Renwick
A country road and vineyard in Renwick
Coordinates: 41°30′34″S 173°49′48″E / 41.50944°S 173.83000°E / -41.50944; 173.83000
Country	New Zealand
Region	Marlborough
Ward	Wairau-Awatere General Ward Marlborough Māori Ward
Electorates	Kaikōura Te Tai Tonga (Māori)
Government
• Territorial Authority	Marlborough District Council
• Marlborough District Mayor	Nadine Taylor
• Kaikōura MP	Stuart Smith
• Te Tai Tonga MP	Tākuta Ferris
Area [1]
• Total	2.32 km2 (0.90 sq mi)
Population  (June 2023)[2]
• Total	2,630
• Density	1,100/km2 (2,900/sq mi)

Renwick is a small town in Marlborough, New Zealand, close to the south bank of the Wairau River. It is located on State Highway 6, 12 kilometres (7 mi) west of Blenheim. Havelock is 31 km (19 mi) north. State Highway 63 runs southwest from Renwick through the Wairau River valley.^[3][4]

The town was initially known as "Upper Wairau", and then as "Renwicktown" after an early landowner, Dr. Thomas Renwick.^[5][6]

Renwick is located in the centre of Marlborough's grape growing region. Sauvignon blanc is the variety usually associated with the area, and famous wineries such as Isabel Estate and Forrest Estate are in close proximity. Pinot Gris (Grey Pinot) is also exported.

Demographics

Renwick is defined by Statistics New Zealand as a small urban area and covers 2.32 km² (0.90 sq mi).^[1] It had an estimated population of 2,630 as of June 2023,^[2] with a population density of 1,134 people per km².

Renwick had a population of 2,418 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 165 people (7.3%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 456 people (23.2%) since the 2006 census. There were 909 households, comprising 1,218 males and 1,200 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.01 males per female. The median age was 39.6 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 546 people (22.6%) aged under 15 years, 351 (14.5%) aged 15 to 29, 1,131 (46.8%) aged 30 to 64, and 390 (16.1%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 93.1% European/Pākehā, 11.0% Māori, 1.4% Pasifika, 2.0% Asian, and 2.6% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 14.9, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 60.8% had no religion, 28.5% were Christian, 0.2% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.5% were Buddhist and 1.9% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 270 (14.4%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 408 (21.8%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $37,000, compared with $31,800 nationally. 312 people (16.7%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 1,038 (55.4%) people were employed full-time, 309 (16.5%) were part-time, and 42 (2.2%) were unemployed.^[7]

Education

Renwick School is a coeducational full primary school (years 1–8), with a decile rating of 8 with a role of 457 students (as of February 2024).^[8]

The first school in Renwick opened at the beginning of 1861,^[9] using the Presbyterian Church as a schoolroom. It was the second school in Marlborough. The present school opened in 1864.^[10]