Ruby Bay is a settlement in the Tasman District of New Zealand's upper South Island. It is located between Māpua and Tasman on Te Mamaku / Ruby Bay.[6] Ruby Bay was named after small 'rubies' (red chert) found within the moutere gravel.[7]
Ruby Bay | |
|---|---|
Rural settlement | |
 | |
 Interactive map of Ruby Bay | |
| Coordinates: 41°14′10″S 173°04′59″E / 41.236°S 173.083°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Territorial authority | Tasman |
| Ward | Moutere-Waimea Ward |
| Electorates | |
| 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 | |
• Total | 4.83 km2 (1.86 sq mi) |
| Population (June 2025)[5] | |
• Total | 810 |
| • Density | 170/km2 (430/sq mi) |
| Postcode(s) | 7005, 7173 |
| Area code | 03 |
Demographics
editRuby Bay is described by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement. It covers 4.83 km2 (1.86 sq mi)[4] and had an estimated population of 810 as of June 2025,[5] with a population density of 168 people per km2. It is part of the larger Ruby Bay statistical area.[8]
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 555 | — |
| 2013 | 684 | +3.03% |
| 2018 | 765 | +2.26% |
| 2023 | 795 | +0.77% |
| The 2006 population is for a smaller area of 2.96 km2. Source: [9][10] | ||
Ruby Bay had a population of 795 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 30 people (3.9%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 111 people (16.2%) since the 2013 census. There were 393 males and 402 females in 342 dwellings.[11] 1.9% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 57.5 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 96 people (12.1%) aged under 15 years, 66 (8.3%) aged 15 to 29, 363 (45.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 270 (34.0%) aged 65 or older.[9]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 96.2% European (Pākehā); 3.8% Māori; 1.5% Pasifika; 1.1% Asian; 0.8% 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 98.9%, Māori by 1.1%, Samoan by 0.4%, and other languages by 9.8%. No language could be spoken by 1.1% (e.g. too young to talk). The percentage of people born overseas was 30.9, compared with 28.8% nationally.[9]
Religious affiliations were 23.8% Christian, 0.4% Hindu, 0.4% Buddhist, 0.4% New Age, 0.4% Jewish, and 0.4% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 65.3%, and 9.4% of people did not answer the census question.[9]
Of those at least 15 years old, 243 (34.8%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 315 (45.1%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 138 (19.7%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $36,800, compared with $41,500 nationally. 108 people (15.5%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 252 (36.1%) full-time, 102 (14.6%) part-time, and 18 (2.6%) unemployed.[9]
Ruby Bay statistical area
editRuby Bay statistical area covers 11.72 km2 (4.53 sq mi)[12] and had an estimated population of 1,460 as of June 2025,[13] with a population density of 125 people per km2.
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 1,143 | — |
| 2018 | 1,356 | +3.48% |
| 2023 | 1,434 | +1.12% |
| Source: [14] | ||
Ruby Bay had a population of 1,434 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 78 people (5.8%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 291 people (25.5%) since the 2013 census. There were 705 males, 726 females, and 3 people of other genders in 573 dwellings.[15] 2.1% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 55.0 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 192 people (13.4%) aged under 15 years, 135 (9.4%) aged 15 to 29, 693 (48.3%) aged 30 to 64, and 414 (28.9%) aged 65 or older.[14]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 95.4% European (Pākehā); 5.9% Māori; 1.0% Pasifika; 1.5% Asian; 0.4% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 3.3% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 98.7%, Māori by 1.3%, Samoan by 0.2%, and other languages by 10.0%. No language could be spoken by 1.0% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.2%. The percentage of people born overseas was 29.3, compared with 28.8% nationally.[14]
Religious affiliations were 24.5% Christian, 0.2% Hindu, 0.4% Buddhist, 0.4% New Age, 0.2% Jewish, and 0.4% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 65.3%, and 8.8% of people did not answer the census question.[14]
Of those at least 15 years old, 432 (34.8%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 585 (47.1%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 219 (17.6%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $37,700, compared with $41,500 nationally. 186 people (15.0%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 501 (40.3%) full-time, 201 (16.2%) part-time, and 24 (1.9%) unemployed.[14]
References
edit- ↑ "Election results". Tasman District Council. 17 October 2025.
- ↑ "West Coast-Tasman - Official Result". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 8 April 2026.
- ↑ "Te Tai Tonga – Official Result". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 23 February 2026.
- 1 2 "Stats NZ Geographic Data Service". Urban Rural 2023 (generalised). Retrieved 12 April 2026.
- 1 2 "Subnational population estimates - Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
- ↑ "Ruby Bay". New Zealand Gazetteer. Toitū Te Whenua - Land Information New Zealand. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
- ↑ Wells, B.L. The fruits of labour : a history of the Moutere Hills Area served by the Port of Mapua.
- ↑ "Geographic Boundary Viewer". Stats NZ. Urban Rural Areas – 2023 and Statistical Area 2 – 2023.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Ruby Bay (2014). Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ↑ "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. 7022670–7022672 and 7022676.
- ↑ "Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ↑ "Stats NZ Geographic Data Service". Statistical Area 2 2023 (generalised). Retrieved 12 April 2026.
- ↑ "Subnational population estimates - Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Ruby Bay (301703). Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ↑ "Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Retrieved 3 October 2024.