Whitecliffs

Whitecliffs
Village
Countryside surrounding Whitecliffs
Interactive map of Whitecliffs
Country	New Zealand
Region	Canterbury
Territorial authority	Selwyn District
Ward	Malvern
Community	Malvern
Electorates	Selwyn Te Tai Tonga (Māori)
Government
• Territorial authority	Selwyn District Council
• Regional council	Environment Canterbury
• Mayor of Selwyn	Lydia Gliddon[1]
• Selwyn MP	Nicola Grigg
• Te Tai Tonga MP	Tākuta Ferris[2]
Area [3]
• Total	1.24 km2 (0.48 sq mi)
Elevation	288 m (945 ft)
Population  (June 2025)[4]
• Total	220
• Density	180/km2 (460/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+12 (New Zealand Standard Time)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+13 (New Zealand Daylight Time)
Postcode	7673
Area code	03

Whitecliffs is a village located in the Selwyn District of the Canterbury region of New Zealand's South Island. It has also been known as South Malvern (Sheffield was formerly known as Malvern), and the name of Whitecliffs comes from terrace cliffs above the Selwyn River / Waikirikiri.

Malvern Hills-Whitecliffs is described by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement, and covers 1.24 km² (0.48 sq mi).^[3] It had an estimated population of 220 as of June 2025,^[4] with a population density of 293 people per km². It is part of the Glentunnel statistical area.^[5]

Malvern Hills-Whitecliffs had a population of 174 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 21 people (13.7%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 45 people (34.9%) since the 2006 census. There were 81 households, comprising 84 males and 90 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.93 males per female. The median age was 44.8 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 33 people (19.0%) aged under 15 years, 21 (12.1%) aged 15 to 29, 93 (53.4%) aged 30 to 64, and 27 (15.5%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 94.8% European/Pākehā, 8.6% Māori, and 1.7% Pasifika. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 58.6% had no religion, and 27.6% were Christian.

Of those at least 15 years old, 30 (21.3%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 33 (23.4%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $34,700, compared with $31,800 nationally. 21 people (14.9%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 72 (51.1%) people were employed full-time, 21 (14.9%) were part-time, and 6 (4.3%) were unemployed.^[6]

The town was once^[when?] significantly larger and home to industrial activity such as pottery and brick-making, and coal and sand mining took place nearby. No industry takes place anymore.

The town's economic importance was significant enough for the Whitecliffs Branch, a branch line railway from the Midland Line, to be built to the town. It opened on 3 November 1875. Passenger services ceased on 13 March 1949, and due to declining freight, the line was closed entirely on 31 March 1962. The railway's engine shed still stands in the town.

• Information about Whitecliffs