# Tophouse

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Locality in Tasman District, New Zealand

Place in Tasman, New Zealand

Tophouse Interactive map of Tophouse Coordinates: 41°46′S 172°54′E / 41.767°S 172.900°E / -41.767; 172.900 Country New Zealand Territorial authority Tasman Ward Lakes-Murchison Electorates West Coast-Tasman Te Tai Tonga (Māori) Government • Territorial Authority Tasman District Council • Mayor of Tasman Tim King[1] • West Coast-Tasman MP Maureen Pugh[2] • Te Tai Tonga MP Tākuta Ferris[3] Area [5] • Total 20.23 km2 (7.81 sq mi) Population (2023 census)[4] • Total 102 • Density 5.04/km2 (13.1/sq mi) Time zone UTC+12 (NZST) • Summer (DST) UTC+13 (NZDT)

A view of the rugged landscape just north of Tophouse.

**Tophouse**, also known as **Tophouse Settlement**, is a rural locality in the [Tasman District](/source/Tasman%2C_New_Zealand) of New Zealand's [South Island](/source/South_Island), some 8 km northeast of [Saint Arnaud](/source/Saint_Arnaud%2C_New_Zealand). It is named after a hotel established in the 19th century to service [drovers](/source/Drover_(Australian)) transporting their sheep between [Canterbury](/source/Canterbury%2C_New_Zealand) and [Marlborough](/source/Marlborough_Region). The hotel is still in operation today and has an eventful history, including a double murder suicide in October 1894 (see below). For many years, "Tophouse" referred specifically to the hotel, but it has also been used to refer to the general vicinity, and on 20 February 2001, the New Zealand Geographic Board assigned the name "Tophouse Settlement" to the area.

Tophouse is located near [State Highway 63](/source/New_Zealand_State_Highway_63). There were also plans to establish a significant [railway](/source/Railway) junction in Tophouse. One plan from the 1880s for the route of the [Main North Line](/source/Main_North_Line%2C_New_Zealand) from [Christchurch](/source/Christchurch) to Marlborough and [Nelson](/source/Nelson%2C_New_Zealand) proposed extending the [Waiau Branch](/source/Waiau_Branch) line (then terminated in [Culverden](/source/Culverden)) via [Hanmer Springs](/source/Hanmer_Springs) to Tophouse, and then building one branch down the [Wairau River](/source/Wairau_River) valley to [Blenheim](/source/Blenheim%2C_New_Zealand) and another to Nelson. This proposal remained under consideration until the 1930s, when a coastal route via [Parnassus](/source/Parnassus%2C_New_Zealand) and [Kaikōura](/source/Kaik%C5%8Dura) was chosen instead of the inland Tophouse route.

Tophouse had a school which opened in 1914 but has since closed.[6][7][8]

## The Tophouse Tragedy

What became known as the "Tophouse Tragedy" occurred in October 1894, when the owners of the hotel, Nathaniel and Louisa Longney, were away in Blenheim, having left their cousin, John Lane, in charge of the business, and a governess, Miss Catherine Wylie, looking after their three children. The brother of Mrs Longney, a Mr William (Bill) Bateman, who was rumoured to have been trying unsuccessfully to court Miss Wylie, heard of this arrangement and apparently became jealous.

Bateman travelled to the Tophouse hotel, arriving on the evening of Thursday, October 4, and convinced Lane to go out rabbit shooting with him. He then shot Lane in the back of the head, and dragged his body into the bushes. Bateman then went the 300m to the nearby telegraph station, and told the telegraphist, William Wallis, that Lane wanted to talk to him. When Wallis accompanied Bateman, he too was shot, his body being concealed under a horse-cover. During the night, Bateman repeatedly threatened Miss Wylie and Mrs Wallis, who locked herself in the telegraph station and tried to call for help, but did not shoot either woman.

When the police arrived the following evening, alerted by Mrs Wallis' attempts at calling for help, they found Bateman on the verandah of the hotel, having shot himself in the head with his muzzle-loading shotgun. To accomplish this he had removed his shoes and socks and placed his toe on the trigger, putting the barrel of the gun under his chin. The shot went through his head, and the blast holes can still be seen in the roof-boards of the verandah even today.[9]

## Demographics

Tophouse locality covers 20.23 km2 (7.81 sq mi).[5] It is part of the larger [Murchison-Nelson Lakes statistical area](/source/Murchison%2C_New_Zealand#Murchison-Nelson_Lakes_statistical_area).[10]

‹ 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 72 — 2013 75 +0.58% 2018 93 +4.40% 2023 102 +1.86% Source: [4][11]

Tophouse had a population of 102 in the [2023 New Zealand census](/source/2023_New_Zealand_census), an increase of 9 people (9.7%) since the [2018 census](/source/2018_New_Zealand_census), and an increase of 27 people (36.0%) since the [2013 census](/source/2013_New_Zealand_census). There were 54 males and 48 females in 48 dwellings.[12] The median age was 54.3 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 12 people (11.8%) aged under 15 years, 3 (2.9%) aged 15 to 29, 57 (55.9%) aged 30 to 64, and 30 (29.4%) aged 65 or older.[4]

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 97.1% [European](/source/European_New_Zealanders) ([Pākehā](/source/P%C4%81keh%C4%81)), 2.9% [Māori](/source/M%C4%81ori_people), and 5.9% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 100.0%, and other languages by 11.8%. No language could be spoken by 2.9% (e.g. too young to talk). The percentage of people born overseas was 17.6, compared with 28.8% nationally.[4]

The sole religious affiliation given was 23.5% [Christian](/source/Christianity_in_New_Zealand). People who answered that they had [no religion](/source/Irreligion_in_New_Zealand) were 61.8%, and 8.8% of people did not answer the census question.[4]

Of those at least 15 years old, 24 (26.7%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 45 (50.0%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 18 (20.0%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $29,600, compared with $41,500 nationally. 12 people (13.3%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 39 (43.3%) full-time and 18 (20.0%) part-time.[4]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["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-2)** ["West Coast-Tasman - Official Result"](https://www.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2023/electorate-details-61.html). [Electoral Commission](/source/Electoral_Commission_(New_Zealand)). Retrieved 8 April 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["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-Census_2023_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Census_2023_4-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Census_2023_4-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Census_2023_4-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Census_2023_4-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-Census_2023_4-5) ["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.7022873.2013%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. 7022873. Retrieved 3 October 2024.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Area_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Area_5-1) ["Stats NZ Geographic Data Service"](https://datafinder.stats.govt.nz/data/). Statistical Area 1 2023 (generalised). Retrieved 23 April 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-timeline_6-0)** ["Tasman Education Timeline"](https://www.theprow.org.nz/society/tasman-district-education-timeline/). *theprow.org.nz*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Tophouse School building"](https://heritage.tasmanlibraries.govt.nz/nodes/view/3516). *Tasman District Libraries*. Tasman District Council.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Tophouse School opens"](https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TC19140714.2.13.1). *Colonist*. 14 July 1914. p. 3.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Beaumont, Sophie (2009). ["The Tragedy at Tophouse"](https://backend.theprow.org.nz/assets/files/TheTragedyatTophousei1.pdf) (PDF). The Prow.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["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_11-0)** ["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. 7022873.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["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%2Bdo1.7022873.2023&ly%5brw%5d=CEN23_TBT_DWD_003). Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Retrieved 3 October 2024.

## External links

- [Decisions of the New Zealand Geographic Board, 20 February 2001](https://web.archive.org/web/20061209124329/http://www.linz.govt.nz/core/placenames/placenamedecisions/20feb2001/index.html): includes the assignment of the name Tophouse Settlement

- [History of Tophouse](http://www.theprow.org.nz/framework/main.php?url=/places/tophouse/#.Vvj2qkd1d2M)

- [Newspaper Report on the Tragedy](http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=TC18941008.1.2&e=-------en--1----0-all)

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

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