The first European settlers were George Dodson, William Soper, and Dr Vickerman, in 1850.[5] There was a major flood in 1926, when the Wairau River burst its embankments.[6]
Spring Creek is defined by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement. It covers 3.30 km2 (1.27 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 640 as of June 2023,[2] with a population density of 194 people per km2. It is part of the larger Spring Creek-Grovetown statistical area.
Spring Creek had a population of 576 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 33 people (6.1%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 3 people (0.5%) since the 2006 census. There were 204 households, comprising 315 males and 258 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.22 males per female, with 108 people (18.8%) aged under 15 years, 84 (14.6%) aged 15 to 29, 300 (52.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 93 (16.1%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 87.5% European/Pākehā, 19.8% Māori, 0.5% Pasifika, 3.1% Asian, and 3.1% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 61.5% had no religion, 27.6% were Christian, 2.1% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.5% were Hindu, and 1.0% were Buddhist.
Of those at least 15 years old, 45 (9.6%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 150 (32.1%) people had no formal qualifications. 60 people (12.8%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 267 (57.1%) people were employed full-time, 81 (17.3%) were part-time, and 9 (1.9%) were unemployed.[10]
Spring Creek-Grovetown statistical area
Spring Creek-Grovetown statistical area also includes Grovetown. It covers 9.69 km2 (3.74 sq mi).[1] It had an estimated population of 1,210 as of June 2023,[11] with a population density of 125 people per km2.
Spring Creek-Grovetown had a population of 1,071 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 99 people (10.2%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 81 people (8.2%) since the 2006 census. There were 381 households, comprising 576 males and 492 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.17 males per female. The median age was 44.2 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 198 people (18.5%) aged under 15 years, 144 (13.4%) aged 15 to 29, 552 (51.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 177 (16.5%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 89.6% European/Pākehā, 16.5% Māori, 0.6% Pasifika, 3.1% Asian, and 2.2% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 11.2, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 59.9% had no religion, 29.4% were Christian, 1.1% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.3% were Hindu, 0.8% were Buddhist and 2.0% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 105 (12.0%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 237 (27.1%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $34,500, compared with $31,800 nationally. 129 people (14.8%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 492 (56.4%) people were employed full-time, 141 (16.2%) were part-time, and 21 (2.4%) were unemployed.[12]
Education
Spring Creek School is a coeducational contributing primary (years 1–6) school with a roll of 35 students (as of April 2023).[13][14] A school was first founded in Spring Creek in 1861 or 1863.[15] The present school was founded in 1873.[16][17]
^Loveridge, Barry Ernest (1973). The centennial history and compilation of records of the Spring Creek School (formerly Marlboroughtown) and the Wairau Pa School, Marlborough, N.Z.
^Hale, Allen M (1954). Marlboroughtown Spring Creek School: A History and Compilation of School Records. Marlboroughtown Spring Creek School Jubilee Committee. Published ... on the occasion of the 81st anniversary of the School, April 17th, 18th, and 19th, 1954
References
McIntosh, Alister; Redman, William Edward; Allen, William Raymond, eds. (1940). Marlborough: A Provincial History. Blenheim: Marlborough Provincial Historical Committee.
