Aongatete

Aongatete is a settlement and rural community in the Western Bay of Plenty District and Bay of Plenty Region of New Zealand's North Island. It is located on State Highway 2, south of Katikati and north-west of Omokoroa. The landscape consists of a long valley descending into the Tauranga Harbour.[1]

Aongatete
Rural community
Coordinates: 37.608°S 175.943°E / -37.608; 175.943
CountryNew Zealand
RegionBay of Plenty
Territorial authorityWestern Bay of Plenty District
WardKatikati-Waihi Beach
Population
 (2018)
 • Total3,279
Postcode(s)
3181

The local Kaimai Mamaku Conservation Park, managed by the Department of Conservation, including walks through puriri and kohekohe forest, along the Aongatete Stream, and to swimming holes.[2] Ngai Tamawhariua are guardians of the 500 hectare native forest, and a Forest and Bird volunteer group helps maintain it.[3] A restoration trust was established in 2006 to trap or poison pests like stoats, rats, cats and possums.[4]

The Aongatete Lodge and Outdoor Education Centre, located in the forest, hosts school camps and events like the International Juggling Association Oceania Competition.[5][6]

The settlement includes Aongatete Coolstores, a kiwifruit orcharding, packing and coolstore business.[7] Seeka Limited, a produce company listed on the NZX, purchased the business for $25 million in March 2019.[8]

Vodafone installed a cell tower at Aongatete in January 2014.[9] Ultra fast broadband internet was introduced to Aongatete in December 2019.[10]

During the 2020 Covid-19 lockdown, a local couple tried to cheer up the community with humorous displays featuring teddy bears.[11]

Demographics
Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
20062,565—    
20132,793+1.22%
20183,279+3.26%
Source: [12]

The statistical area of Aongatete, which at 165 square kilometres is much larger than the settlement, had a population of 3,279 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 486 people (17.4%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 714 people (27.8%) since the 2006 census. There were 1,287 households. There were 1,641 males and 1,641 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.0 males per female. The median age was 51.2 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 510 people (15.6%) aged under 15 years, 381 (11.6%) aged 15 to 29, 1,593 (48.6%) aged 30 to 64, and 792 (24.2%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 89.2% European/Pākehā, 11.2% Māori, 1.7% Pacific peoples, 3.1% Asian, and 2.1% other ethnicities (totals add to more than 100% since people could identify with multiple ethnicities).

The proportion of people born overseas was 20.0%, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people objected to giving their religion, 57.5% had no religion, 30.7% were Christian, 0.4% were Hindu, 0.1% were Muslim, 0.7% were Buddhist and 3.2% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 474 (17.1%) people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 492 (17.8%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $30,500, compared with $31,800 nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 1,332 (48.1%) people were employed full-time, 528 (19.1%) were part-time, and 72 (2.6%) were unemployed.[12]

Education

Matahui Road School is a co-educational private primary school,[13] with a roll of 58 as of March 2020.[14]

The school was established in 1988 and is governed by the Matahui Road School Charitable Trust.[15]

References
  1. Balvert-O'Conner, Monique (29 July 2019). "The rural haven where you can hear the plants making music". stuff.co.nz. NZ Gardener.
  2. "Aongatete walks". doc.govt.nz. Department of Conservation.
  3. "Aongatete Forest Project". forestandbird.org.nz. Forest and Bird.
  4. Hess, Allison (27 April 2017). "Battle for the birds making a difference in the Bay". New Zealand Media and Entertainment. Bay of Plenty Times.
  5. "Aongatete". aongateteoec.co.nz. Aongatete Outdoor Education Centre.
  6. Staff reporter (25 January 2020). "Juggling and circus festivities for all". Sun Media. Sun Live.
  7. Staff reporter (13 March 2019). "Seeka Limited buys Aongatete Coolstores for $25m". New Zealand Media and Entertainment. Bay of Plenty Times.
  8. Staff reporters (16 March 2020). "A profitable year for Seeka". Rural News Group. ruralnews.co.nz.
  9. "New tower boosts broadband options for Aongatete". Voxy.co.nz. Vodafone New Zealand. 16 January 2014.
  10. "Fibre Uptake Soaring As UFB Network Expansion Completed 2 Years Early By Ultrafast Fibre". stuff.co.nz. Ultrafast Fibre Ltd. 17 February 2020.
  11. Hutchinson, Daniel (4 April 2020). "Laughter is the best medicine". Sun Media. Sun Live.
  12. "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Aongatete (190500). 2018 Census place summary: Aongatete
  13. "Matahui Road School Ministry of Education School Profile". educationcounts.govt.nz. Ministry of Education.
  14. "Matahui Road School Education Review Office Report". ero.govt.nz. Education Review Office.
  15. Udy, Carly (23 November 2009). "Key becomes one of the kids on visit". The Bay of Plenty Times.
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