Southbridge is a small town on the Canterbury Plains in the South Island of New Zealand.

[3] It is located 45 kilometres (28 mi) southwest of Christchurch, between Leeston, Dunsandel and the Rakaia River.

The town serves mainly as a centre for agricultural services, but also has nearly 70 small to medium-sized businesses, a swimming pool, tennis courts, Southbridge Primary School, and many other attractions.

[citation needed] On 13 July 1875, a branch line railway was opened from Christchurch to Southbridge.

Passenger services to Southbridge were cancelled on 14 April 1951, and the line closed entirely on 30 June 1962.

Few remnants of the line remain, though locations of level crossings can be discerned.

[7] Southbridge statistical area surrounds and includes the settlement and covers 361.56 km2 (139.60 sq mi).

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 52.8% had no religion, 35.8% were Christian, 0.1% had Māori religious beliefs, 1.3% were Hindu, 0.2% were Muslim, 0.2% were Buddhist and 2.2% had other religions.