Glenorchy, New Zealand

Glenorchy is a small settlement at the northern end of Lake Wakatipu in the South Island region of Otago, New Zealand. It is approximately 45 km (28 mi) by road or boat from Queenstown, the nearest large town. There are two pubs, a café and a range of small shops in the town catering mainly to tourists but also to the small resident population. There is also a small airstrip which caters to small planes.

Glenorchy
Town
Boatshed near wharf
Boatshed near wharf
Coordinates: 44°51′01″S 168°23′18″E
CountryNew Zealand
RegionOtago
Territorial authorityQueenstown Lakes District
WardQueenstown-Wakatipu Ward
Surveyed1864
Government
 • Local authorityQueenstown-Lakes District Council
 • Regional councilOtago Regional Council
Area
[1]
 • Total3.93 km2 (1.52 sq mi)
Population
 (2018 census)[2]
 • Total318
 • Density81/km2 (210/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+12 (NZST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+13 (NZDT)
Postcode
9372[3]
Area code03
Local iwiNgāi Tahu

The locality of Paradise is nearby.

The Dart River / Te Awa Whakatipu and Rees River flow into the head of Lake Wakatipu next to Glenorchy.

Naming

Glenorchy was named after Glen Orchy, a valley in Argyll, Scotland.[4]

Demographics

Glenorchy is described by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement. It covers 3.93 km2 (1.52 sq mi).[1] It is part of the much larger Glenorchy statistical area.

Historical population of Glenorchy settlement
YearPop.±% p.a.
2006192—    
2013261+4.48%
2018318+4.03%
Source: [2]

Glenorchy settlement had a population of 318 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 57 people (21.8%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 126 people (65.6%) since the 2006 census. There were 129 households. There were 159 males and 159 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.0 males per female, with 39 people (12.3%) aged under 15 years, 63 (19.8%) aged 15 to 29, 183 (57.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 33 (10.4%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 91.5% European/Pākehā, 6.6% Māori, 1.9% Pacific peoples, 3.8% Asian, and 3.8% other ethnicities (totals add to more than 100% since people could identify with multiple ethnicities).

Although some people objected to giving their religion, 69.8% had no religion, 21.7% were Christian, 0.9% were Buddhist and 2.8% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 75 (26.9%) people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 27 (9.7%) people had no formal qualifications. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 198 (71.0%) people were employed full-time, 36 (12.9%) were part-time, and 6 (2.2%) were unemployed.[2]

The head of Lake Wakatipu, Glenorchy

Glenorchy statistical area

The Glenorchy statistical area also includes Paradise and covers 1,464.37 km2 (565.40 sq mi).[1] It had an estimated population of 580 as of June 2023,[5] with a population density of 0.4 people per km2.

Historical population of the statistical area
YearPop.±% p.a.
2006273—    
2013363+4.15%
2018450+4.39%
Source: [6]

The statistical area had a population of 450 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 87 people (24.0%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 177 people (64.8%) since the 2006 census. There were 177 households. There were 222 males and 225 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.99 males per female. The median age was 40.2 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 51 people (11.3%) aged under 15 years, 84 (18.7%) aged 15 to 29, 261 (58.0%) aged 30 to 64, and 48 (10.7%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 92.0% European/Pākehā, 5.3% Māori, 2.0% Pacific peoples, 3.3% Asian, and 3.3% other ethnicities (totals add to more than 100% since people could identify with multiple ethnicities).

The proportion of people born overseas was 35.3%, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people objected to giving their religion, 66.7% had no religion, 24.7% were Christian, 1.3% were Buddhist and 2.0% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 105 (26.3%) people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 36 (9.0%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $38,000, compared with $31,800 nationally. 69 people (17.3%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 276 (69.2%) people were employed full-time, 60 (15.0%) were part-time, and 6 (1.5%) were unemployed.[6]

General store

Activities

Glenorchy is a popular tourist spot, close to many tramping tracks. It lies near the borders of Mount Aspiring National Park and Fiordland National Park. The Routeburn Track, one of the New Zealand Great Walks can be accessed by passing through Glenorchy. Lesser known tracks such as the Greenstone and Caples Tracks and the Rees and Dart Tracks can also be accessed.

Some of the activities that can be experienced in or near Glenorchy include: canyoning, fly fishing, jet boating, horse riding, kayaking, mountain biking, skiing, snowboarding, skydiving and boating. Just past the Glenorchy Golf Club is a circular public boardwalk which passes through the Glenorchy Lagoon and is a popular short walk for tourists and locals.

Film location

Films

Television
  • The 2013 BBC television miniseries Top of the Lake was also filmed in the area and was set in and around Paradise. While Queenstown is referred to during the series, Glenorchy doubles as the fictitious town of Laketop.[7]

Education

Glenorchy School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students,[8] with a roll of 34 as of April 2023.[9] The first school in the area opened in 1884 at Kinloch, and another opened in 1888 on the road to Paradise. The present school opened near Buckleburn in 1911, and moved to its current site in 1939.[10]

See also

References
  1. "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
  2. "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. 7027927 (7027927) and 7027928 (7027928).
  3. "Address & Postcode Finder". nzpost.co.nz. New Zealand Post. Retrieved 17 September 2015.
  4. Jardine, D.G. (1978). Shadows on the Hill. A.H. & A.W. Reed Ltd. p. 185. ISBN 0589010093.
  5. "Population estimate tables - NZ.Stat". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  6. "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Glenorchy (346000). 2018 Census place summary: Glenorchy
  7. "Elisabeth Moss, Top of the Lake interview". Vulture. 25 January 2013. Retrieved 31 August 2014.
  8. "Glenorchy School Ministry of Education School Profile". educationcounts.govt.nz. Ministry of Education.
  9. "Glenorchy School Education Review Office Report". ero.govt.nz. Education Review Office.
  10. "Glenorchy School Since 1884". Glenorchy School. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
  • Reed, A. W. (2002). The Reed Dictionary of New Zealand Place Names. Auckland: Reed Books. ISBN 0-7900-0761-4.
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