Hurunui is a district with a slowly increasing population of 14,350. It has seen a population growth of 11% since the 2018 census. Mid level projections estimate that Hurunui will have a population of 15,300 by 2033.
There were 2,643 businesses in the Hurunui District in 2025. 72% of those businesses are very small, with zero employees; the remaining 28% of businesses collectively employ 4,750 employees.
The largest business sectors in the Hurunui District are:
| Industry (as of 2022) | Numbers of people employed* | GDP for Hurunui | Median annual earnings for individuals |
| Agriculture | 1,200 | $282m | $51,580 |
| Manufacturing | 300 | $45m | $56,930 |
| Electricity, Water and Waste | 110 | $83m | $86,400 |
*Number of people employed does not include business owners
A large part of the Hurunui economy is made up of tourism. Tourism covers a range of industries including retail, hospitality, accommodation and transportation. In the year ending February 2026, domestic visitor spend accounted for $158.8m and international visitor spend was $18.5m.
Unemployment in Hurunui is traditionally at very low levels (2.9% in December 2025 compared to 5.3% for New Zealand). This can make it difficult to find staff that live locally. However, with major housing developments underway and proximity to the Waimakariri District it is possible to find suitable semi-skilled and unskilled workers.
It can be difficult to find non-agricultural highly skilled workers and any technical business looking to establish in Hurunui would need to consider how they would attract the employees they need to the area. Hurunui does offer an extremely attractive lifestyle and affordable housing.
The Move On Up resources, tools, stories and videos help to show why people choose to live in this area.
The major urban settlements of the Hurunui District are Amberley, Cheviot and Hanmer Springs. Culverden and the Waipara Valley wine region are among the many smaller populated areas in the district.
Located on State Highway 1, Amberley township is a busy rural service centre with an impressive range of cafes, shops and amenities.
Primarily a rural service centre, Culverden has welcomed a number of eateries and rural accommodation options in recent years.
Best known for its natural hot pools and stunning alpine village, Hanmer Springs is a bustling tourism destination 90 minutes’ drive from Christchurch.
Cheviot is the largest town on the coastal route between Amberley and Kaikoura. While is primarily a rural service town it is a charming place to explore.
With an ideal climate and soil, forests rich with wild game, farms, truffières, rivers and coastlines, the Waipara Valley is a key food and wine producing areas.
Primarily a rural service centre, Hawarden is the gateway to the secluded wilderness and pristine Lake Sumner Forest Park area offering excellent hunting and fishing grounds.
There are a large number of small settlements scattered across the Hurunui. Many, such as Waiau, Rotherham and Greta Valley serve primarily as rural service centres while others such as Leithfield and Gore Bay are coastal holiday settlements.
Last updated in April 2026. If you require more in depth or recent information please contact our Business Support Manager, Miles Dalton.
