Editing Granity

{{Short description|Town on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=August 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name                    = Granity
|image_skyline           = Granity Memorial (1) (6966287306).jpg
|image_caption           = Granity War Memorial
|area_total_km2          = 2.36
|area_footnotes          = <ref name="Area"/>
|population_footnotes    = {{NZ population data 2018||||y}}
|population_as_of        = {{NZ population data 2018|||y}}
|population_total        = {{NZ population data 2018|Granity|y}}
|population_density_km2  = auto
|subdivision_type        = Country
|subdivision_name        = New Zealand
|subdivision_type1       = Region
|subdivision_name1       = [[West Coast, New Zealand|West Coast]]
|subdivision_type2       = District
|subdivision_name2       = [[Buller District]]
|subdivision_type3       = Ward
|subdivision_name3       = Seddon
|seat_type               = Electorates
|seat                    = {{ubl|[[West Coast-Tasman]]|[[Te Tai Tonga]]}}
|leader_title            = Territorial authority
|leader_name             = [[Buller District Council]]
|leader_title1           = Regional council
|leader_name1            = [[West Coast Regional Council]]
|leader_title2           = [[Mayor of Buller]]
|leader_name2            = {{NZ officeholder data|Buller District Mayor|y}}
|leader_title3           = {{nowrap|[[West Coast-Tasman|West Coast-Tasman MP]]}}
|leader_name3            = {{NZ officeholder data|West Coast-Tasman MP|y}}
|leader_title4           = [[Te Tai Tonga|Te Tai Tonga MP]]
|leader_name4            = {{NZ officeholder data|Te Tai Tonga MP|y}}
|image_map               = {{infobox mapframe|coord={{coord|41|37|47|S|171|51|13|E}}|zoom=9}}
|coordinates             = {{coord|41|37|47|S|171|51|13|E|region:NZ_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|official_name           = 
}}
'''Granity''' is a small town on the [[West Coast, New Zealand|West Coast]] of New Zealand's [[South Island]], {{convert|28|km|mi|0}} north-east of [[Westport, New Zealand|Westport]] on [[State Highway 67 (New Zealand)|State Highway 67]]. [[Karamea]] is {{convert|68|km|mi|0}} further north.<ref>{{cite book|title=Reed New Zealand Atlas|year=2004|isbn=0-7900-0952-8|editor=Peter Dowling |publisher=Reed Books|at=map 62}}</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|at=map 134}}</ref>

The town is on a narrow strip of land between the [[Tasman Sea]] to the west and steep, mountains to the immediate east. Long known as a [[coal]]-[[mining]] town, the population declined as the industry waned. The population was {{NZ population data 2018|Granity|y}} in {{NZ population data 2018|||y|y||.}} Several neighbouring towns, such as [[Denniston, New Zealand|Denniston]], have become virtually [[ghost town]]s. In 1911 Granity's population was 589,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 Apr 1911 |title=Report on the results of a census of the Dominion of New Zealand |url=https://ia802704.us.archive.org/33/items/reportonresultso00newz/reportonresultso00newz.pdf}}</ref> 641 in 1921<ref>{{Cite web |title=1921 Census - Part 01 - Population |url=https://statsnz.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p20045coll21/id/15 |access-date=2022-09-03 |website=statsnz.contentdm.oclc.org |language=en}}</ref> and 547 in 1956.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1956 Census - Part 01 - Increase and Location of Population |url=https://statsnz.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p20045coll21/id/78/rec/19 |access-date=2022-09-03 |website=statsnz.contentdm.oclc.org |language=en}}</ref> Granity had a railway station on the [[Stillwater–Ngākawau Line|Westport-Ngākawau Line]] from 28 Feb 1892 until 16 May 1982, though closed to passengers from 14 October 1946.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Scoble |first=Juliet |date=Apr 2010 |title=Names & Opening & Closing Dates of Railway Stations in New Zealand 1863 to 2010 |url=https://railheritage.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Dates_and_names.pdf |website=Rail Heritage Trust of New Zealand}}</ref> In 1902 it had a staff of 5.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Granity |url=https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Cyc05Cycl-t1-body1-d1-d2-d30.html |access-date=2022-09-03 |website=nzetc.victoria.ac.nz}}</ref>

The name "Granity" was given to the town by gold prospectors, in reference to the large quantity of [[granite]] in the area.<ref>{{cite book | first=A. W. | last=Reed | title=The Reed Dictionary of New Zealand Place Names | publisher=Reed Books | location=Auckland | year=2002 | isbn=0-7900-0761-4}}</ref>

==Demographics==
Granity is described by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement and covers {{Convert|2.36|km2||abbr=on}}.<ref name="Area">{{Cite web|title=ArcGIS Web Application|url=https://statsnz.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=6f49867abe464f86ac7526552fe19787| access-date=23 May 2024|website=statsnz.maps.arcgis.com}}</ref> It had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2018|Granity|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2018|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Granity|y}}|R}}/2.36|0}} people per km<sup>2</sup>. It is part of the larger Buller Coalfields statistical area.

{{Historical populations|2006|189|2013|201|2018|168|percentages=pagr|align=left|source=<ref name="Census 2018"/>}}
Before the 2023 census, the settlement had a smaller boundary, covering {{Convert|1.95|km2||abbr=on}}.<ref name="Area"/> Using that boundary, Granity had a population of 168 at the [[2018 New Zealand census]], a decrease of 33 people (−16.4%) since the [[2013 New Zealand census|2013 census]], and a decrease of 21 people (−11.1%) since the [[2006 New Zealand census|2006 census]]. There were 90 households, comprising 93 males and 75 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.24 males per female. The median age was 55.7 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 24 people (14.3%) aged under 15 years, 12 (7.1%) aged 15 to 29, 90 (53.6%) aged 30 to 64, and 42 (25.0%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 94.6% European/[[Pākehā]], 12.5% [[Māori people|Māori]], 1.8% [[Pasifika New Zealanders|Pasifika]], and 1.8% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 66.1% had no religion, 17.9% were [[Christianity in New Zealand|Christian]] and 1.8% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 12 (8.3%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 45 (31.2%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $18,800, compared with $31,800 nationally. 9 people (6.2%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 45 (31.2%) people were employed full-time, 15 (10.4%) were part-time, and 6 (4.2%) were unemployed.<ref name="Census 2018">{{NZ census 2018|7023590}}</ref>

===Buller Coalfields statistical area===
Buller Coalfields statistical area, which also includes [[Hector and Ngakawau]] and [[Waimangaroa]], covers {{Convert|498.52|km2||abbr=on}}.<ref name="Area"/> It had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Buller Coalfields|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Buller Coalfields|y}}|R}}/498.52|1}} people per km<sup>2</sup>.

{{Historical populations|2006|939|2013|987|2018|909|percentages=pagr|align=left|title=Historical population for Buller Coalfields|source=<ref name="Census 2018 BC"/>}}
Buller Coalfields had a population of 909 at the [[2018 New Zealand census]], a decrease of 78 people (−7.9%) since the [[2013 New Zealand census|2013 census]], and a decrease of 30 people (−3.2%) since the [[2006 New Zealand census|2006 census]]. There were 447 households, comprising 480 males and 429 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.12 males per female. The median age was 54.0 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 135 people (14.9%) aged under 15 years, 84 (9.2%) aged 15 to 29, 486 (53.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 204 (22.4%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 90.1% European/[[Pākehā]], 11.9% [[Māori people|Māori]], 1.3% [[Pasifika New Zealanders|Pasifika]], 1.7% [[Asian New Zealanders|Asian]], and 3.6% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 11.9, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 60.4% had no religion, 24.8% were [[Christianity in New Zealand|Christian]], 0.3% had [[Religion of Māori people|Māori religious beliefs]], 0.3% were [[Buddhism in New Zealand|Buddhist]] and 1.7% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 78 (10.1%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 231 (29.8%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $19,600, compared with $31,800 nationally. 57 people (7.4%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 264 (34.1%) people were employed full-time, 93 (12.0%) were part-time, and 39 (5.0%) were unemployed.<ref name="Census 2018 BC">{{NZ census 2018|Buller Coalfields (309500)|buller-coalfields|Buller Coalfields}}</ref>

== Economy ==
The Granity Creek Sawmill was established in 1846 and was a significant employer in the area. The town was also the location of the engineering division of the Westport Coal Company, and the railway station was used for loading and dispatching coal from the nearby [[Millerton, New Zealand|Millerton]] mine.<ref name=":0" />

==Education==
Granity School opened in 1879 in [[Ngakawau]] and was later re-located to a site between Ngakawau and Granity. In 1901 it had a roll of 100 pupils.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Granity {{!}} NZETC|url=http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Cyc05Cycl-t1-body1-d1-d2-d30.html|access-date=2020-09-10|website=nzetc.victoria.ac.nz}}</ref> The school is a co-educational full primary school (years 1–8), with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|3192|y}} as of {{NZ school roll data|||y|y||.}}<ref>{{TKI|3192|Granity School}}</ref> The natural erosion of the beach, at a rate of {{convert|40|cm|in|0}} per year, is threatening the school buildings, and a [[Levee|stopbank]] has resulted in the school grounds protruding further out onto the beach than adjoining properties.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/news/7162624/Little-Granity-School-versus-the-sea|title=Little Granity School versus the sea|date=25 June 2012|work=Timaru Herald|accessdate=25 June 2012}}</ref>

==Biodiversity==
The very rare and critically endangered [[cobble skink]] is only known to occur on a short stretch of pebbled coast at Granity.<ref name="RNZ2016">{{Cite web |url= http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/afternoons/audio/201804032/critter-of-the-week |title=Critter of the Week|last=|first=|date=10 June 2016 |website=RNZ |publisher=|access-date=10 June 2016}}</ref>

== Notable people ==
Notable people from Granity include:

* [[Bub Bridger]], writer and performer

==Gallery==
<gallery mode="packed" heights="150">
File:The Lyric Theatre in Granity.jpg |The Lyric Theatre
File:Granity band rotunda.JPG|Band rotunda
File:Granity Fund-raising Centre.JPG|Fund-raising Centre - the community "op-shop"
File:Granity Community Library.jpg|[[Granity Community Library]]
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{commons category-inline|Granity}}
*[http://www.granity-nz.com/ Granity website]

{{Buller District}}

[[Category:Buller District]]
[[Category:Populated places in the West Coast Region]]