Fitzherbert

Fitzherbert
Fitzherbert Bridge Over Manawatū River
Interactive map of Fitzherbert
Coordinates: 40°23′17″S 175°38′10″E / 40.388°S 175.636°E / -40.388; 175.636
CountryNew Zealand
CityPalmerston North
Local authorityPalmerston North City Council
Electoral ward
  • Te Hirawanui General Ward
  • Te Pūao Māori Ward
Area
 • Land701 ha (1,730 acres)
Population
 (June 2025)[2]
 • Total
4,700
 • Density670/km2 (1,700/sq mi)
Postcode
4410
(Manawatū River) Aokautere
Massey University
Fitzherbert
Turitea

Fitzherbert (also known as Summerhill)[3] is a suburb of Palmerston North, Manawatū-Whanganui, New Zealand.

The Massey University Manawatu Campus is west and northwest of Fitzherbert.

The Food HQ was established north of the Massey University campus in 1971, and includes Plant & Food Research, Fonterra and Massey University research facilities.[4]

Demographics

Fitzherbert covers 7.01 km2 (2.71 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 4,700 as of June 2025,[2] with a population density of 670 people per km2.

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
20062,700—    
20132,907+1.06%
20183,315+2.66%
20234,317+5.42%
Source: [5][6]

Fiztherbert had a population of 4,317 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 1,002 people (30.2%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 1,410 people (48.5%) since the 2013 census. There were 2,043 males, 2,253 females, and 21 people of other genders in 1,467 dwellings.[7] 3.6% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. There were 777 people (18.0%) aged under 15 years, 852 (19.7%) aged 15 to 29, 1,971 (45.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 717 (16.6%) aged 65 or older.[5]

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 70.1% European (Pākehā); 9.1% Māori; 2.0% Pasifika; 24.6% Asian; 3.4% 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 95.6%, Māori by 2.6%, Samoan by 0.1%, and other languages by 25.1%. No language could be spoken by 2.0% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.8%. The percentage of people born overseas was 35.0, compared with 28.8% nationally.[5]

Religious affiliations were 32.1% Christian, 4.4% Hindu, 4.0% Islam, 0.4% Māori religious beliefs, 2.4% Buddhist, 0.1% New Age, 0.3% Jewish, and 2.0% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 48.0%, and 6.0% of people did not answer the census question.[5]

Of those at least 15 years old, 1,431 (40.4%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 1,575 (44.5%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 537 (15.2%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. 675 people (19.1%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 1,830 (51.7%) full-time, 510 (14.4%) part-time, and 78 (2.2%) unemployed.[5]

Individual statistical areas
Name Area
(km2)
Population Density
(per km2)
Dwellings Median age Median
income
Poutoa 2.72 2,385 877 855 45.7 years $42,900[8]
Fitzherbert 4.29 1,932 450 612 35.1 years $57,900[9]
New Zealand 38.1 years $41,500

References

  1. ^ a b "Stats NZ Geographic Data Service". Statistical Area 2 2023 (generalised). Retrieved 26 December 2025.
  2. ^ a b "Subnational population estimates - Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
  3. ^ Knight, Lisa (8 July 2015). "The friendly suburb, but is it Summerhill, Fitzherbert or Aokautere?". www.stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
  4. ^ Heagney, George (16 June 2019). "Former Plant and Food Research site up for sale". stuff.co.nz. Manawatu Standard.
  5. ^ a b c d e "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Poutoa (232701) and Fitzherbert (232702). Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  6. ^ "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Poutoa (232700). 2018 Census place summary: Poutoa
  7. ^ "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.
  8. ^ "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ - Tatauranga Aotearoa - Aotearoa Data Explorer. Poutoa. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  9. ^ "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ - Tatauranga Aotearoa - Aotearoa Data Explorer. Fitzherbert. Retrieved 3 October 2024.