Nelson South | |
|---|---|
Suburb | |
 Fairfield House | |
 | |
| Coordinates:41°17′15″S173°16′30″E / 41.28750°S 173.27500°E /-41.28750; 173.27500 | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Nelson |
| Ward |
|
| Electorates | |
| Government | |
| • Territorial Authority | Nelson City Council |
| • Nelson City Mayor | Nick Smith[1] |
| • Nelson MP | Rachel Boyack |
| • Te Tai Tonga MP | Tākuta Ferris |
| Area | |
• Total | 1.21 km2 (0.47 sq mi) |
| Population (June 2025)[3] | |
• Total | 2,610 |
| • Density | 2,160/km2 (5,590/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+12 (NZST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+13 (NZDT) |
| Postcode | 7010 |
| Area code | 03 |
Nelson South is an inner suburb ofNelson, New Zealand. It lies to the southwest of Nelson city centre, between it andBishopdale, close to the foot ofThe Grampians. The main inland route toStoke, New Zealand, Waimea Road, is Nelson South's main road.
The suburb includes bothNelson Hospital andNelson College.[4]
It also has six public reserves: Fairfield Park, the Melrose Gardens, Ronaki Reserve, Waimea North Reserve, Wellington Reserve and Wigzell Park.[5]
The Rutherford statistical area, which corresponds to the northern part of Nelson South, covers 1.21 km2 (0.47 sq mi).[2] It had an estimated population of 2,610 as of June 2025,[3] with a population density of 2,157 people per km2.
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 2,475 | — |
| 2013 | 2,490 | +0.09% |
| 2018 | 2,583 | +0.74% |
| Source:[6] | ||
Rutherford had a population of 2,583 at the2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 93 people (3.7%) since the2013 census, and an increase of 108 people (4.4%) since the2006 census. There were 1,008 households, comprising 1,227 males and 1,356 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.9 males per female. The median age was 42.2 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 471 people (18.2%) aged under 15 years, 498 (19.3%) aged 15 to 29, 1,200 (46.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 414 (16.0%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 85.4% European/Pākehā, 8.7%Māori, 2.3%Pasifika, 10.5%Asian, and 1.6% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 32.1, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 59.7% had no religion, 27.2% wereChristian, 2.7% wereHindu, 0.1% wereMuslim, 1.9% wereBuddhist and 2.9% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 783 (37.1%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 210 (9.9%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $33,300, compared with $31,800 nationally. 399 people (18.9%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 996 (47.2%) people were employed full-time, 450 (21.3%) were part-time, and 63 (3.0%) were unemployed.[6]
Nelson College is state secondary school for Year 9 to 13 boys,[7][8] with a roll of 970 as of July 2025.[9]
Nelson College Preparatory School is a private preparatory school for Year 7 to 8 boys, located on the Nelson College Campus.[10] It has a roll of 93.[11]
Hampden Street School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 6 students,[12][13] with a roll of 421 as of July 2025.[14]
Victory Primary School is also a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 6 students,[15][16] with a roll of 351.[17]
Nelson Intermediate School is a co-educational state intermediate school for Year 7 and 8 students,[18][19] with a roll of 408.[20]