# Ashley Gorge

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River Gorge and rural locality in New Zealand

The **Ashley Gorge** is a river [gorge](/source/Canyon) of the [Ashley River / Rakahuri](/source/Ashley_River_%2F_Rakahuri) in [Canterbury](/source/Canterbury%2C_New_Zealand), New Zealand.[1] The river is bridged at the mouth of the gorge by the [Inland Scenic Route](/source/Inland_Scenic_Route), formerly designated State Highway 72.[2] A popular picnic ground and camping area is adjacent to the bridge.[3] Upstream of the gorge the river flows through the [Lees Valley](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lees_Valley&action=edit&redlink=1).[3]

Ashley Gorge is also the name of a small rural locality 2.5 km southwest of the bridge.[4]

## Demographics

The Ashley Gorge statistical area covers 336.41 km2 (129.89 sq mi).[5] It had an estimated population of 1,400 as of June 2025,[6] with a population density of 4.16 people per km2.

‹ The [template](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Template) *[Historical populations](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Historical_populations)* is being [considered for merging](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Templates_for_discussion/Log/2026_June_24#Template:Infobox_demographics). ›

Historical population Year Pop. ±% p.a. 2006 690 — 2013 1,002 +5.47% 2018 1,134 +2.51% Source: [7]

Ashley Gorge had a population of 1,134 at the [2018 New Zealand census](/source/2018_New_Zealand_census), an increase of 132 people (13.2%) since the [2013 census](/source/2013_New_Zealand_census), and an increase of 444 people (64.3%) since the [2006 census](/source/2006_New_Zealand_census). There were 420 households, comprising 591 males and 543 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.09 males per female. The median age was 42.3 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 225 people (19.8%) aged under 15 years, 177 (15.6%) aged 15 to 29, 585 (51.6%) aged 30 to 64, and 147 (13.0%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 95.8% European/[Pākehā](/source/P%C4%81keh%C4%81), 5.0% [Māori](/source/M%C4%81ori_people), 1.1% [Pasifika](/source/Pasifika_New_Zealanders), 2.1% [Asian](/source/Asian_New_Zealanders), and 2.4% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 20.1, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 55.3% had no religion, 34.4% were [Christian](/source/Christianity_in_New_Zealand) and 2.9% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 159 (17.5%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 171 (18.8%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $33,000, compared with $31,800 nationally. 147 people (16.2%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 510 (56.1%) people were employed full-time, 150 (16.5%) were part-time, and 18 (2.0%) were unemployed.[7]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Kiwi Guardians at Ashley Gorge"](https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/toyota-kiwi-guardians/all-sites/south-island/ashley-gorge/). *[Department of Conservation](/source/Department_of_Conservation_(New_Zealand))*. Retrieved 30 January 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Ashley River at Gorge Bridge"](https://www.theswimguide.org/beach/6853). *Swim Guide*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210208160835/https://www.theswimguide.org/beach/6853) from the original on 8 February 2021. Retrieved 30 January 2021.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_3-1) ["Ashley Gorge: a summer haven"](https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/christchurch-life/travel-orig/south-island-travel/27103/Ashley-Gorge-a-summer-haven). *Stuff*. 17 February 2009. Retrieved 30 January 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Ashley Gorge, Canterbury"](https://www.topomap.co.nz/NZTopoMap/nz32837/Ashley-Gorge/). *NZ Topo Map*. Retrieved 30 January 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Area_5-0)** ["ArcGIS Web Application"](https://statsnz.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=6f49867abe464f86ac7526552fe19787). *statsnz.maps.arcgis.com*. Retrieved 29 August 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-NZ_population_data_2023_SA2_6-0)** ["Subnational population estimates - Aotearoa Data Explorer"](https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/?fs%5b0%5d=Society%2C1%7CPopulation%20estimates%23CAT_POPULATION_ESTIMATES%23%7CSubnational%20population%20estimates%23CAT_SUBNATIONAL_POPULATION_ESTIMATES%23&pg=0&bp=true&snb=10&isAvailabilityDisabled=false). [Statistics New Zealand](/source/Statistics_New_Zealand). Retrieved 29 October 2025.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Census_2018_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Census_2018_7-1) ["Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census"](https://www.stats.govt.nz/information-releases/statistical-area-1-dataset-for-2018-census-updated-march-2020). Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Ashley Gorge (313100). [2018 Census place summary: Ashley Gorge](https://www.stats.govt.nz/tools/2018-census-place-summaries/ashley-gorge)

[43°13′41.95″S 172°13′45.24″E / 43.2283194°S 172.2292333°E / -43.2283194; 172.2292333](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=Ashley_Gorge&params=43_13_41.95_S_172_13_45.24_E_region:NZ)

v t e Waimakariri District, New Zealand Populated places; seat: Rangiora • Waimakariri District Council Kaiapoi-Woodend Ward Kaiapoi-Tuahiwi Sub-Division Clarkville Kaiapoi Kairaki Ohapuku The Pines Beach Flaxton Tuahiwi Woodend-Sefton Sub-Division Coldstream Pegasus Saltwater Creek Sefton Waikuku Waikuku Beach Woodend Woodend Beach Oxford-Ohoka Ward Ohoka-Swannanoa Sub-Division Eyreton Eyrewell Mandeville North Ohoka Swannanoa West Eyreton Wetheral Wilsons Siding Oxford Sub-Division Ashley Gorge Bennetts Bexley Burnt Hill Carleton Coopers Creek Gammans Creek Glenburn Glentui Horrellville Lees Valley Oxford Okuku Range Rockford Starvation Hill The Warren View Hill Okuku Hills Rangiora-Ashley Ward Ashley Sub-Division Ashley Loburn Loburn North Okuku Whiterock Cust Fernside Springbank Summerhill Rangiora Sub-Division Rangiora Southbrook Schools Primary Ashgrove Ashley Clarkville Cust Fernside Kaiapoi Borough Kaiapoi North Loburn North Loburn Ohoka Pegasus Bay (formerly Waikuku) Rangiora Borough Sefton Southbrook St Joseph's St Patrick's Swannanoa Tuahiwi West Eyreton Woodend View Hill Secondary Kaiapoi High Karanga Mai Young Parents' College Rangiora High Area Oxford Area Rangiora New Life Disestablished Primary Okuku Whiterock Facilities Dudley Park, Rangiora Mandeville Sports Centre Rangiora Recreation Ground Rangiora Airport Sports clubs Rangiora AFC Waimakariri United Electorates Historic Ashley Hurunui Kaiapoi Rangiora Current Kaikōura Waimakariri Member of Parliament for the Kaikōura electorate N Doug Kidd (1996–99) N Lynda Scott (1999–2005) N Colin King (2005–14) N Stuart Smith (2014–present) for the Waimakariri electorate L Mike Moore (1996–99) L Clayton Cosgrove (1999–2011) N Kate Wilkinson (2011–14) N Matt Doocey (2014–present) Mayor Trevor Inch (1989–95) Janice Skurr (1995–2001) Jim Gerard (2001–07) Ron Keating (2007–10) David Ayers (2010–2019) Dan Gordon (2019–present) Bodies of water Ashley Gorge Ashley River / Rakahuri Cam River / Ruataniwha Cust River Glentui River Kaiapoi River Karetu River Lilburne River Makerikeri River Okuku River Pegasus Bay Waimakariri Gorge Waimakariri River Ashley Estuary Transportation State Highway 71 Main North Line Eyreton Branch Oxford Branch Public transport in Christchurch Go Bus Christchurch Other MainPower Compass FM 104.9 bold - main town; bold & italics - minor town; normal text - locality; italics - minor locality

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Ashley Gorge](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashley_Gorge) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashley_Gorge?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.