Greerton is a major suburb of Tauranga, the largest city in the Bay of Plenty region of New Zealand. Greerton is named after Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Harpur Greer, commander of the British forces during the Battle of Gate Pā.[3]
Greerton | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Coordinates: 37°43′41″S 176°07′52″E / 37.728°S 176.131°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| City | Tauranga |
| Local authority | Tauranga City Council |
| Electoral ward |
|
| Area | |
| • Land | 421 ha (1,040 acres) |
| Population (June 2023)[2] | |
| • Total | 4,600 |
| Bethlehem | Gate Pa | Merivale |
| Tauriko |   Greerton  | Poike |
| Pyes Pa |
Demographics
Greerton covers 4.21 km2 (1.63 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 4,600 as of June 2023,[2] with a population density of 1,093 people per km2.
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 3,696 | — |
| 2013 | 3,735 | +0.15% |
| 2018 | 4,128 | +2.02% |
| Source: [4] | ||
Greerton had a population of 4,128 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 393 people (10.5%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 432 people (11.7%) since the 2006 census. There were 1,671 households, comprising 1,926 males and 2,205 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.87 males per female, with 762 people (18.5%) aged under 15 years, 828 (20.1%) aged 15 to 29, 1,593 (38.6%) aged 30 to 64, and 945 (22.9%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 77.5% European/Pākehā, 20.2% Māori, 3.3% Pacific peoples, 11.0% Asian, and 1.8% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 19.9, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 49.6% had no religion, 31.4% were Christian, 1.5% had Māori religious beliefs, 2.8% were Hindu, 0.1% were Muslim, 0.8% were Buddhist and 4.9% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 402 (11.9%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 843 (25.0%) people had no formal qualifications. 237 people (7.0%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 1,488 (44.2%) people were employed full-time, 450 (13.4%) were part-time, and 135 (4.0%) were unemployed.[4]
| Name | Area (km2) | Population | Density (per km2) | Households | Median age | Median income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greerton South | 2.81 | 690 | 246 | 258 | 41.2 years | $25,100[5] |
| Greerton North | 1.40 | 3,438 | 2,456 | 1,413 | 39.4 years | $24,700[6] |
| New Zealand | 37.4 years | $31,800 |
History
It was originally a small village located several kilometres south of Tauranga but was swallowed up by urban development. A military village of 125 one acre lots, the Township of Greerton, was surveyed near Gate Pā. Military settlers were allowed a choice of one acre there or a quarter acre in Te Papa. Originally, very few settlers took up town sections in Greerton.[7]
In 1864 the Tauranga Campaign was fought in the neighbouring suburb of Gate Pā with Māori troops withdrawing through Greerton to Pyes Pa.[8][9]
Culture
The Greerton community celebrates the cherry blossom festival in the third week of September every year.[10]
Education
Greerton has two co-educational state primary schools: Greerton Village School,[11][12] with a roll of 304,[13] and Greenpark School,[14] with a roll of 660.[15]
Greerton is also zoned for Tauranga Intermediate, Tauranga Boys' College and Tauranga Girls' College.[16][17]
Recreation
Tauranga Racecourse | Mārawaewae is situated on Cameron Road next to Tauranga Golf Course, at the southern end of Greerton Village.
Greerton also has several parks: Greerton Park, Liston Park, Moreland Fox Park, Pemberton Park and Yatton Park.