1.7% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 78 (10.1%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 231 (29.8%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $19,600, compared with $31,800 nationally. 57 people (7.4%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 264 (34.1%) people were employed full-time, 93 (12.0%) were part-time, and 39 (5.0%) were unemployed.[13]
The Granity Creek Sawmill was established in 1846 and was a significant employer in the area. The town was also the location of the engineering division of the Westport Coal Company, and the railway station was used for loading and dispatching coal from the nearby Millerton mine.[14]
Granity School opened in 1879 in Ngakawau and was later re-located to a site between Ngakawau and Granity. In 1901 it had a roll of 100 pupils.[14] The school is a co-educational full primary school (years 1–8), with a roll of 33 as of August 2024.[15][16] The natural erosion of the beach, at a rate of 40 centimetres (16 in) per year, is threatening the school buildings, and a stopbank has resulted in the school grounds protruding further out onto the beach than adjoining properties.[17]
The very rare and critically endangered cobble skink is only known to occur on a short stretch of pebbled coast at Granity.[18]
Notable people from Granity include:
Media related to Granity at Wikimedia Commons
