# Earnscleugh

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Rural community in Otago, New Zealand

Earnscleugh Rural community Interactive map of Earnscleugh Coordinates: 45°13′30″S 169°19′26″E / 45.225°S 169.324°E / -45.225; 169.324 Country New Zealand Region Otago Territorial authority Central Otago District Ward Vincent Ward Community Vincent Community Electorates Waitaki Te Tai Tonga (Māori) Government • Territorial authority Central Otago District Council • Regional council Otago Regional Council • Mayor of Central Otago Tamah Alley[1] • Southland MP Joseph Mooney • Te Tai Tonga MP Tākuta Ferris[2] Area [4] • Total 391.85 km2 (151.29 sq mi) Population (June 2025)[3] • Total 840 • Density 2.1/km2 (5.6/sq mi) Time zone UTC+12 (NZST) • Summer (DST) UTC+13 (NZDT) Local iwi Ngāi Tahu

**Earnscleugh** is a small settlement and rural community, based alongside the [Earnscleugh River](/source/Earnscleugh_River) in the [Central Otago District](/source/Central_Otago_District), in the [Otago](/source/Otago) region of New Zealand's [South Island](/source/South_Island).[5]

The area has vineyards and orchards.[6][7][8]

## History

### 19th century

The Earnscleugh Station farm was established in the area in 1862. Surveyor [John Turnbull Thomson](/source/John_Turnbull_Thomson) named it after Earnscleugh Water in south-east Scotland.[9]

[William Fraser](/source/William_Fraser_(New_Zealand_politician%2C_born_1840)) ran the station between 1862 and 1893, first as farm manager and later as owner-operator. Rabbits were introduced to the farm in 1866 and infested the property. The property was abandoned to the Crown in 1985.[9]

Dredging began in the area in 1863. The Earnscleugh Tailings Track has New Zealand's only complete record of dredging activity.[10]

### 20th century

Steven Spain farmed the Earnscleugh Station between 1902 and 1948, hiring rabbiters to try to bring the rabbit population under control. Further rabbit outbreaks were recorded, under various station owners, in 1948, the 1970s, and from 1981.[9]

A Government-supported rabbit eradication programme, established in 1990, has kept the rabbit population under control since the late 1990s.[9]

### 21st century

Earnscleugh was affected by flooding in January 2021.[11]

A tractor operator died in an incident later the same month.[8]

## Demographics

Earnscleugh statistical area covers 391.85 km2 (151.29 sq mi)[4] and had an estimated population of 840 as of June 2025,[3] with a population density of 2.1 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 576 — 2013 609 +0.80% 2018 699 +2.79% Source: [12]

The statistical area had a population of 699 at the [2018 New Zealand census](/source/2018_New_Zealand_census), an increase of 90 people (14.8%) since the [2013 census](/source/2013_New_Zealand_census), and an increase of 123 people (21.4%) since the [2006 census](/source/2006_New_Zealand_census). There were 252 households, comprising 378 males and 321 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.18 males per female. The median age was 47.1 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 108 people (15.5%) aged under 15 years, 120 (17.2%) aged 15 to 29, 345 (49.4%) aged 30 to 64, and 129 (18.5%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 89.7% European/[Pākehā](/source/P%C4%81keh%C4%81), 5.6% [Māori](/source/M%C4%81ori_people), 7.7% [Pasifika](/source/Pasifika_New_Zealanders), 2.1% [Asian](/source/Asian_New_Zealanders), and 1.7% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 19.7, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 53.2% had no religion, 39.5% were [Christian](/source/Christianity_in_New_Zealand), 0.4% were [Buddhist](/source/Buddhism_in_New_Zealand) and 0.9% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 141 (23.9%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 93 (15.7%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $35,200, compared with $31,800 nationally. 117 people (19.8%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 354 (59.9%) people were employed full-time, 120 (20.3%) were part-time, and 9 (1.5%) were unemployed.[12]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-T_Alley_1-0)** ["2025 Triennial Elections Declaration of Result"](https://www.electionz.com/LGE2025Results/ELT69CO25_Result.pdf) (PDF). Electionz. Retrieved 17 October 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["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-NZ_population_data_2023_SA2_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-NZ_population_data_2023_SA2_3-1) ["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-Area_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Area_4-1) ["ArcGIS Web Application"](https://statsnz.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=6f49867abe464f86ac7526552fe19787). *statsnz.maps.arcgis.com*. Retrieved 6 December 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Harriss, Gavin (July 2021). [*Earnscleugh, Otago*](https://www.topomap.co.nz/NZTopoMap?v=2&ll=-45.217266,169.296355&z=14) (Map). NZ Topo Map.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-vineyardsappeal_6-0)** ["Vineyard's appeal in case against driller fails"](https://www.odt.co.nz/rural-life/horticulture/vineyard%E2%80%99s-appeal-case-against-driller-fails). Allied Press. [Otago Daily Times](/source/Otago_Daily_Times). 15 October 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-pacificworkers_7-0)** ["Pacific workers could be too late for Central Otago orchards"](https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/central-otago/pacific-workers-could-be-too-late-central-otago-orchards). Allied Press. [Otago Daily Times](/source/Otago_Daily_Times). 27 November 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-tractoroperator_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-tractoroperator_8-1) Morgan, Jared (23 January 2021). ["Tractor operator dies after accident"](https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/central-otago/tractor-operator-dies-after-accident). Allied Press. [Otago Daily Times](/source/Otago_Daily_Times).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Earnscleugh_Station_History_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Earnscleugh_Station_History_9-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Earnscleugh_Station_History_9-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Earnscleugh_Station_History_9-3) ["Earnscleugh Station History"](https://earnscleughstation.co.nz/our-history/). *earnscleughstation.co.nz*. Earnscleugh Station.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-doctrack_10-0)** ["Earnscleugh Tailings Track"](https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/otago/places/alexandra-area/things-to-do/earnscleugh-tailings-track/). *doc.govt.nz*. [Department of Conservation](/source/Department_of_Conservation_(New_Zealand)).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2021floods_11-0)** ["Holidaymakers urged to check roads, growers count cost"](https://www.odt.co.nz/star-news/star-national/holidaymakers-urged-check-roads-growers-count-cost). Allied Press. [Otago Daily Times](/source/Otago_Daily_Times). 3 January 2021.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Census_2018_12-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Census_2018_12-1) ["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. Earnscleugh (345200). [2018 Census place summary: Earnscleugh](https://www.stats.govt.nz/tools/2018-census-place-summaries/earnscleugh)

v t e Central Otago District, New Zealand Seat: Alexandra Populated places Cromwell Ward Bannockburn Bendigo Cromwell Kawarau Gorge Lindis Pass Lowburn Pisa Moorings Tarras Maniototo Ward Danseys Pass Gimmerburn Ida Valley Kyeburn Naseby Oturehua Paerau Patearoa Ranfurly Waipiata Wedderburn Teviot Valley Ward Ettrick Lake Roxburgh Millers Flat Raes Junction Roxburgh Vincent Ward Alexandra Becks Cambrians Clyde Earnscleugh Fruitlands Galloway Lauder Omakau Ophir Poolburn St Bathans Geographic features Cromwell Gorge Lake Dunstan Greenland Reservoir Lake Manuherikia Maniototo Plain Manorburn Dam Facilities and attractions Alexandra Aerodrome Alexandra Blossom Festival Alexandra bridges Deadman's Point Bridge Central Otago wine region Highlands Motorsport Park Molyneux Park Government District Council Mayor Regional Council Other The Cromwell Argus Dunstan High School

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