Poukawa

The statistical area of Poukawa, which at 340 square kilometres is much larger than this community, had a population of 1,365 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 93 people (7.3%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 72 people (5.6%) since the 2006 census. There were 492 households. There were 705 males and 660 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.07 males per female. The median age was 44.9 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 297 people (21.8%) aged under 15 years, 204 (14.9%) aged 15 to 29, 639 (46.8%) aged 30 to 64, and 225 (16.5%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 85.7% European/Pākehā, 23.3% Māori, 2.0% Pacific peoples, 0.9% Asian, and 1.5% other ethnicities (totals add to more than 100% since people could identify with multiple ethnicities).

The proportion of people born overseas was 12.5%, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people objected to giving their religion, 51.0% had no religion, 35.8% were Christian and 4.2% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 249 (23.3%) people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 165 (15.4%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $36,600, compared with $31,800 nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 606 (56.7%) people were employed full-time, 192 (18.0%) were part-time, and 15 (1.4%) were unemployed.[1]

The community has two Ngāti Kahungunu marae.

Te Whatuiāpiti Marae and meeting house is a meeting place of Ngāti Whatuiāpiti.[2][3] In October 2020, the Government committed $887,291 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade the marae and 4 others, creating 12 jobs.[4]

Kahurānaki Marae and Kahurānaki meeting house is a meeting place of Ngāi Te Rangikoianake and Ngāti Whatuiāpiti.[2][3] In October 2020, the Government committed $6,020,910 to upgrade Kahurānaki and 17 other marae, creating 39 jobs.[4]

Poukawa School is a co-educational state primary school,[5] with a roll of 111 as of March 2020.[6][7]