Maihiihi

The statistical area of Maihiihi, which at 469 square kilometres is much larger than the community, had a population of 1,833 at the 2018 New Zealand census, a decrease of 15 people (-0.8%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 54 people (3.0%) since the 2006 census. There were 657 households. There were 963 males and 870 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.11 males per female. The median age was 33.3 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 468 people (25.5%) aged under 15 years, 342 (18.7%) aged 15 to 29, 819 (44.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 207 (11.3%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 86.9% European/Pākehā, 21.3% Māori, 1.1% Pacific peoples, 3.9% Asian, and 1.3% other ethnicities (totals add to more than 100% since people could identify with multiple ethnicities).

The proportion of people born overseas was 11.1%, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people objected to giving their religion, 57.3% had no religion, 31.4% were Christian, 1.0% were Hindu, 0.3% were Muslim, 0.3% were Buddhist and 2.3% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 147 (10.8%) people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 315 (23.1%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $39,400, compared with $31,800 nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 774 (56.7%) people were employed full-time, 234 (17.1%) were part-time, and 33 (2.4%) were unemployed.[2]

Maihiihi School is a Year 1-8 co-educational state primary school.[3][4] It is a decile 7 school with a roll of 76 as of March 2020.[5][6]

The school gained national attention in November 2016, for a handwritten note and parcel the principal gave an autistic student.[7][8]

It has also opposed the use of seclusion rooms for autistic students.[9]