- Est. Median Value
- $318K
- Median Weekly Rent
- $200/wk
- Safety Score
- 68/100
- Green Space
- 78%
- Current Weather
- -1.8°C
- Median Age
- 58 yrs
~57 crimes/1k/yr
clear sky
Living in Stockton
Stockton is one of New Zealand's largest open-cast coal mines and the locality that exists in its orbit, on the Buller coalfields plateau above the West Coast. The mine operates on a scale that surprises people who don't follow New Zealand's coal industry: the Stockton open pit is the largest coal mine in the country, extracting hard coking coal from the plateau with an industrial footprint visible from the approaches that no amount of rehabilitation fully conceals, and that the surrounding landscape of beech forest and tussock frames with a dramatic contrast that the West Coast specialises in.
The locality has the character of an active industrial site rather than a residential community: the mine's operational workers and the support services that the operation requires, rather than the kind of community that builds schools and sports clubs. Westport provides the residential and social infrastructure for the families connected to the Stockton operation, and the mine road connects the plateau to the coastal town.
The coal from Stockton is coking coal - the hard metallurgical coal used in steel production rather than power generation - which gives the operation a different economic story from the thermal coal mines and a different set of international market connections. The West Coast's coal industry future debates run through Stockton's production figures.
Westport's schools serve the district. The scale of the mine is best appreciated from the access road.
Is Stockton a good place to live?
Stockton is home to roughly 963 people across 176.6 km². On Suburb's overall livability scale, Stockton scores 56 out of 100, with a safety score of 68/100 and 78% green space.
Housing: The estimated median value is around $318K, and weekly rent typically sits around $200.
Lifestyle: Stockton has cafés, shops and things to do nearby. Public transport stops are within easy reach. The current temperature is -1.8°C. See the Weather tab for monthly averages.
Whether Stockton is right for you depends on what you’re looking for. Use the data and community tips below to decide if it suits your lifestyle, family and budget.
Map
Livability Breakdown
- Safety68
- Amenities10
- Schools0
- Housing Affordability100
- Green space100
- Community11
- Transport10
Some dimensions are still pending data: schoolQuality.
Property & Economics
- Est. Median Value
- $318K
- Median Weekly Rent
- $200/wk
- Median HH Income
- $44K/yr
- Pop. Growth (5yr)
- +5.9%
- Data Year
- 2023
Key Financial Indicators (NZD)
† Est. Median Value is suburb.co.nz's own estimate, modelled from available public data. We aim for accuracy, but where data is limited, estimates may be imprecise.
Nearby Suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where is Stockton?
- Stockton is on the Buller coalfields plateau above Westport on the West Coast, where New Zealand's largest open-cast coal mine operates, reached via the Stockton Mine Road from the coast.
- What is the Stockton Mine?
- Stockton Mine is New Zealand's largest coal mine, extracting hard coking coal from the Buller plateau in an open-cast operation. The coking coal is used in steel production and is exported primarily to Asia.
- Who operates the Stockton Mine?
- Bathurst Resources, trading as Buller Coal, operates the Stockton Mine. Check current operational status for the latest information on the mine's production.
- What is coking coal?
- Coking coal (metallurgical coal) is hard coal used in the steel-making process, distinct from thermal coal used for power generation. Stockton's coking coal quality is considered high-grade by international standards.
- How do I get from Westport to Stockton?
- By car via the Stockton Mine Road from Westport, around 30 minutes to the plateau. Public access to the mine itself is restricted; the heritage attractions are at Denniston nearby.
- What is the postcode for Stockton?
- The postcode for Stockton is 7891.
- What is the population of Stockton?
- Stockton has 963 residents, based on the 2023 Census.
Explore Stockton
Things to do(2)
Burning vent
Derelict incline
Parks & green spaces
Parks and reserves for this area haven’t been catalogued yet.
Healthcare
Pharmacies and clinics for this area haven’t been catalogued yet.
Stockton Weather
Current conditions: -1.8°C, clear sky
| Month | High (°C) | Low (°C) | Rainfall (mm/day) | Sunshine (hrs/day) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ☀️ Jan | 18.2 | 10.13 | 6.66 | 11.38 |
| ☀️ Feb | 16.8 | 9.05 | 5.64 | 10.41 |
| 🍂 Mar | 14.13 | 6.82 | 9.09 | 8.86 |
| 🍂 Apr | 13.46 | 6.61 | 9.74 | 7.59 |
| 🍂 May | 10.9 | 4.81 | 8.28 | 5.84 |
| ❄️ Jun | 9.97 | 3.42 | 6.33 | 6.36 |
| ❄️ Jul | 8.64 | 2.13 | 5.05 | 6.6 |
| ❄️ Aug | 8.29 | 1.83 | 11.55 | 6.93 |
| 🌸 Sep | 10.09 | 3.44 | 14.32 | 7.48 |
| 🌸 Oct | 11.43 | 4.29 | 13.87 | 8.76 |
| 🌸 Nov | 13.09 | 5.71 | 10.73 | 9.5 |
| ☀️ Dec | 15.99 | 9.27 | 12.68 | 9.47 |
Stockton Community
Reviews of Stockton
No reviews yet. Be the first to share what living in Stockton is really like.
Local tips
No tips yet. Be the first to share what makes Stockton special.