Pongakawa

Pongakawa
Map
Coordinates: 37°50′12″S 176°28′35″E / 37.836741°S 176.476480°E / -37.836741; 176.476480
CountryNew Zealand
RegionBay of Plenty
Territorial authorityWestern Bay of Plenty
WardMaketu-Te Puke
CommunityMaketu Community
Electorates
Government
 • Territorial authorityWestern Bay of Plenty District Council
 • Regional councilBay of Plenty Regional Council
Elevation
27 m (89 ft)
Time zoneUTC+12 (NZST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+13 (NZDT)
Postcode
3189
Area code07

Pongakawa is a rural community in the Bay of Plenty of New Zealand's North Island.[2] State Highway 2 runs through it.

The name of the settlement comes from Māori terms meaning "Bitter ferns".[3]

Demographics

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Pongakawa statistical area, which also includes Paengaroa, covers 389.03 km2 (150.21 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 3,750 as of June 2024,[4] with a population density of 9.6 people per km2.

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
20062,700—    
20132,673−0.14%
20183,081+2.88%
Source: [5]

Pongakawa had a population of 3,081 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 408 people (15.3%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 381 people (14.1%) since the 2006 census. There were 1,080 households, comprising 1,602 males and 1,476 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.09 males per female. The median age was 36.7 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 741 people (24.1%) aged under 15 years, 522 (16.9%) aged 15 to 29, 1,464 (47.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 354 (11.5%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 83.3% European/Pākehā, 23.4% Māori, 1.9% Pacific peoples, 4.3% Asian, and 2.4% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 11.4, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 57.4% had no religion, 28.0% were Christian, 1.9% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.8% were Hindu, 0.2% were Muslim, 0.4% were Buddhist and 3.6% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 270 (11.5%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 519 (22.2%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $36,700, compared with $31,800 nationally. 396 people (16.9%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 1,362 (58.2%) people were employed full-time, 399 (17.1%) were part-time, and 54 (2.3%) were unemployed.[5]

Marae

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The local Tokerau Marae and Pikiao meeting house are a traditional meeting ground of the Ngāti Pikiao tribe.[6][7]

Education

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Pongakawa School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students,[8] with a roll of 300 as of August 2024.[9]

References

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  1. ^ a b "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  2. ^ NZTA: Tauranga Eastern Link – Frequently Asked Questions
  3. ^ Reed, A.W. (1975). Place names of New Zealand. Wellington: A.H. & A.W. Reed. p. 333.
  4. ^ "Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Pongakawa (192500). 2018 Census place summary: Pongakawa
  6. ^ "Te Kāhui Māngai directory". tkm.govt.nz. Te Puni Kōkiri.
  7. ^ "Māori Maps". maorimaps.com. Te Potiki National Trust.
  8. ^ "Pongakawa School Ministry of Education School Profile". educationcounts.govt.nz. Ministry of Education.
  9. ^ "Pongakawa School Education Review Office Report". ero.govt.nz. Education Review Office.