{{Short description|Valley and settlement in Marlborough, New Zealand}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2023}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=July 2023}} {{for|the suburb of Auckland|Wairau Valley, Auckland}} {{Infobox settlement | name = Wairau Valley | image_skyline = Wairau Valley Tavern - panoramio.jpg | image_caption = Wairau Valley Tavern | population_footnotes = {{NZ population data 2023 SA2||||y}} | population_as_of = {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|||y}} | population_total = {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Upper Wairau|y}} | population_density_km2 = auto | area_footnotes = <ref name="Area"/> | area_total_km2 = 4177.50 | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = New Zealand | subdivision_type1 = Region | subdivision_name1 = [[Marlborough District|Marlborough]] | subdivision_type2 = Ward | subdivision_name2 = {{ubl|Wairau-Awatere General Ward|Marlborough Māori Ward}} | seat_type = [[New Zealand electorates|Electorates]] | seat = {{ubl|[[Kaikōura (electorate)|Kaikōura]]|[[Te Tai Tonga]] ([[Māori electorates|Māori]])}} | leader_title = Territorial Authority | leader_name = [[Marlborough District Council]] | leader_title1 = [[Mayor of Marlborough, New Zealand|Marlborough District Mayor]] | leader_name1 = {{NZ officeholder data|Marlborough District Mayor|y}} | leader_title2 = [[Kaikōura (electorate)|Kaikōura MP]] | leader_name2 = {{NZ officeholder data|Kaikōura MP|y}} | leader_title3 = [[Te Tai Tonga|Te Tai Tonga MP]] | leader_name3 = {{NZ officeholder data|Te Tai Tonga MP|y}} | mapframe = yes | mapframe-zoom = 8 | coordinates = {{coord|41|33|56|S|173|31|44|E|region:NZ|display=inline,title}} }}
'''Wairau Valley''' is the valley of the [[Wairau River]] in [[Marlborough District|Marlborough]], New Zealand and also the name of the main settlement in the upper valley. [[New Zealand State Highway 63|State Highway 63]] runs through the valley. The valley opens onto the Wairau Plain, where [[Renwick, New Zealand|Renwick]] and [[Blenheim, New Zealand|Blenheim]] are sited.<ref>{{cite book|title=Reed New Zealand Atlas|year=2004|isbn=0-7900-0952-8|editor=Peter Dowling |publisher=Reed Books|pages=map 59}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=The Geographic Atlas of New Zealand|year=2005|isbn=1-877333-20-4|author=Roger Smith, GeographX|publisher=Robbie Burton|pages=map 138}}</ref> The [[Alpine Fault|Alpine]]–[[Wairau Fault]] runs along the length of the valley.<ref>{{cite book|title=Click - A Captured Moment - Marlborough's Early Heritage|author=Marlborough Historical Society|year=2005|isbn=0-473-10475-X|pages=16}}</ref>
Wairauite is an iron-cobalt alloy which is named after the valley.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/EarthSeaAndSky/Geology/RockAndMineralNames/4/en|title=Mineral names – 2|encyclopedia=[[Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand]]}}</ref>
==History and culture==
===European settlement===
J. S. Cotterell surveyed the Wairau Valley in November 1842, and reported it contained rich land.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/TheBush/UnderstandingTheNaturalWorld/EuropeanExploration/5/en|title=Thomas Brunner, Nelson and the West Coast|encyclopedia=[[Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand]]}}</ref> Settlers from [[Nelson, New Zealand|Nelson]], led by [[Arthur Wakefield]], tried to take possession of the land but the [[Ngāti Toa]], led by [[Te Rauparaha]] and [[Te Rangihaeata]] objected. The dispute escalated into the [[Wairau Affray]] at [[Tuamarina]] on 23 June 1843, in which 22 settlers and four Māori were killed. An enquiry held in 1844 by Governor [[Robert FitzRoy]] decided that the settlers were in the wrong.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/Places/Wellington/Wellington/7/en|title=The struggle to survive: 1840–1865|encyclopedia=[[Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand]]|access-date=28 May 2008|archive-date=1 May 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090501155308/http://www.teara.govt.nz/Places/Wellington/Wellington/7/en|url-status=dead}}</ref>
In November 1846, Nelson farmers [[Nathaniel Morse]] and John Cooper drove sheep into the Wairau valley<ref>{{cite web| title=Marlborough region - Grazing and farming |first=Malcolm |last=McKinnon |url= http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/marlborough-region/page-6 |publisher=[[Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand]] |access-date=21 August 2013 |date=13 July 2012}}</ref> and established settlements. Governor Sir [[George Grey]] purchased the land in the same year, but legal title to the land for the settlers was sorted out later.<ref>{{cite book|title=Marlborough - A Provincial History|editor=A. D. McIntosh|year=1940|pages=93, 131–134}}</ref>
In the [[1855 Wairarapa earthquake]], the eastern end of the Wairau valley subsided by over a metre.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/EarthSeaAndSky/NaturalHazardsAndDisasters/HistoricEarthquakes/3/en|title=The 1855 Wairarapa earthquake|encyclopedia=[[Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand]]|access-date=28 May 2008|archive-date=21 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221195734/http://www.teara.govt.nz/EarthSeaAndSky/NaturalHazardsAndDisasters/HistoricEarthquakes/3/en|url-status=dead}}</ref>
During [[Winter 2025 New Zealand floods|floods in June 2025]], Wairau Valley was cut off and some homes lost power.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/565401/weather-marlborough-district-council-sending-teams-into-flooded-wairau-valley-township|title=Weather: Marlborough District Council sending teams into flooded Wairau Valley township|publisher=[[RNZ]]|date=28 June 2025}}</ref> {{NZlSH|63}} had a massive crack appear and was closed.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/360739290/state-highway-63-cracks-hundreds-without-power-marlborough|title=State Highway 63 cracks, hundreds without power in Marlborough|newspaper=[[The Press]]|first1=Federico|last1=Magrin|first2=Freddie|last2=Wilkie|date=27 June 2025}}</ref>
===Marae===
Parerarua Marae is located in Wairau Valley. It is a ''[[marae]]'' (meeting ground) of [[Ngāti Rārua]] and includes the Parerarua ''[[wharenui]]'' (meeting house).<ref name="tkmentry">{{cite web|title=Te Kāhui Māngai directory|url= http://www.tkm.govt.nz/ |website=tkm.govt.nz|publisher=[[Te Puni Kōkiri]]}}</ref><ref name="maorimaps">{{cite web |title=Māori Maps |url=https://maorimaps.com/map |website=maorimaps.com |publisher=Te Potiki National Trust}}</ref>
In October 2020, the Government committed $246,418 from the [[Provincial Growth Fund]] towards renovating the marae, creating an estimated 7 jobs.<ref name="maraepgf">{{cite web |title=Marae Announcements |url=https://www.growregions.govt.nz/assets/funding-announcements/marae-announcements.xlsx |website=growregions.govt.nz |publisher=[[Provincial Growth Fund]] |format=Excel |date=9 October 2020}}</ref>
==Demographics== Wairau Valley town is described by Stats NZ as a rural settlement. It covers {{Convert|3.50|km2||abbr=on}}<ref name="Area">{{Cite web|title=Stats NZ Geographic Data Service|url=https://datafinder.stats.govt.nz/data/|at=Urban Rural 2023 (generalised)|access-date=11 May 2026}}</ref> and had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2018|Wairau Valley|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2018|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Wairau Valley|y}}|R}}/3.50|0}} people per km<sup>2</sup>. It is part of the larger Upper Wairau statistical area.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://statsnz.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/sidebar/index.html?appid=3a406ce8fbb14367ab5caae21c07ab8b|title=Geographic Boundary Viewer|publisher=Stats NZ|at=Urban Rural Areas – 2023 and Statistical Area 2 – 2023}}</ref>
{{Historical populations|2006|180|2013|210|2018|231|2023|234|percentages=pagr|align=left|title=Historical population for the settlement|source=<ref name="Census 2023"/><ref name="Census 2018">{{NZ census 2018|7023292}}</ref>}} [[File:Wairau_Valley_-_Marlborough.jpg|thumb|Wairau Valley]] Wairau Valley had a population of 234 in the [[2023 New Zealand census]], an increase of 3 people (1.3%) since the [[2018 New Zealand census|2018 census]], and an increase of 24 people (11.4%) since the [[2013 New Zealand census|2013 census]]. There were 117 males and 114 females in 93 dwellings.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_005&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=doTotal%2Bdo1.2031.2023&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_DWD_003|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses}}</ref> 1.3% of people identified as [[LGBTQ|LGBTIQ+]]. The median age was 48.5 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 39 people (16.7%) aged under 15 years, 33 (14.1%) aged 15 to 29, 120 (51.3%) aged 30 to 64, and 45 (19.2%) aged 65 or older.<ref name="Census 2023"/>
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 97.4% [[European New Zealanders|European]] ([[Pākehā]]); 10.3% [[Māori people|Māori]]; 1.3% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.6% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 97.4%, Māori by 1.3%, and other languages by 5.1%. No language could be spoken by 2.6% (e.g. too young to talk). The percentage of people born overseas was 16.7, compared with 28.8% nationally.<ref name="Census 2023"/>
Religious affiliations were 20.5% [[Christianity in New Zealand|Christian]], 1.3% [[New Age]], and 1.3% other religions. People who answered that they had [[Irreligion in New Zealand|no religion]] were 70.5%, and 7.7% of people did not answer the census question.<ref name="Census 2023"/>
Of those at least 15 years old, 36 (18.5%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 126 (64.6%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 30 (15.4%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $42,800, compared with $41,500 nationally. 15 people (7.7%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 114 (58.5%) full-time, 30 (15.4%) part-time, and 3 (1.5%) unemployed.<ref name="Census 2023">{{Cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_008&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=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.2031.2013%2B2018%2B2023&to[TIME]=false&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_IND_003&ly[cl]=CEN23_YEAR_001|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses|at=Wairau Valley (2031)}}</ref>
===Upper Wairau=== The statistical area of Upper Wairau covers {{Convert|4177.50|km2||abbr=on}}.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Stats NZ Geographic Data Service|url=https://datafinder.stats.govt.nz/data/|at=Statistical Area 2 2023 (generalised)|access-date=11 May 2026}}</ref> It had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Upper Wairau|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Upper Wairau|y}}|R}}/4177.50|2}} people per km<sup>2</sup>.
{{Historical populations|2006|1,692|2013|1,746|2018|1,938|2023|2,091|percentages=pagr|align=left|title=Historical population for Upper Wairau|source=<ref name="Census 2023 UW"/><ref name="Census 2018 UW">{{NZ census 2018|Upper Wairau (306600)|upper-wairau|Upper Wairau}}</ref>}} Upper Wairau had a population of 2,091 in the [[2023 New Zealand census]], an increase of 153 people (7.9%) since the [[2018 New Zealand census|2018 census]], and an increase of 345 people (19.8%) since the [[2013 New Zealand census|2013 census]]. There were 1,092 males, 993 females, and 6 people of [[non-binary gender|other genders]] in 798 dwellings.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_005&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=doTotal%2Bdo1.306600.2023&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_DWD_003|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses}}</ref> 2.0% of people identified as [[LGBTQ|LGBTIQ+]]. The median age was 45.1 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 402 people (19.2%) aged under 15 years, 258 (12.3%) aged 15 to 29, 1,065 (50.9%) aged 30 to 64, and 366 (17.5%) aged 65 or older.<ref name="Census 2023 UW"/>
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 95.0% [[European New Zealanders|European]] ([[Pākehā]]); 9.2% [[Māori people|Māori]]; 1.3% [[Pasifika New Zealanders|Pasifika]]; 1.3% [[Asian New Zealanders|Asian]]; 0.6% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 4.4% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 97.7%, Māori by 1.6%, Samoan by 0.1%, and other languages by 6.7%. No language could be spoken by 1.9% (e.g. too young to talk). [[New Zealand Sign Language]] was known by 0.1%. The percentage of people born overseas was 16.4, compared with 28.8% nationally.<ref name="Census 2023 UW"/>
Religious affiliations were 25.5% [[Christianity in New Zealand|Christian]], 0.3% [[Hinduism in New Zealand|Hindu]], 0.1% [[Māori religious beliefs]], 0.4% [[Buddhism in New Zealand|Buddhist]], 0.4% [[New Age]], and 1.6% other religions. People who answered that they had [[Irreligion in New Zealand|no religion]] were 62.0%, and 9.6% of people did not answer the census question.<ref name="Census 2023 UW"/>
Of those at least 15 years old, 420 (24.9%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 981 (58.1%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 294 (17.4%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $50,900, compared with $41,500 nationally. 249 people (14.7%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 972 (57.5%) full-time, 327 (19.4%) part-time, and 21 (1.2%) unemployed.<ref name="Census 2023 UW">{{Cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_008&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=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.306600.2013%2B2018%2B2023&to[TIME]=false&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_IND_003&ly[cl]=CEN23_YEAR_001|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses|at=Upper Wairau (306600)}}</ref>
==Education==
Wairau Valley School is a coeducational full primary (years 1–8) school with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|3062|y}} students as of {{NZ school roll data|||y|y||.}}<ref>{{TKI|3062|Wairau Valley School}}</ref> It opened in 1861.<ref>A. D. McIntosh, p 340</ref> Wantwood School, which opened in 1919, burned down in 1949 and closed, with the building moved to Wairau Valley School.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wairau-valley.co.nz/wantwood-community-room.html|title=Wantwood Community Room|publisher=Wairau Valley|access-date=11 May 2026}}</ref> Hillersden School, extant 1915,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/MEX19150511.2.14?query=Hillersden+School|title=Local & General News|newspaper=[[Marlborough Express]]|date=11 May 1915|via=[[Papers Past]]}}</ref> merged to Wairau Valley in 1946, with its building moved to Wairau Pā.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/MEX19460509.2.2.1?query=Hillersden+School|title=Advertisements|newspaper=[[Marlborough Express]]|date=9 May 1946|via=[[Papers Past]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/news/community-papers/5237219/Wairau-Valley-School-hits-150|title=Waiau Valley School hits 150|newspaper=[[Marlborough Express]]|date=6 July 2011|first=Robin|last=Raymond}}</ref>
==Climate==
{{Weather box|width=auto |metric first=y |single line=y |collapsed = Y |location = Wairau Valley (1991–2020) |Jan high C = 23.9 |Feb high C = 23.7 |Mar high C = 21.8 |Apr high C = 18.3 |May high C = 15.4 |Jun high C = 12.5 |Jul high C = 11.9 |Aug high C = 13.2 |Sep high C = 15.3 |Oct high C = 17.7 |Nov high C = 19.4 |Dec high C = 21.9 | year high C = |Jan mean C = 18.1 |Feb mean C = 17.7 |Mar mean C = 15.7 |Apr mean C = 12.8 |May mean C = 10.2 |Jun mean C = 7.6 |Jul mean C = 6.8 |Aug mean C = 8.2 |Sep mean C = 10.2 |Oct mean C = 12.3 |Nov mean C = 14.0 |Dec mean C = 16.3 | year mean C = |Jan low C = 12.3 |Feb low C = 11.8 |Mar low C = 9.6 |Apr low C = 7.3 |May low C = 4.9 |Jun low C = 2.6 |Jul low C = 1.7 |Aug low C = 3.1 |Sep low C = 5.1 |Oct low C = 6.8 |Nov low C = 8.5 |Dec low C = 10.7 | year low C = |rain colour = green |Jan rain mm = 97.6 |Feb rain mm = 95.6 |Mar rain mm = 78.2 |Apr rain mm = 104.6 |May rain mm = 130.5 |Jun rain mm = 123.3 |Jul rain mm = 84.5 |Aug rain mm = 103.0 |Sep rain mm = 94.5 |Oct rain mm = 92.5 |Nov rain mm = 66.4 |Dec rain mm = 82.8 |year rain mm = |source 1 = NIWA<ref name= NIWA> {{cite web |url = http://cliflo.niwa.co.nz |title = CliFlo – National Climate Database : Wairau Valley, Mill Road Cws |publisher = NIWA |access-date = 19 May 2024}}</ref> }}
==References== {{Commons category inline|Wairau Valley}} {{Reflist}}
{{Wairau}} {{Marlborough Region}}
[[Category:Populated places in the Marlborough District]] [[Category:Landforms of the Marlborough District]] [[Category:Valleys of New Zealand]]