The locality began about 1865 as one of the main alluvial gold fields of the West Coast gold rush.[5][6] The Hokitika & Kanieri Tramway laid with wooden rails was established from Hokitika by 1868, with cars drawn by horses.[7] A road followed by 1873.[8]
Kaniere often seen written Kanieri, official spelling of the town is Kaniere [9]
Locality on the Hokitika River, 5 km southeast of Hokitika. Kaniere Survey District.
History/Origin/Meaning:
Reeds[10] Dictionary of New Zealand Place Names gives the following explanation, "Kani is the act of sawing greenstone preparatory to making tools, weapons or ornaments, a long wearisome process. The name was formerly and incorrectly spelt Kanieri. The terminal ere or eri is inexplicable. There is just a possibility that it was originally oro, literally to grind or sharpen on a stone. It may be significant that, according to legend, Kanioro was the fabled guardian of greenstone". Instead of Kanieri. This decision confirms and supersedes the decision of 1930. (Gaz 1948, p939)[11]
Demographics
Kaniere is described by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement and covers 2.94 km2 (1.14 sq mi).[1] It had an estimated population of 550 as of June 2024,[2] with a population density of 187 people per km2. The settlement is part of the larger Hokitika Rural statistical area.[12]
Before the 2023 census, the settlement had a smaller boundary, covering 1.30 km2 (0.50 sq mi).[1] Using that boundary, Kaniere had a population of 300 at the 2018 New Zealand census, unchanged since the 2013 census, and an increase of 9 people (3.1%) since the 2006 census. There were 126 households, comprising 156 males and 144 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.08 males per female, with 57 people (19.0%) aged under 15 years, 39 (13.0%) aged 15 to 29, 162 (54.0%) aged 30 to 64, and 39 (13.0%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 95.0% European/Pākehā, 14.0% Māori, 1.0% Asian, and 2.0% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 57.0% had no religion, 33.0% were Christian, 1.0% were Buddhist and 2.0% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 36 (14.8%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 57 (23.5%) people had no formal qualifications. 39 people (16.0%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 135 (55.6%) people were employed full-time, 42 (17.3%) were part-time, and 6 (2.5%) were unemployed.[13]
Hokitika Rural statistical area
Hokitika Rural statistical area covers 140.96 km2 (54.42 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 1,320 as of June 2024,[14] with a population density of 9.4 people per km2.
Before the 2023 census, the statistical area had a larger boundary, covering 154.38 km2 (59.61 sq mi).[1] Using that boundary, Hokitika Rural had a population of 1,440 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 81 people (6.0%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 153 people (11.9%) since the 2006 census. There were 570 households, comprising 732 males and 705 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.04 males per female. The median age was 46.2 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 276 people (19.2%) aged under 15 years, 183 (12.7%) aged 15 to 29, 738 (51.2%) aged 30 to 64, and 246 (17.1%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 93.3% European/Pākehā, 11.2% Māori, 0.4% Pasifika, 1.5% Asian, and 2.5% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 12.1, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 55.2% had no religion, 33.8% were Christian, 0.2% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.2% were Hindu, 0.2% were Buddhist and 1.5% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 177 (15.2%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 243 (20.9%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $34,100, compared with $31,800 nationally. 213 people (18.3%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 624 (53.6%) people were employed full-time, 207 (17.8%) were part-time, and 24 (2.1%) were unemployed.[15]
Education
Kaniere School is a coeducational contributing primary (years 1–6) school with a roll of 108 students as of November 2024.[16][17]
