Benhar, New Zealand
Benhar | |
|---|---|
Rural settlement | |
 McSkimming & Son pottery works at Benhar, 1926 | |
 | |
| Coordinates: 46°13′30″S 169°47′38″E / 46.225°S 169.794°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Otago |
| District | Clutha |
| Ward | Balclutha |
| Electorates |
|
| Government | |
| • Territorial authority | Clutha District Council |
| • Regional council | Otago Regional Council |
| • Mayor of Clutha | Bryan Cadogan |
| • Taieri MP | Ingrid Leary |
| • Te Tai Tonga MP | Tākuta Ferris |
| Area | |
• Total | 0.71 km2 (0.27 sq mi) |
| Population (June 2024)[2] | |
• Total | 100 |
| • Density | 140/km2 (360/sq mi) |
| Local iwi | Ngāi Tahu |
Benhar is a town in New Zealand. It is located five kilometres east of Balclutha in South Otago, close to the small Lake Tuakitoto.[3]
Benhar was formerly the site of one of New Zealand's largest domestic porcelain factories,[4] closing in 1990 after a large fire destroyed the factory and surrounding warehouses. The factory initially started manufacturing ceramic pipes and bricks, supplying the rapid growth of Dunedin's infrastructure before diversifying into pottery ware and then sanitary ware which was freighted from the factory's own rail yard. The factory was owned by Peter McSkimming senior (1840s–1923) and then his son (Peter McSkimming junior) and son-in-law (Parker McKinlay).[5]
Demographics
[edit]Benhar is described by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement. It covers 0.71 km2 (0.27 sq mi),[1] and had an estimated population of 100 as of June 2024,[2] with a population density of 141 people per km2. It is part of the larger Benhar-Stirling statistical area.[6]
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 96 | — |
| 2013 | 99 | +0.44% |
| 2018 | 90 | −1.89% |
| Source: [7] | ||
Benhar had a population of 90 at the 2018 New Zealand census, a decrease of 9 people (−9.1%) since the 2013 census, and a decrease of 6 people (−6.2%) since the 2006 census. There were 39 households, comprising 51 males and 39 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.31 males per female. The median age was 37.6 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 18 people (20.0%) aged under 15 years, 18 (20.0%) aged 15 to 29, 48 (53.3%) aged 30 to 64, and 9 (10.0%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 86.7% European/Pākehā, 16.7% Māori, and 6.7% Asian. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 50.0% had no religion, 33.3% were Christian, 3.3% were Muslim and 10.0% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 9 (12.5%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 18 (25.0%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $38,300, compared with $31,800 nationally. 9 people (12.5%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 42 (58.3%) people were employed full-time, 9 (12.5%) were part-time, and 6 (8.3%) were unemployed.[7]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
- ^ a b "Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
- ^ Harriss, Gavin (November 2021). Benhar, Otago (Map). NZ Topo Map.
- ^ "Clay toilets". teara.govt.nz. New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
- ^ Hannah, Robert. "McSkimming, Peter". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
- ^ 2018 Census place summary: Benhar-Stirling
- ^ a b "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. 7029099.