Poukawa is a rural community in the Hastings District and Hawke's Bay Region of New Zealand's North Island.

Poukawa
Settlement
Map
Coordinates: 39°45′32″S 176°43′23″E / 39.759°S 176.723°E / -39.759; 176.723
CountryNew Zealand
RegionHawke's Bay Region
Territorial authorityHastings District
Ward
  • Kahurānaki General Ward
  • Takitimu Māori Ward
CommunityHastings District Rural Community
Electorates
Government
 • Territorial AuthorityHastings District Council
 • Regional councilHawke's Bay Regional Council
Area
 • Total19.49 km2 (7.53 sq mi)
Population
 (2018)[2]
 • Total156
 • Density8.0/km2 (21/sq mi)
Postcode(s)
4178

It is located south of Hastings, off State Highway 2.

Demographics edit

Poukawa settlement is in an SA1 statistical area, which covers 19.49 km2 (7.53 sq mi).[1] The SA1 area is part of the larger Poukawa statistical area.

Historical population for Poukawa settlement and surrounds
YearPop.±% p.a.
2006132—    
2013141+0.95%
2018156+2.04%
Source: [2]

The SA1 area had a population of 156 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 15 people (10.6%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 24 people (18.2%) since the 2006 census. There were 51 households, comprising 84 males and 75 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.12 males per female. The median age was 40.5 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 48 people (30.8%) aged under 15 years, 18 (11.5%) aged 15 to 29, 66 (42.3%) aged 30 to 64, and 27 (17.3%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 75.0% European/Pākehā, 57.7% Māori, 1.9% Pacific peoples, and 1.9% Asian. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 40.4% had no religion, 46.2% were Christian, and 1.9% had Māori religious beliefs.

Of those at least 15 years old, 12 (11.1%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 24 (22.2%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $30,100, compared with $31,800 nationally. 12 people (11.1%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 60 (55.6%) people were employed full-time, 15 (13.9%) were part-time, and 3 (2.8%) were unemployed.[2]

Poukawa statistical area edit

Poukawa statistical area covers 339.92 km2 (131.24 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 1,530 as of June 2023,[3] with a population density of 5 people per km2.

Historical population for Poukawa statistical area
YearPop.±% p.a.
20061,293—    
20131,272−0.23%
20181,365+1.42%
Source: [4]

The statistical area 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, comprising 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. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

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

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 51.0% had no religion, 35.8% were Christian, 3.3% had Māori religious beliefs and 0.9% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 249 (23.3%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 165 (15.4%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $36,600, compared with $31,800 nationally. 195 people (18.3%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% 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.[4]

Marae edit

The community has two Ngāti Kahungunu marae.

Te Whatuiāpiti Marae and meeting house is a meeting place of Ngāti Whatuiāpiti.[5][6] In October 2020, the Government committed $887,291 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade the marae and 4 others, creating 12 jobs.[7]

Kahurānaki Marae and Kahurānaki meeting house is a meeting place of Ngāi Te Rangikoianake and Ngāti Whatuiāpiti.[5][6] In October 2020, the Government committed $6,020,910 to upgrade Kahurānaki and 17 other marae, creating 39 jobs.[7]

Education edit

Poukawa School is a co-educational state primary school,[8] with a roll of 99 as of February 2024.[9][10] The school was established in 1921.[11]

Railway station edit

Poukawa had a flag station, opened on 16 February 1876, as part of the Paki Paki to Te Aute section of the Palmerston North–Gisborne Line. By 1891 there were 3 trains a day in each direction,[12] serving a shelter shed, platform, cart approach, loading bank and a short siding.[13] In 1912 an automatic tablet exchanger was added.[13] In 1929 a passing loop was added, which was moved north east, near to Te Mahanga Road, in 1958. In the 1931 earthquake the line near Te Mahanga Road was displaced by about 5 ft (1.5 m).[14] In 1967 Te Mahunga Road crossing gained flashing lights and bells, which were added the next year to Station Road crossing as well.[13] The station lost its passenger service on 3 August 1959 and closed on 1 August 1971.[15]

Te Hauke platform edit

After an 1884 petition for a platform at Te Hauke, 2 mi 27 ch (3.8 km) south of Poukawa, described as a Native Settlement, a short platform was provided in 1886 and a shelter shed in 1906. Te Hauke closed to all traffic on 21 Nov 1958.[13]

  Former adjoining stations  
Te Aute
Line open, station closed
6.19 km (3.85 mi)
  Palmerston North–Gisborne Line   Pakipaki
Line open, station closed
10.04 km (6.24 mi)[16]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  2. ^ a b c "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. 7016117.
  3. ^ "Population estimate tables - NZ.Stat". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Poukawa (208700). 2018 Census place summary: Poukawa
  5. ^ a b "Te Kāhui Māngai directory". tkm.govt.nz. Te Puni Kōkiri.
  6. ^ a b "Māori Maps". maorimaps.com. Te Potiki National Trust.
  7. ^ a b "Marae Announcements" (Excel). growregions.govt.nz. Provincial Growth Fund. 9 October 2020.
  8. ^ "Poukawa School Ministry of Education School Profile". educationcounts.govt.nz. Ministry of Education.
  9. ^ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  10. ^ "Poukawa School Education Review Office Report". ero.govt.nz. Education Review Office.
  11. ^ "Our School". Poukawa School. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
  12. ^ "WAIPAWA MAIL". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 3 March 1891. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  13. ^ a b c d "Station Archive". NZR Rolling Stock Lists. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  14. ^ "EFFECTS OF THE 'QUAKE. WAIPAWA MAIL". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 6 March 1931. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  15. ^ Scoble, Juliet (2010). "Names & Opening & Closing Dates of Railway Stations" (PDF). Rail Heritage Trust of New Zealand.
  16. ^ Yonge, John Roger; Company, Quail Map (1993). New Zealand Railway and Tramway Atlas. Quail Map Company. ISBN 9780900609923.