Aka Aka is a rural locality on the Aka Aka Stream, a tributary of the Waikato River. It lies about 7 km southeast of Waiuku.

Aka Aka
Locality
Map
Coordinates: 37°17′35″S 174°47′33″E / 37.293°S 174.7926°E / -37.293; 174.7926
CountryNew Zealand
RegionWaikato region
DistrictWaikato District
WardAwaroa ki Tuakau
Electorates
Government
 • Territorial AuthorityWaikato District Council
 • Regional councilWaikato Regional Council
Area
 • Territorial186.94 km2 (72.18 sq mi)
Elevation
30 m (100 ft)
Population
 (June 2023)[2]
 • Territorial3,570
 • Density19/km2 (49/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+12 (NZST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+13 (NZDT)

The area was originally a swamp, drained in the late 19th century.[3][4]

The New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company has a factory in Aka Aka,[5] built in 1901.[6][7]

The current Aka Aka Hall, opened in 2002, contains a Roll of Honour commemorating people from the area killed in the first and second world wars.[8] The hall replaced one which was described as a "splendid new hall" in 1912.[9]

Demographics edit

Aka Aka statistical area covers all of the Waikato District north of the Waikato River and west of the Tutaenui Stream, and includes Otaua. It covers 186.94 km2 (72.18 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 3,570 as of June 2023,[2] with a population density of 19 people per km2.

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
20062,556—    
20132,637+0.45%
20183,102+3.30%
Source: [10]

Aka Aka had a population of 3,102 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 465 people (17.6%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 546 people (21.4%) since the 2006 census. There were 1,047 households, comprising 1,584 males and 1,518 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.04 males per female. The median age was 42.2 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 639 people (20.6%) aged under 15 years, 573 (18.5%) aged 15 to 29, 1,479 (47.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 408 (13.2%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 92.6% European/Pākehā, 11.7% Māori, 2.4% Pacific peoples, 4.2% Asian, and 1.5% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 15.7, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 59.0% had no religion, 30.8% were Christian, 0.3% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.4% were Hindu, 0.4% were Muslim, 0.2% were Buddhist and 1.7% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 381 (15.5%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 477 (19.4%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $39,200, compared with $31,800 nationally. 615 people (25.0%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 1,485 (60.3%) people were employed full-time, 402 (16.3%) were part-time, and 36 (1.5%) were unemployed.[10]

Education edit

Aka Aka School is a co-educational state primary school covering years 1 to 8,[11] with a roll of 50 as of February 2024.[12]

There is also a primary school at Otaua.

References edit

  1. ^ a b "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Population estimate tables - NZ.Stat". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  3. ^ "Highway Boards - Waiuku". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. XXI, no. 7015. 12 May 1884.
  4. ^ "Table Talk". Auckland Star. Vol. XXIII, no. 293. 15 December 1892.
  5. ^ "N Z Co-operative Dairy Company - Aka Aka Branch". Kete New Plymouth. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
  6. ^ "Untitled". Auckland Star. Vol. XXXII, no. 18. 22 January 1901.
  7. ^ "Co-operative Dairying Company - Prospectus". Waikato Argus. Vol. XI, no. 1031. 26 August 1901.
  8. ^ "Aka Aka Roll of Honour". New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage. 17 February 2017.
  9. ^ "A Developing District". Pukekohe & Waiuku Times. Vol. 1, no. 23. 14 August 1912. p. 3.
  10. ^ a b "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Aka Aka (169700). 2018 Census place summary: Aka Aka
  11. ^ Education Counts: Aka Aka School
  12. ^ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 14 March 2024.