Manutuke

The population of Manutuke was 402 in the 2018 census, an increase of 18 from 2013. There were 198 males and 204 females. 41.0% of people identified as European/Pākehā, 71.6% as Māori and 3.0% as Pacific peoples. 18.7% were under 15 years old, 14.2% were 15–29, 49.3% were 30–64, and 17.2% were 65 or older.[1]

The statistical area of Te Arai, which covers 55 square kilometres and also includes Patutahi, had a population of 1,128 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 72 people (6.8%) since the 2013 census, and a decrease of 51 people (-4.3%) since the 2006 census. There were 399 households. There were 573 males and 555 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.03 males per female. The median age was 40.8 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 234 people (20.7%) aged under 15 years, 183 (16.2%) aged 15 to 29, 531 (47.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 177 (15.7%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 54.3% European/Pākehā, 59.3% Māori, 2.1% Pacific peoples, 0.3% Asian, and 1.9% other ethnicities (totals add to more than 100% since people could identify with multiple ethnicities).

The proportion of people born overseas was 5.9%, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people objected to giving their religion, 46.5% had no religion, 37.8% were Christian, 0.3% were Buddhist and 8.0% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 135 (15.1%) people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 192 (21.5%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $30,300, compared with $31,800 nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 477 (53.4%) people were employed full-time, 144 (16.1%) were part-time, and 48 (5.4%) were unemployed.[3]

Te Araroa Domain is Manutuke's sports ground.[4]

The area has four marae belonging to the hapū of Rongowhakaata:

• Manutuke Marae and Te Poho o Rukupo or Te Poho o Epeha meeting house is a meeting place of Ngāti Kaipoho.
• Ohako Marae and Te Kiko o te Rangi meeting house is a meeting place of Ngāi Tāwhiri and Ruapani.
• Pāhou Marae and Te Poho o Taharakau meeting house is a meeting place of Ngāti Maru.
• Whakato Marae and Te Mana o Turanga meeting house is also a meeting place of Ngāti Maru.[5][6]

In October 2020, the Government committed $1,466,370 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade Ohako Marae, Pāhou Marae and Whakato Marae, creating an estimated 35 jobs. It also committed $1,686,254 to upgrade Manutuke Marae and 5 other Rongowhakaata marae, creating an estimated 41 jobs.[7]

Manutuke School is a Year 1-8 co-educational public primary school[8] with a roll of 133 as of March 2020.[9][10][11]