Turua is a small village community on the banks of the Waihou River in the Hauraki Plains in the North Island of New Zealand. It is located close to the mouth of the river, 9 kilometres south of the Firth of Thames and 12 km south of Thames. It is connected by road (Hauraki Road) to SH 25 in the north and SH 2 to the south.

Turua
Map
Coordinates: 37°14′S 175°34′E / 37.233°S 175.567°E / -37.233; 175.567
CountryNew Zealand
RegionWaikato region
DistrictHauraki District
WardPlains Ward
Electorates
Government
 • Territorial AuthorityHauraki District Council
 • Regional councilWaikato Regional Council
Area
 • Total0.96 km2 (0.37 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2023)[2]
 • Total420
 • Density440/km2 (1,100/sq mi)

Turua is a Māori place name meaning "twice seen," referring to reflections in the river. Before European settlement, the town site was a Māori pā surrounded by vast forests of kahikatea that came to be known as the "Turua Woods." In the late 19th century the village of Turua became one of the most important sites of kahikatea exploitation in New Zealand when the family of George and Martha Bagnall bought the Turua sawmill in 1875. Over the next forty years the stands of kahikatea surrounding the town were replaced by small family farms.[3]

Demographics edit

Turua is defined by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement and covers 0.96 km2 (0.37 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 420 as of June 2023,[2] with a population density of 438 people per km2. It is part of the larger Hauraki Plains East statistical area.

Historical population for Turua
YearPop.±% p.a.
2006381—    
2013378−0.11%
2018381+0.16%
Source: [4]
 
Turua Wharf, looking downstream
 
Turua Wharf, looking upstream

Turua had a population of 381 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 3 people (0.8%) since the 2013 census, and unchanged since the 2006 census. There were 153 households, comprising 183 males and 198 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.92 males per female, with 75 people (19.7%) aged under 15 years, 60 (15.7%) aged 15 to 29, 168 (44.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 81 (21.3%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 87.4% European/Pākehā, 19.7% Māori, 1.6% Pacific peoples, 3.1% Asian, and 1.6% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 63.0% had no religion, 25.2% were Christian, 1.6% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.8% were Hindu, 1.6% were Buddhist and 3.9% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 15 (4.9%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 93 (30.4%) people had no formal qualifications. 36 people (11.8%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 144 (47.1%) people were employed full-time, 39 (12.7%) were part-time, and 15 (4.9%) were unemployed.[4]

Hauraki Plains East edit

Hauraki Plains East statistical area covers 90.65 km2 (35.00 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 1,550 as of June 2023,[5] with a population density of 17.1 people per km2.

Historical population for Hauraki Plains East
YearPop.±% p.a.
20061,338—    
20131,317−0.23%
20181,365+0.72%
Source: [6]

Hauraki Plains East had a population of 1,365 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 48 people (3.6%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 27 people (2.0%) since the 2006 census. There were 495 households, comprising 681 males and 684 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.0 males per female. The median age was 40.3 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 297 people (21.8%) aged under 15 years, 225 (16.5%) aged 15 to 29, 648 (47.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 198 (14.5%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 90.3% European/Pākehā, 16.5% Māori, 0.9% Pacific peoples, 2.6% Asian, and 1.5% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 9.9, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 61.3% had no religion, 26.6% were Christian, 0.9% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.7% were Hindu, 0.4% were Buddhist and 2.0% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 114 (10.7%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 282 (26.4%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $33,000, compared with $31,800 nationally. 147 people (13.8%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 570 (53.4%) people were employed full-time, 162 (15.2%) were part-time, and 30 (2.8%) were unemployed.[6]

Education edit

Turua Primary School is a co-educational state primary school,[7] with a roll of 102 as of February 2024.[8][9]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Subnational population estimates (RC, SA2), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023. (regional councils); "Subnational population estimates (TA, SA2), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023. (territorial authorities); "Subnational population estimates (urban rural), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023. (urban areas)
  3. ^ Hatvany, M, "Environmental Failure, Success and Sustainable Development: The Hauraki Plains Wetlands Through Four Generations of New Zealanders," Environment and History, 14 (2008): 469–95.
  4. ^ a b "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. 7010828, 7010829 and 7010830.
  5. ^ "Population estimate tables - NZ.Stat". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  6. ^ a b "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Hauraki Plains East (168800). 2018 Census place summary: Hauraki Plains East
  7. ^ "Ministry of Education School Profile". educationcounts.govt.nz. Ministry of Education.
  8. ^ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  9. ^ "Education Review Office Report". ero.govt.nz. Education Review Office.