# Millers Flat

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Town in the South Island of New Zealand

Rural settlement in Otago region, New Zealand

Millers Flat Rural settlement The heritage-listed Millers Flat Bridge, a four span steel truss bridge which crosses the Clutha River Interactive map of Millers Flat Coordinates: 45°40′S 169°25′E / 45.667°S 169.417°E / -45.667; 169.417 Country New Zealand Region Otago region Territorial authorities Central Otago District Ward Teviot Valley Ward Community Teviot Valley Community Electorates Southland 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] • Urban area 0.99 km2 (0.38 sq mi) Population (June 2025)[3] • Urban area 90 • Density 91/km2 (240/sq mi) Time zone UTC+12 (NZST) • Summer (DST) UTC+13 (NZDT) Postcode 9572 Area code 03 Local iwi Ngāi Tahu

**Millers Flat** is a small town in inland [Otago](/source/Otago), in the [South Island](/source/South_Island) of New Zealand. It is located on the [Clutha River](/source/Clutha_River), 17 kilometres south of [Roxburgh](/source/Roxburgh%2C_New_Zealand). Fruit growing is the main industry in the area. Most of the town lies on the north bank of the Clutha; the main road, [State Highway 8](/source/New_Zealand_State_Highway_8), passes close by on the river's other bank. The [Roxburgh Branch](/source/Roxburgh_Branch) [railway](/source/Railway) used to pass through the town; it was opened to Millers Flat in 1925 and was the terminus for approximately two and a half years, until the section to Roxburgh was opened. The line was closed in 1968, though the town's station platform and some of the railway [formation](/source/Track_bed) still exist.

Millers Flat was originally called *Ovens Hill*; its current name is in honour of an early European settler, Walter Miller, who farmed in the area from about 1849.

Millers Flat Bridge was designed by Robert Hay (1847–1928) and construction started in 1897. It was opened in 1899.[5]

## Demographics

Millers Flat is described by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement. It covers 0.99 km2 (0.38 sq mi)[4] and had an estimated population of 90 as of June 2025,[3] with a population density of 91 people per km2. It is part of the much larger [Teviot Valley statistical area](/source/Teviot_Valley).[6]

‹ 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 99 — 2013 90 −1.35% 2018 87 −0.68% Source: [7]

Millers Flat war memorial

Millers Flat had a population of 87 at the [2018 New Zealand census](/source/2018_New_Zealand_census), a decrease of 3 people (−3.3%) since the [2013 census](/source/2013_New_Zealand_census), and a decrease of 12 people (−12.1%) since the [2006 census](/source/2006_New_Zealand_census). There were 42 households, comprising 39 males and 48 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.81 males per female. The median age was 61.2 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 6 people (6.9%) aged under 15 years, 9 (10.3%) aged 15 to 29, 36 (41.4%) aged 30 to 64, and 36 (41.4%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 96.6% European/[Pākehā](/source/P%C4%81keh%C4%81), and 6.9% [Māori](/source/M%C4%81ori_people). People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 48.3% had no religion, and 41.4% were [Christian](/source/Christianity_in_New_Zealand).

Of those at least 15 years old, 9 (11.1%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 30 (37.0%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $26,300, compared with $31,800 nationally. 12 people (14.8%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 36 (44.4%) people were employed full-time, 9 (11.1%) were part-time, and 3 (3.7%) were unemployed.[7]

## Grave of *Somebody's Darling*

Approximately 8 km downstream of Millers Flat on the [Clutha River](/source/Clutha_River) are the remains of the Horseshoe Bend Gold Diggings, now largely remembered for the story of "Somebody's Darling" and the Lonely Graves.

Early in 1865 the body of a young man was discovered at Rag Beach, upstream and on the opposite side of the river from the present site of the Lonely Graves. An inquest held on 22 February 1865 in the Horseshoe Hotel determined the body to be that of Charles Alms who had fallen in the river at Mutton Town Creek, some considerable distance upstream. Alms, a butcher from the Nevis had been swimming cattle across the river when he had been thrown from his horse and washed away. The body was buried in an unmarked grave and the gravesite remained untended. Later in that same year a miner named William Rigney arrived at Horseshoe Bend, and with John Ord erected a fence of rough manuka poles around the previously untended grave. Rigney obtained a piece of black pine and made a simple headstone for the grave. With a four-inch nail he inscribed the words "Somebody's Darling lies buried here." In 1903 a marble headstone was erected. William Rigney died in 1912 and was buried beside "Somebody's Darling."[8][9][10][11]

## Education

Millers Flat School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students,[12][13] with a roll of 25 as of March 2026.[14]

## 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_2018_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-NZ_population_data_2018_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 9 December 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Millers Flat Bridge"](http://www.ipenz.org.nz/heritage/itemdetail.cfm?itemid=2363). Institute of Professional Engineers New Zealand. Retrieved 1 April 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** [2018 Census place summary: Teviot Valley](https://www.stats.govt.nz/tools/2018-census-place-summaries/teviot-valley)

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. 7027917.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Heritage New Zealand"](https://www.heritage.org.nz/magazinefeatures/2004summer/2004_summer_cemeteries.htm). *www.heritage.org.nz*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** [\[1\]](http://www.nextstop.com/p/RMKh_K3bmL8/somebodys-darling-grave/)[*[permanent dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Phillips, Jock; Taonga, New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu. ["Lonely graves near Millers Flat"](https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/22801/lonely-graves-near-millers-flat). *[Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand](/source/Te_Ara%3A_The_Encyclopedia_of_New_Zealand)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["New Zealand Libraries' Catalogue Display"](http://nzlibrariescatalogue.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=5036738). Retrieved 29 March 2011.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-official3771_12-0)** ["Millers Flat School Official School Website"](https://www.millersflat.school.nz). *millersflat.school.nz*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-moe3771_13-0)** ["Millers Flat School Ministry of Education School Profile"](https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/find-school/school/profile?school=3771). *educationcounts.govt.nz*. [Ministry of Education](/source/Ministry_of_Education_(New_Zealand)).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ero3771_14-0)** ["Millers Flat School Education Review Office Report"](https://www.ero.govt.nz/institution/3771/millers-flat-school). *ero.govt.nz*. [Education Review Office](/source/Education_Review_Office).

## External links

Media related to [Millers Flat](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Millers_Flat) at Wikimedia Commons

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

v t e Clutha River (Mata-Au) Source: Southern Alps—Flows into: Pacific Ocean Administrative areas Otago Region Queenstown–Lakes District Central Otago District Clutha District Towns and settlements (upstream to downstream) Wānaka Albert Town Luggate Lowburn Cromwell Clyde Alexandra Lake Roxburgh Roxburgh Teviot Ettrick Millers Flat Beaumont Tuapeka Mouth Clydevale Balclutha Stirling Kaitangata Port Molyneux Major tributaries (upstream to downstream by confluence) Makarora River Matukituki River Hāwea River Cardrona River Lindis River Kawarau River Manuherikia River Teviot River Tuapeka River Pomahaka River Waitāhuna River Lakes in catchment (upstream to downstream by location or tributary) Lake Wānaka Lake Hāwea Lake Dunstan Lake Wakatipu Greenland Reservoir Manorburn Reservoir Manorburn Dam Butchers Dam Lake Roxburgh Lake Tuakitoto Islands in catchment (upstream to downstream by location or tributary) Mou Waho Pigeon Island Pig Island / Mātau Birch Island Inch Clutha Other features (upstream to downstream) Central Otago wine region Deadman's Point Bridge Old Cromwell Bridge Cromwell Gorge Clyde Dam Alexandra bridges Roxburgh Dam Kelso Balclutha Road Bridge Longest New Zealand rivers 1: Waikato 2: Clutha 3: Whanganui 4: Taieri 5: Rangitīkei 6: Mataura 7: Waiau 8: Waiau Toa / Clarence 9: Waitaki 10: Ōreti 11: Rangitaiki 12: Manawatū

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