Pongakawa | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Coordinates:37°50′12″S176°28′35″E / 37.836741°S 176.476480°E /-37.836741; 176.476480 | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Bay of Plenty |
| Territorial authority | Western Bay of Plenty |
| Ward | Maketu-Te Puke |
| Community | Maketu Community |
| Electorates | |
| Government | |
| • Territorial authority | Western Bay of Plenty District Council |
| • Regional council | Bay of Plenty Regional Council |
| Elevation | 27 m (89 ft) |
| Time zone | UTC+12 (NZST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+13 (NZDT) |
| Postcode | 3189 |
| Area code | 07 |
Pongakawa is a rural community in theBay of Plenty ofNew Zealand'sNorth Island.[2]State Highway 2 runs through it.
The name of the settlement comes fromMāori terms meaning "Bitter ferns".[3]
Pongakawa statistical area, which also includesPaengaroa, 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.
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 2,700 | — |
| 2013 | 2,673 | −0.14% |
| 2018 | 3,081 | +2.88% |
| Source:[5] | ||
Pongakawa had a population of 3,081 at the2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 408 people (15.3%) since the2013 census, and an increase of 381 people (14.1%) since the2006 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% wereChristian, 1.9% hadMāori religious beliefs, 0.8% wereHindu, 0.2% wereMuslim, 0.4% wereBuddhist 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]
The local Tokerau Marae and Pikiao meeting house are a traditional meeting ground of theNgāti Pikiao tribe.[6][7]
Pongakawa School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students,[8] with a roll of 318 as of November 2024.[9]