# Bainham

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Bainham
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Bainham.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bainham
> Source revision: 1349372900
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

Locality in Tasman District, New Zealand

Locality in Tasman, New Zealand

Bainham locality Langford's Store, Bainham, in 1992 Interactive map of Bainham Coordinates: 40°45′50″S 172°34′08″E / 40.764°S 172.569°E / -40.764; 172.569 Country New Zealand Territorial authority Tasman Ward Golden Bay Ward Electorates West Coast-Tasman Te Tai Tonga Government • Territorial Authority Tasman District Council • Mayor of Tasman Tim King[3] • Nelson MP Rachel Boyack[4] • Te Tai Tonga MP Tākuta Ferris[5] Area [1] • Total 736.24 km2 (284.26 sq mi) Population (2023 census)[2] • Total 147 • Density 0.200/km2 (0.517/sq mi) Time zone UTC+12 (NZST) • Summer (DST) UTC+13 (NZDT) Postcode 7054, 7073 Area code 03

**Bainham** is a settlement in the [Tasman District](/source/Tasman_District) of New Zealand. Originally called **Riverdale**, it is located inland from [Golden Bay](/source/Golden_Bay_%2F_Mohua), 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) southwest of [Collingwood](/source/Collingwood%2C_New_Zealand).

Located in the Aorere valley, Bainham is situated on the northwestern side of the [Aorere River](/source/Aorere_River).[6] The settlement was originally called Riverdale, but when a post office was established there in 1896, a name change was required to avoid confusion with similarly named places, including [Riversdale](/source/Riversdale%2C_New_Zealand) in [Southland](/source/Southland%2C_New_Zealand) and [Riverdale](/source/Riverdale%2C_New_Zealand) in [Gisborne](/source/Gisborne%2C_New_Zealand). The chosen name, Bainham, is a [portmanteau](/source/Portmanteau) of the surnames of two of the first European families to settle in the area, Bain and Graham.[7][8] A telegraph office opened at Bainham in 1898.[8]

In 1906, the population of Bainham was over 100, with the main activities in the area being dairy farming, gold mining in the Quartz Ranges, further up the Aorere River, and timber milling.[9][10]

Bainham School opened in 1886 and closed in 1969. Students then went to Rockville School (1879 to 1994)[11] in the lower Aorere valley.[12]

A new combined post office and general store was built in 1928 by the local postmaster, Edward Bates Langford. He leased part of the building to the [Post Office and Telegraph Department](/source/New_Zealand_Post_Office) to provide postal services, while using the remainder as a store.[8] Langford's granddaughter, Lorna Langford, took over as postmistress in 1952 and the running of the general store in 1954. She ran the businesses until retiring in 2009. Lorna Langford died in 2020.[13] The building was accorded historic place category 2 listing by [Heritage New Zealand](/source/Heritage_New_Zealand) in 1990, and has become a tourist attraction in its own right.[8][13]

Bainham is the nearest settlement to the northern end of the [Heaphy Track](/source/Heaphy_Track), 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) to the southwest, and is a gateway to the [Kahurangi National Park](/source/Kahurangi_National_Park).[6][14]

## Demographics

The upper Aorere valley, which includes Bainham, covers 736.24 km2 (284.26 sq mi).[1] It is part of the [Golden Bay / Mohua statistical area](/source/Golden_Bay_%2F_Mohua#Demographics).[15]

‹ 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 123 — 2013 120 −0.35% 2018 117 −0.51% 2023 147 +4.67% Source: [2][16]

The upper valley had a population of 147 in the [2023 New Zealand census](/source/2023_New_Zealand_census), an increase of 30 people (25.6%) since the [2018 census](/source/2018_New_Zealand_census), and an increase of 27 people (22.5%) since the [2013 census](/source/2013_New_Zealand_census). There were 75 males and 72 females in 69 dwellings.[17] 4.1% of people identified as [LGBTIQ+](/source/LGBTQ). The median age was 37.2 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 33 people (22.4%) aged under 15 years, 18 (12.2%) aged 15 to 29, 75 (51.0%) aged 30 to 64, and 21 (14.3%) aged 65 or older.[2]

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 89.8% [European](/source/European_New_Zealanders) ([Pākehā](/source/P%C4%81keh%C4%81)); 20.4% [Māori](/source/M%C4%81ori_people); 4.1% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 4.1% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 98.0%, and other languages by 14.3%. The percentage of people born overseas was 18.4, compared with 28.8% nationally.[2]

Religious affiliations were 8.2% [Christian](/source/Christianity_in_New_Zealand), and 2.0% [New Age](/source/New_Age). People who answered that they had [no religion](/source/Irreligion_in_New_Zealand) were 83.7%, and 6.1% of people did not answer the census question.[2]

Of those at least 15 years old, 12 (10.5%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 72 (63.2%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 24 (21.1%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $33,300, compared with $41,500 nationally. 3 people (2.6%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 57 (50.0%) full-time and 27 (23.7%) part-time.[2]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Area_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Area_1-1) ["Stats NZ Geographic Data Service"](https://datafinder.stats.govt.nz/data/). Statistical Area 1 2023 (generalised). Retrieved 17 April 2026.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Census_2023_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Census_2023_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Census_2023_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Census_2023_2-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Census_2023_2-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-Census_2023_2-5) ["Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses"](https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs%5b0%5d=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df%5bds%5d=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df%5bid%5d=CEN23_TBT_012&df%5bag%5d=STATSNZ&df%5bvs%5d=1.0&dq=hq011%2Bhq010%2Bhq009%2Bhq008%2Bhq007%2Bhq006%2Bhq005%2Bhq004%2Bhq003%2Bhq002%2Bhq001%2Bhq000%2Bws1%2Bsp99%2Bra80%2Bra08%2Bra07%2Bra06%2Bra05%2Bra01%2Bra04%2Bra03%2Bra02%2Bra00%2Brb1%2Bls66%2Bls03%2Bls02%2Bls05%2Bls04%2Bls01%2Beg6%2Beg5%2Beg4%2Beg3%2Beg2%2Beg1%2BbiTotal%2Bbi0%2Bbi1%2BasTotalLG%2Bas4%2Bas3%2Bas2%2Bas1%2Bws4%2Bws3%2Bws2%2Bge3%2Bge2%2Bge1%2Brc%2BasMed%2BegTotal%2BlsTotal%2BgeTotal%2BrbTotal%2BraTotal%2BhqTotal%2BibTotal%2Bib7%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.7022506.2013%2B2018%2B2023&to%5bTIME%5d=false&ly%5brw%5d=CEN23_TBT_IND_003&ly%5bcl%5d=CEN23_YEAR_001). Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. 7022506. Retrieved 3 October 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Election results"](https://www.tasman.govt.nz/my-council/about-us/your-mayor-and-councillors/local-elections/election-results). Tasman District Council. 17 October 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Amended Official Result for the Nelson Electoral District"](https://gazette.govt.nz/notice/id/2023-au5286). [New Zealand Gazette](/source/New_Zealand_Gazette). 10 November 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Te Tai Tonga – Official Result"](https://www.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2023/electorate-details-71.html). [Electoral Commission](/source/Electoral_Commission_(New_Zealand)). Retrieved 23 February 2026.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-LINZ_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-LINZ_6-1) ["Place name detail: Bainham"](https://gazetteer.linz.govt.nz/place/16064). *New Zealand Gazetteer*. [Land Information New Zealand](/source/Land_Information_New_Zealand). Retrieved 13 January 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Correspondence"](https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/GBARG18960618.2.25). *Golden Bay Argus*. Vol. 6, no. 3. 18 June 1896. p. 4. Retrieved 13 January 2022.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-HNZ_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-HNZ_8-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-HNZ_8-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-HNZ_8-3) ["Bainham store"](https://www.heritage.org.nz/the-list/details/5110). [Heritage New Zealand](/source/Heritage_New_Zealand). Retrieved 13 January 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Bainham"](http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Cyc05Cycl-t1-body1-d1-d2-d39.html). *The Cyclopedia of New Zealand (Nelson, Marlborough & Westland Provincial Districts)*. Christchurch: Cyclopedia Company. 1906. p. 209. Retrieved 13 January 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Farmers' meeting"](https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/GBARG19081105.2.32). *Golden Bay Argus*. Vol. 12, no. 23. 5 November 1908. p. 4. Retrieved 13 January 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["School closures notices"](https://library.victoria.ac.nz/databases/nzgazettearchive/pubs/gazettes/1994/1994%20ISSUE%20136.pdf) (PDF). [New Zealand Gazette](/source/New_Zealand_Gazette). 21 December 1994. p. xxx.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Tasman Education Timeline"](https://www.theprow.org.nz/society/tasman-district-education-timeline/). The Prow. Retrieved 15 April 2026.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Stuff_2020_13-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Stuff_2020_13-1) Hindmarsh, Nina (24 October 2020). ["Obituary: Lorna Langford, New Zealand's longest-serving postmistress"](https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/123131451/obituary-lorna-langford-new-zealands-longestserving-postmistress). *[Stuff](/source/Stuff_(website))*. Retrieved 13 January 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Bainham: A History"](https://www.mcleodsbooks.co.nz/p/nz-local-histories-bainham-a-history). *McLeods Booksellers*. Retrieved 13 January 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Geographic Boundary Viewer"](https://statsnz.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/sidebar/index.html?appid=3a406ce8fbb14367ab5caae21c07ab8b). Stats NZ. Statistical Area 1 – 2023 and Statistical Area 2 – 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Census_2018_16-0)** ["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. 7022506.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses"](https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs%5b0%5d=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df%5bds%5d=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df%5bid%5d=CEN23_TBT_009&df%5bag%5d=STATSNZ&df%5bvs%5d=1.0&dq=doTotal%2Bdo1.7022506.2023&ly%5brw%5d=CEN23_TBT_DWD_003). Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Retrieved 3 October 2024.

## Further reading

- Dawber, Carol (1997). *Bainham: A History*. Bainham: Bainham Reunion Committee. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0959804145](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0959804145).

v t e Tasman District, New Zealand Seat: Richmond Populated places Golden Bay / Mohua Aorere Bainham Clifton Collingwood East Tākaka Ferntown Ligar Bay Motupipi Onekaka Pākawau Parapara Patons Rock Pōhara Port Pūponga Pūponga Rockville Seaford Tākaka Tarakohe Tata Beach Upper Tākaka Waikato Waitapu Motueka Brooklyn Kaiteriteri Lower Moutere Mārahau Motueka Riwaka Moutere-Waimea Brightwater Bronte Dovedale Mahana Māpua Ngātīmoti Ruby Bay Tasman Upper Moutere Wakefield Woodstock Richmond Aniseed Valley Appleby Hope Richmond Lakes-Murchison Murchison Rotoroa Saint Arnaud Tapawera Tophouse Geographic features Buller River Dun Mountain–Maitai terrane Hope Saddle Lee River Mārahau River Maungakura / Red Hill Newton River Ngārua Caves Roding River Sams Creek Tākaka River Waimea Plains Waimea River Golden Bay / Mohua Appos Creek Archway Islands Cape Farewell Cobb Reservoir Druggans Dam Dry River Farewell Spit Harwoods Hole Lake Killarney Lightband Gully North-west Nelson Forest Park Rawhiti Cave Slateford Tākaka Hill Tata Islands Te Waikoropupū Springs Wainui Bay Whanganui Inlet Wharariki Beach Abel Tasman National Park Armchair Island Awapoto River Awaroa River Ballon Rock Falls River Fisherman Island Motuareronui / Adele Island Simonet Creek Torrent Bay Tata Islands Tinline Bay Tonga Island Torrent River Tōtaranui Wainui River Falls Tasman Bay Bell Island Best Island Moturoa / Rabbit Island Tokangawhā / Split Apple Rock Waimea Inlet Kahurangi National Park Brown River Bulmer Cavern Ellis Basin cave system Kahurangi Point Lake Matiri Mount Arthur Mount Burnett Mount Owen Nettlebed Cave Wharepapa / Arthur Range Nelson Lakes National Park Braeburn Range Lake Rotoiti Lake Rotoroa Maniniaro / Angelus Peak Mount Franklin Pourangahau / Mount Robert Rotomairewhenua / Blue Lake Rotopōhueroa / Lake Constance Sabine Valley Saint Arnaud Range Spenser Mountains Facilities and attractions Abel Tasman National Park Coast Track Inland Track Monument Appleby railway station Brightwater railway station Cobb Power Station Ferntown Bridge Gowanbridge railway station Heaphy Track Hope railway station Karamea Aerodrome Kawatiri railway station Langford Store Memorial Park Milnthorpe Model Motueka Aerodrome Moutere Inn Mussel Inn Nelson Lakes National Park Onekaka Ironworks Onekaka Power Station Onekaka Wharf and tramline Proposals for a road through North-west Nelson Pupu Hydro Power Scheme Richmond railway station RNZAF Dip Flat Rutherford memorial Stafford Place St Michael's Church Stoke railway station Tākaka Aerodrome Tākaka Pioneers' Memorial Takaka Tramway Great Taste Trail Tonga Island Marine Reserve Tophouse Tour de Vineyards Wai-iti Dark Sky Park Wangapeka Track Westhaven (Te Tai Tapu) Marine Reserve Wharariki Ecosanctuary Administration Historic Nelson Province (1853–1876) Collingwood County (1877–1956) Waimea County (1877–1989) Richmond Borough (1891–1989 · mayor) Motueka Borough (1900–1989) Takaka County (1904–1956) Murchison County (1909–1965) Golden Bay County (1956–1989) Nelson-Marlborough Regional Council (1989–1992) Current Council Mayor Organisations Golden Bay Air Golden Bay-Motueka Rugby Union New Zealand Energy Richmond Athletic FC Talley's Group Schools Collingwood Area School Golden Bay High School Motueka High School Waimea College Waimea Intermediate

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