West Plains is a locality in the Southland Region of New Zealand, northwest of Invercargill and north of Otatara.

West Plains-Makarewa statistical area covers 87.87 km2 (33.93 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 1,800 as of June 2024,[2] with a population density of 20 people per km2.

The percentage of people born overseas was 7.6, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 52.1% had no religion, 37.9% were Christian, 0.6% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.6% were Buddhist and 0.7% had other religions.

[4] West Plains School was established c.1882.