Lepperton

Lepperton
Interactive map of Lepperton
Coordinates: 39°3′37″S 174°12′38″E / 39.06028°S 174.21056°E / -39.06028; 174.21056
CountryNew Zealand
RegionTaranaki Region
Territorial authorityNew Plymouth District
Ward
  • North General Ward
  • Te Purutanga Mauri Pūmanawa Māori Ward
CommunityWaitara Community
Electorates
Government
 • Territorial AuthorityNew Plymouth District Council
 • Regional councilTaranaki Regional Council
 • Mayor of New PlymouthMax Brough
 • New Plymouth MPDavid MacLeod
 • Te Tai Hauāuru MPDebbie Ngarewa-Packer
Area
 • Total
1.26 km2 (0.49 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2025)
 • Total
410
 • Density330/km2 (840/sq mi)

Lepperton is a small village in North Taranaki, New Zealand. It is approximately 6 km (3.7 mi) inland from Waitara township, 5 km (3.1 mi) west of the Waitara River, and 1 km (0.62 mi) east of State Highway 3A, which connects Inglewood to Waitara.

Demographics

Lepperton is described by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement which covers 1.26 km2 (0.49 sq mi). It had an estimated population of 410 as of June 2025, with a population density of 325 people per km2. Lepperton is part of the larger Lepperton-Brixton statistical area.

Historical population for Lepperton
YearPop.±% p.a.
2006300—    
2013231−3.66%
2018294+4.94%
2023384+5.49%
The 2006 population is for a larger area of 7.63 km2.
Source:

Lepperton had a population of 384 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 90 people (30.6%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 153 people (66.2%) since the 2013 census. There were 195 males and 186 females in 129 dwellings. 0.8% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 35.8 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 99 people (25.8%) aged under 15 years, 48 (12.5%) aged 15 to 29, 192 (50.0%) aged 30 to 64, and 42 (10.9%) aged 65 or older.

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 90.6% European (Pākehā), 17.2% Māori, 3.9% Pasifika, 5.5% Asian, and 3.1% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 96.1%, Māori by 1.6%, and other languages by 3.1%. No language could be spoken by 3.1% (e.g. too young to talk). The percentage of people born overseas was 10.2, compared with 28.8% nationally.

Religious affiliations were 24.2% Christian, 0.8% Hindu, and 0.8% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 64.8%, and 8.6% of people did not answer the census question.

Of those at least 15 years old, 54 (18.9%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 180 (63.2%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 57 (20.0%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $50,700, compared with $41,500 nationally. 42 people (14.7%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 168 (58.9%) full-time, 45 (15.8%) part-time, and 6 (2.1%) unemployed.

Lepperton-Brixton

Lepperton-Brixton statistical area covers 46.52 km2 (17.96 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 1,970 as of June 2025, with a population density of 42 people per km2.

Historical population for Lepperton-Brixton
YearPop.±% p.a.
20061,296—    
20131,524+2.34%
20181,725+2.51%
20231,893+1.88%
Source:

Lepperton-Brixton had a population of 1,893 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 168 people (9.7%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 369 people (24.2%) since the 2013 census. There were 960 males, 930 females, and 6 people of other genders in 690 dwellings. 1.4% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 42.3 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 387 people (20.4%) aged under 15 years, 258 (13.6%) aged 15 to 29, 903 (47.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 342 (18.1%) aged 65 or older.

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 89.1% European (Pākehā); 20.4% Māori; 1.4% Pasifika; 3.8% Asian; 0.5% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 3.3% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 97.9%, Māori by 3.6%, and other languages by 4.9%. No language could be spoken by 1.7% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.3%. The percentage of people born overseas was 11.1, compared with 28.8% nationally.

Religious affiliations were 26.8% Christian, 0.2% Hindu, 0.5% Islam, 0.5% Māori religious beliefs, 0.2% Buddhist, 0.5% New Age, and 0.6% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 60.7%, and 9.7% of people did not answer the census question.

Of those at least 15 years old, 225 (14.9%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 912 (60.6%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 369 (24.5%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $43,400, compared with $41,500 nationally. 180 people (12.0%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 789 (52.4%) full-time, 285 (18.9%) part-time, and 24 (1.6%) unemployed.

Kairoa Pa

Near Lepperton is Kairoa Pa, an historic centre for local Maori settlement. It is also an entry point for the Whakaahurangi track to Ketemarae Pa near Normanby. This track linked northern and southern Taranaki before British settlement.

Climate

Climate data for Lepperton, New Zealand
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Daily mean °C (°F) 17
(63)		 17
(63)		 16
(61)		 14
(57)		 12
(54)		 10
(50)		 9
(48)		 10
(50)		 11
(52)		 12
(54)		 14
(57)		 16
(61)		 13
(55)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 103
(4.1)		 92
(3.6)		 105
(4.1)		 124
(4.9)		 145
(5.7)		 149
(5.9)		 158
(6.2)		 139
(5.5)		 111
(4.4)		 117
(4.6)		 120
(4.7)		 119
(4.7)		 1,481
(58.3)
Source: Weatherbase

Education

Lepperton School is a coeducational contributing primary (years 1-6) school with a roll of 123 students as of July 2026. The school was founded in 1870.

References

  1. ↑ "Declaration of Results of Election and Poll" (PDF). New Plymouth District Council. 17 October 2025.
  2. ↑ "New Plymouth - Preliminary Count". Electoral Commission. 7 November 2026. Retrieved 9 November 2026.
  3. ↑ "Te Tai Hauāuru - Preliminary Count". Electoral Commission. 7 November 2026. Retrieved 10 November 2026.
  4. 1 2 "Stats NZ Geographic Data Service". Urban Rural 2023 (generalised). Retrieved 29 September 2025.
  5. 1 2 "Subnational population estimates - Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
  6. ↑ Peter Dowling, ed. (2004), Reed New Zealand Atlas, Reed Books, pp. map 34, ISBN 0-7900-0952-8
  7. ↑ Roger Smith, GeographX (2005), The Geographic Atlas of New Zealand, Robbie Burton, pp. map 85, ISBN 1-877333-20-4
  8. ↑ "Geographic Boundary Viewer". Stats NZ. Urban Rural – 2023 and Statistical Area 2 – 2023.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Lepperton (1309). Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  10. ↑ "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. 7017111, 7017112 and 7017138.
  11. ↑ "Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  12. ↑ "Stats NZ Geographic Data Service". Statistical Area 2 2023 (generalised). Retrieved 29 September 2025.
  13. ↑ "Subnational population estimates - Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Lepperton-Brixton (219000). Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  15. ↑ "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Lepperton-Brixton (219000). 2018 Census place summary: Lepperton-Brixton
  16. ↑ "Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  17. ↑ New Plymouth District Council: Waahi Tapu Sites
  18. ↑ Te Ao Hou: Recent Books on the Maori, June 1959
  19. ↑ "Climate Statistics for Lepperton, New Zealand". Retrieved 25 December 2011.
  20. ↑ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  21. ↑ "Lepperton School - Education Counts". www.educationcounts.govt.nz.
  22. ↑ "Lepperton School". Ministry of Education.
  23. ↑ Lepperton School and community reunion magazine : celebrating 125 years of education and community life, 1870-1995, Lepperton School, 1995

Further reading

General historical works

Even the Dogs Have Forgotten to Bark A 284 A4 page fully indexed comprehensive history of Lepperton, Sentry Hill and Waiongana. Author PT Wilson published 2012 ISBN 978-0-473-21026-7 Available in most Taranaki libraries.

  • Lepperton School and community reunion magazine: celebrating 125 years of education and community life, 1870-1995, Lepperton, [N.Z.]: The School, 1995

A second edition of "Even the Dogs Have Forgotten to Bark" was published in 2020. Largely a reprint but some important updates have been made. (ISBN 978-0-473-50951-4) A few copies of the book are still available. This edition is also available in most Taranaki libraries. Authors website is https://wisdomisashelter.co.nz

Business history

  • Quickfall, W.H. (1967), The Lepperton Co-operative Dairy Factory Company Limited: diamond jubilee, 1892-1967, New Plymouth, [N.Z.]: Masterprint

Churches

Anglican

  • The village church: St. Marks Church, Lepperton, 1900-2000, Lepperton, [N.Z.]: The Church, 2000
  • Alexander, Ada C. (1976), St John the Baptist, Waitara: centenary, 1876-1976., New Plymouth, [N.Z.]: Taranaki Newspapers

Maps

  • New Zealand Department of Lands & Survey (1906), Township of Lepperton, Paritutu Survey District, Wellington, [N.Z.]: New Zealand Department of Lands & Survey Scale: 1: 4 752 (i.e. 1/13.3 in. to the mile)
  • New Zealand Department of Lands & Survey (1930), Lepperton, Wellington, [N.Z.]: New Zealand Department of Lands & Survey Scale: 1: 20 000 (i.e. 1/3.17 in. to the mile) NZMS 43
  • New Zealand Department of Lands & Survey (1962), Lepperton, Wellington, [N.Z.]: New Zealand Department of Lands & Survey Scale: 1: 25 000 (i.e. 1/2.53 in. to the mile) NZMS 2; N109/1 & N99/7
  • Palmer, Robin W.P. (1989), Lepperton District soil map, n.p.: n.p. Scale: 1: 20 000 (i.e. 1/3.17 in. to the mile)

Railways

  • Julian, C.E. (1970), The Waitara branch line, New Plymouth, [N.Z.]: C.E. Julian for the Taranaki Locomotive Society

Schools

  • 1870-1970, Lepperton School centennial jubilee, Lepperton, [N.Z.]: Centenary Committee, 1970
  • Lepperton School and community reunion magazine: celebrating 125 years of education and community life, 1870-1995, Lepperton, [N.Z.]: The School, 1995