Merrilands facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Merrilands |
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Merrilands shopping centre on Mangorei Road
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| Basic information | |
| Local authority | New Plymouth |
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| Land area | 173 ha (0.67 sq mi)* |
| Coordinates | 39°3′56″S 174°6′19″E / 39.06556°S 174.10528°E |
| Population | 3,110 (June 2023) |
  Merrilands  |
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Merrilands is a friendly neighbourhood, also called a suburb, in the city of New Plymouth, New Zealand. It is found in the western part of the North Island. Merrilands is located to the south-east of New Plymouth's main city area. Two rivers are nearby: the Waiwhakaiho River flows to the east, and the Te Henui Stream runs to the west.
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Who Lives in Merrilands?
Merrilands covers about 1.73 square kilometres (0.67 square miles). As of 2023, around 3,110 people live here. This means there are about 1798 people living in each square kilometre.
Population Changes Over Time
The number of people living in Merrilands has slowly grown.
- In 2006, there were 2,787 people.
- By 2013, the population was 2,811.
- In 2018, it reached 2,925 people.
People and Families
In 2018, there were 2,925 people living in Merrilands. This included 1,404 males and 1,521 females. The average age was 42.8 years old.
About 540 people (18.5%) were under 15 years old. There were 501 people (17.1%) aged 15 to 29. Most people, 1,236 (42.3%), were between 30 and 64 years old. About 642 people (21.9%) were 65 or older.
Different Cultures and Backgrounds
Merrilands is home to people from many different backgrounds.
- Most people (83.6%) are European or Pākehā.
- About 14.7% are Māori.
- Smaller groups include Pacific peoples (2.2%) and Asian people (7.3%).
- About 18.4% of people living in Merrilands were born outside of New Zealand.
Beliefs and Religions
When asked about their religious beliefs in 2018:
- Almost half (49.3%) said they had no religion.
- Many people (39.1%) were Christian.
- Some people followed other religions like Hindu (1.3%), Muslim (0.7%), or Buddhist (0.5%).
Learning and Schools
Merrilands has its own school! Merrilands School is a primary school for students in years 1 to 6. It teaches both boys and girls. The school opened in 1960. It currently has about 135 students.
Shopping and Fun
Merrilands has a main shopping area. You can find it at the corner of Cumberland Street and Mangorei Road.
What Can You Find?
At the main shopping centre, you can visit:
- A New World Supermarket for groceries.
- A pharmacy for medicines.
- A hair salon.
- A dentist.
- A medical centre.
- A Z fuel station.
- A Lotto and Post Shop.
There is also a smaller group of shops at Mangorei Road and Karaka Street. These include a dairy (a small convenience store) and a bakery.
Places to Gather
Merrilands also has a place called Stumble Inn. It is a spot where people can gather and enjoy live music from different musicians.
