Puni, New Zealand

The statistical area of Puni, which at 38 square kilometres is much larger than the locality, had a population of 1,593 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 63 people (4.1%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 132 people (9.0%) since the 2006 census. There were 480 households. There were 831 males and 765 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.09 males per female. The median age was 41 years, with 321 people (20.2%) aged under 15 years, 315 (19.8%) aged 15 to 29, 723 (45.4%) aged 30 to 64, and 234 (14.7%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 75.7% European/Pākehā, 13.4% Māori, 5.5% Pacific peoples, 14.9% Asian, and 2.4% other ethnicities (totals add to more than 100% since people could identify with multiple ethnicities).

The proportion of people born overseas was 18.8%, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people objected to giving their religion, 51.0% had no religion, 36.2% were Christian, 3.2% were Hindu, 0.4% were Muslim, 0.6% were Buddhist and 4.1% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 186 (14.6%) people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 246 (19.3%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $36,100. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 732 (57.5%) people were employed full-time, 201 (15.8%) were part-time, and 27 (2.1%) were unemployed.[2]

Puni School is a contributing primary school (years 1–6) with a roll of 230.[3] The school was founded in 1878.[4]

Mauku School is a contributing primary school (years 1–6) with a roll of 136.[5] It is a little more than 4 km northwest of Puni School, and was opened in 1883.[6]

Both schools are coeducational. Rolls are as of March 2020.[7]