Awakeri

Awakeri is a village located southwest of Whakatane in the Bay of Plenty region of New Zealand's North Island. It is located in a farming and fruit-growing area, has basic amenities and a primary school for students aged 5 to 13, and is best known for nearby hot springs.

Awakeri
Locality
Coordinates: 38°00′S 176°54′E
CountryNew Zealand
RegionBay of Plenty
Territorial authorityWhakatāne District
WardRangitāiki General Ward
CommunityRangitāiki Community
Electorates
Government
 • Territorial authorityWhakatāne District Council
 • Regional councilBay of Plenty Regional Council
Area
[1]
 • Total9.22 km2 (3.56 sq mi)
Population
 (2018 Census)[2]
 • Total291
 • Density32/km2 (82/sq mi)

Awakeri is located at the junction of State Highways 2 and 30 on the route of SH 2 from Edgecumbe to Taneatua and the route of SH 30 from Whakatane to Te Teko, and the two highways run together briefly through the village.

The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "ditch" or "trench" for Awakeri.[3]

The Taneatua Branch railway line also passes through the town, it was disused, however a tourist rail operator has recently leased a section of the branch line from KiwiRail and is opening a rail cart operation. Passenger train services ran through Awakeri and were provided by the Taneatua Express train from 1928 until 7 February 1959, when the steam-hauled carriage train was replaced by an 88-seater railcar service that terminated before Awakeri, in Te Puke. A private railway operated by the CHH Whakatane Mill used to run from Awakeri station to the mill at Whakatane. The line (now closed and lifted) used to run alongside State Highway 30, including along the front of the petrol station forecourt at Awakeri.

Demographics

Awakeri is in two SA1 statistical areas which cover 9.22 km2 (3.56 sq mi).[1] The SA1 areas are part of the Thornton-Awakeri statistical area.

Historical population for Awakeri and surrounds
YearPop.±% p.a.
2006267—    
2013279+0.63%
2018291+0.85%
Source: [2]
Droving sheep near Awakeri, 1924

The SA1 areas had a population of 291 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 12 people (4.3%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 24 people (9.0%) since the 2006 census. There were 96 households, comprising 153 males and 135 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.13 males per female, with 72 people (24.7%) aged under 15 years, 42 (14.4%) aged 15 to 29, 132 (45.4%) aged 30 to 64, and 42 (14.4%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 87.6% European/Pākehā, 22.7% Māori, 2.1% Pacific peoples, 6.2% Asian, and 1.0% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 60.8% had no religion, 28.9% were Christian, 1.0% had Māori religious beliefs and 3.1% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 18 (8.2%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 45 (20.5%) people had no formal qualifications. 42 people (19.2%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 111 (50.7%) people were employed full-time, 45 (20.5%) were part-time, and 6 (2.7%) were unemployed.[2]

Thornton-Awakeri statistical area

Thornton-Awakeri statistical area, which also includes Thornton, covers 151.76 km2 (58.59 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 2,540 as of June 2023,[4] with a population density of 17 people per km2.

Historical population for Thornton-Awakeri
YearPop.±% p.a.
20062,016—    
20132,115+0.69%
20182,289+1.59%
Source: [5]

Thornton-Awakeri had a population of 2,289 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 174 people (8.2%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 273 people (13.5%) since the 2006 census. There were 756 households, comprising 1,167 males and 1,122 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.04 males per female. The median age was 41.3 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 486 people (21.2%) aged under 15 years, 396 (17.3%) aged 15 to 29, 1,059 (46.3%) aged 30 to 64, and 348 (15.2%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 77.6% European/Pākehā, 34.2% Māori, 1.7% Pacific peoples, 1.6% Asian, and 0.9% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 8.7, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 56.6% had no religion, 29.9% were Christian, 4.8% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.1% were Buddhist and 1.2% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 237 (13.1%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 348 (19.3%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $34,200, compared with $31,800 nationally. 327 people (18.1%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 942 (52.2%) people were employed full-time, 312 (17.3%) were part-time, and 63 (3.5%) were unemployed.[5]

Climate

Awakeri has a temperate climate, with warm summers and mild winters. The town is sheltered from the prevailing westerly winds by the surrounding hills, which helps to create a microclimate in the area.[6]

Sports

The Awakeri Football Club is based at the school, with football the dominant sport.[7]

Education

Awakeri School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students,[8][9] with a roll of 304 as of April 2023.[10]

References
  1. "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  2. "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. 7015144 and 7015146.
  3. "1000 Māori place names". New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage. 6 August 2019.
  4. "Population estimate tables - NZ.Stat". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  5. "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Thornton-Awakeri (202300). 2018 Census place summary: Thornton-Awakeri
  6. "Awakeri: Exploring the Tranquil Charms of a Kiwi Town - New Zealand Govt".
  7. "Awakeri Football Club".
  8. "Awakeri School Official School Website". awakeri.school.freeservers.com.
  9. "Awakeri School Ministry of Education School Profile". educationcounts.govt.nz. Ministry of Education.
  10. "Awakeri School Education Review Office Report". ero.govt.nz. Education Review Office.
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