Ruby Bay

Ruby Bay
Rural settlement
The view from Ruby Bay beach across Tasman Bay to Nelson and the Barnicoat Range.
The view from Ruby Bay beach across Tasman Bay to Nelson and the Barnicoat Range.
Interactive map of Ruby Bay
Coordinates: 41°14′10″S 173°04′59″E / 41.236°S 173.083°E / -41.236; 173.083
CountryNew Zealand
Territorial authorityTasman
WardMoutere-Waimea Ward
Electorates
Government
 • Territorial AuthorityTasman District Council
 • Mayor of TasmanTim King
 • West Coast-Tasman MPMaureen Pugh
 • Te Tai Tonga MPTākuta Ferris
Area
 • Total
4.83 km2 (1.86 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2025)
 • Total
810
 • Density170/km2 (430/sq mi)
Postcode(s)
7005, 7173
Area code03

Ruby Bay is a settlement in the Tasman District of New Zealand's upper South Island. It is located between Māpua and Tasman on Te Mamaku / Ruby Bay. Ruby Bay was named after small 'rubies' (red chert) found within the moutere gravel.

Demographics

Ruby Bay is described by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement. It covers 4.83 km2 (1.86 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 810 as of June 2025, with a population density of 168 people per km2. It is part of the larger Ruby Bay statistical area.

Historical population for the settlement
YearPop.±% p.a.
2006555—    
2013684+3.03%
2018765+2.26%
2023795+0.77%
The 2006 population is for a smaller area of 2.96 km2.
Source:

Ruby Bay had a population of 795 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 30 people (3.9%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 111 people (16.2%) since the 2013 census. There were 393 males and 402 females in 342 dwellings. 1.9% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 57.5 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 96 people (12.1%) aged under 15 years, 66 (8.3%) aged 15 to 29, 363 (45.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 270 (34.0%) aged 65 or older.

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 96.2% European (Pākehā); 3.8% Māori; 1.5% Pasifika; 1.1% Asian; 0.8% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.6% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 98.9%, Māori by 1.1%, Samoan by 0.4%, and other languages by 9.8%. No language could be spoken by 1.1% (e.g. too young to talk). The percentage of people born overseas was 30.9, compared with 28.8% nationally.

Religious affiliations were 23.8% Christian, 0.4% Hindu, 0.4% Buddhist, 0.4% New Age, 0.4% Jewish, and 0.4% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 65.3%, and 9.4% of people did not answer the census question.

Of those at least 15 years old, 243 (34.8%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 315 (45.1%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 138 (19.7%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $36,800, compared with $41,500 nationally. 108 people (15.5%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 252 (36.1%) full-time, 102 (14.6%) part-time, and 18 (2.6%) unemployed.

Ruby Bay statistical area

Ruby Bay statistical area covers 11.72 km2 (4.53 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 1,460 as of June 2025, with a population density of 125 people per km2.

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
20131,143—    
20181,356+3.48%
20231,434+1.12%
Source:

Ruby Bay had a population of 1,434 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 78 people (5.8%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 291 people (25.5%) since the 2013 census. There were 705 males, 726 females, and 3 people of other genders in 573 dwellings. 2.1% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 55.0 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 192 people (13.4%) aged under 15 years, 135 (9.4%) aged 15 to 29, 693 (48.3%) aged 30 to 64, and 414 (28.9%) aged 65 or older.

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 95.4% European (Pākehā); 5.9% Māori; 1.0% Pasifika; 1.5% Asian; 0.4% 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 98.7%, Māori by 1.3%, Samoan by 0.2%, and other languages by 10.0%. No language could be spoken by 1.0% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.2%. The percentage of people born overseas was 29.3, compared with 28.8% nationally.

Religious affiliations were 24.5% Christian, 0.2% Hindu, 0.4% Buddhist, 0.4% New Age, 0.2% Jewish, and 0.4% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 65.3%, and 8.8% of people did not answer the census question.

Of those at least 15 years old, 432 (34.8%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 585 (47.1%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 219 (17.6%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $37,700, compared with $41,500 nationally. 186 people (15.0%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 501 (40.3%) full-time, 201 (16.2%) part-time, and 24 (1.9%) unemployed.

References

  1. ↑ "Election results". Tasman District Council. 17 October 2025.
  2. ↑ "West Coast-Tasman - Official Result". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 8 April 2026.
  3. ↑ "Te Tai Tonga – Official Result". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 23 February 2026.
  4. 1 2 "Stats NZ Geographic Data Service". Urban Rural 2023 (generalised). Retrieved 12 April 2026.
  5. 1 2 "Subnational population estimates - Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
  6. ↑ "Ruby Bay". New Zealand Gazetteer. Toitū Te Whenua - Land Information New Zealand. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
  7. ↑ Wells, B.L. The fruits of labour : a history of the Moutere Hills Area served by the Port of Mapua.
  8. ↑ "Geographic Boundary Viewer". Stats NZ. Urban Rural Areas – 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. Ruby Bay (2014). Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  10. ↑ "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. 7022670–7022672 and 7022676.
  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 12 April 2026.
  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. Ruby Bay (301703). Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  15. ↑ "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.