Utuhina

Utuhina had a population of 1,491 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 114 people (8.3%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 87 people (6.2%) since the 2006 census. There were 522 households. There were 723 males and 768 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.94 males per female. The median age was 36.6 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 315 people (21.1%) aged under 15 years, 327 (21.9%) aged 15 to 29, 651 (43.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 201 (13.5%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 56.7% European/Pākehā, 37.0% Māori, 7.8% Pacific peoples, 17.9% Asian, and 1.0% other ethnicities (totals add to more than 100% since people could identify with multiple ethnicities).

The proportion of people born overseas was 23.5%, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people objected to giving their religion, 45.1% had no religion, 34.6% were Christian, 6.2% were Hindu, 0.2% were Muslim, 0.4% were Buddhist and 5.2% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 186 (15.8%) people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 231 (19.6%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $27,300, compared with $31,800 nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 585 (49.7%) people were employed full-time, 192 (16.3%) were part-time, and 66 (5.6%) were unemployed.[1]

Mataatua Marae was established in the 1960s as a gathering place for the Tūhoe people.

Local Tuhoe had been calling for Māori Land Court to set aside land for a Tuhoe marae reservation in Rotorua. The land was ultimately made available by the Ngāti Whakaue people; the meeting hall Aroha a te Arawa was named in recognition of Tuhoe's gratitude for the gift of the land.

Families began living on the land from 1962, and Eastern Maori MP Paraone Reweti opened a community centre on the site in 1969.[2]

In October 2020, the Government committed $3,996,258 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade the marae and 7 others, creating 79 jobs.[3]

Two co-educational state primary schools are located in Utuhina. Malfroy School is a Year 1 to 6 school,[4] with a roll of 281.[5] Rotorua School is a Year 1 to 8 school,[6][7] with a roll of 262.[8]

Rotorua Boys' High School is a state secondary school,[9][10] with a roll of 1022.[11]

John Paul College is a state-integrated Year 7 to 13 school,[12][13] with a roll of 1229.[14]