South Waikato District

South Waikato District is a local government district in the Waikato Region of the North Island of New Zealand. It is located between the cities of Hamilton to the north, Rotorua to the east, Taupo to the south and Ruapehu District to the west.

South Waikato District
Territorial authority district
Tokoroa
Tokoroa
Coordinates: 38°09′58″S 175°51′54″E
CountryNew Zealand
RegionWaikato
WardsTirau
Putaruru
Tokoroa
SeatTokoroa
Government
 • MayorJenny Shattock
 • Deputy MayorBill Machen
 • Territorial authoritySouth Waikato District Council
Area
[1]
 • Land1,818.88 km2 (702.27 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2023)[2]
 • Total26,000
Time zoneUTC+12 (NZST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+13 (NZDT)
Postcode(s)
Map of postcodes
WebsiteSouth Waikato District Council

The seat of the South Waikato District Council is at Tokoroa, the biggest town. The other main towns are Putaruru, Tirau and Arapuni.

Populated places

South Waikato District consists of the following towns, localities, settlements and communities:

1 - partly shared with Rotorua Lakes

Demographics

The district's population in June 2023 was 26,000,[2] of whom 55.8% lived in Tokoroa. Putaruru's population was 4,600. The region's population decreased markedly during the 1990s, dropping over 4000 since the 1991 census.

Amo of a meeting house in Ngatira

Ngāti Raukawa[3] is the Maori tribe of the area and goes back 20–25 generations. There are 32 marae in the district, Papa te Aroha marae (Catholic Community), Aotearoa marae, Pikitu marae (Nga-Huri), Pōhara marae (Ngati Koroki), Whakaaratamaiti marae (Ngati Mahana), Mangakaretu marae (Ngati Ahuru), Ngatira marae (Ngati Ahuru), Tarukenga marae (Ngati Te-Ngakau), Mokai marae (Ngati Te Kohera), Ongaroto marae (Ngati Whaita), Paparamu marae (Ngati Te Apunga), Te Ruapeka marae (Ngati Tukorehe), among others

South Waikato District covers 1,818.88 km2 (702.27 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 26,000 as of June 2023,[2] with a population density of 14.3 people per km2.

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
200622,641—    
201322,071−0.36%
201824,042+1.73%
Source: [4]

South Waikato District had a population of 24,042 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 1,971 people (8.9%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 1,401 people (6.2%) since the 2006 census. There were 8,511 households, comprising 11,982 males and 12,060 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.99 males per female. The median age was 37.9 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 5,526 people (23.0%) aged under 15 years, 4,479 (18.6%) aged 15 to 29, 10,077 (41.9%) aged 30 to 64, and 3,963 (16.5%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 68.7% European/Pākehā, 35.3% Māori, 12.8% 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 13.5, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 50.7% had no religion, 35.2% were Christian, 3.0% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.6% were Hindu, 0.3% were Muslim, 0.4% were Buddhist and 1.6% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 1,722 (9.3%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 5,100 (27.5%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $24,900, compared with $31,800 nationally. 2,238 people (12.1%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 8,259 (44.6%) people were employed full-time, 2,541 (13.7%) were part-time, and 1,164 (6.3%) were unemployed.[4]

Individual wards
NameArea (km2)PopulationDensity (per km2)HouseholdsMedian ageMedian income
Tirau Ward293.102,3347.9687036.7 years$36,800
Putaruru Ward562.616,68711.892,46640.8 years$26,700
Tokoroa Ward963.1715,02115.605,17836.7 years$23,300
New Zealand37.4 years$31,800

Economy

The district's main industries are forestry and timber production, however land previously in plantation forest is increasingly being converted to dairy production. Several hydroelectric projects are located at the district's western edge.

Bent St. Skate Park

One of South Waikato District's most prominent features is the historical skate-bowl park. It was built in the 1980s, as one of the first skate parks in the country, and was recently chosen for a major refurbishment project. This community-led project is set to receive $550,000 from the South Waikato District Council in order to facilitate its upgrade. Intended upgrades include additional skating features, court area, and seating area. [5]

References
  1. "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
  2. "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. "Ngāti Raukawa Archived 2007-03-28 at the Wayback Machine". Te Ara.
  4. "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. South Waikato District (019). 2018 Census place summary: South Waikato District
  5. "South Waikato town's historic skate bowl set for major upgrade". Stuff. 2021-05-24. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
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