Kihikihi | |
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.JPG) Kihikihi Town Hall (c.1904) | |
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| Coordinates:38°2′S175°21′E / 38.033°S 175.350°E /-38.033; 175.350 | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Waikato |
| District | Waipa District |
| Ward | Te Awamutu Ward |
| Community | Te Awamutu Community |
| Electorates | |
| Government | |
| • Territorial Authority | Waipa District Council |
| • Regional council | Waikato Regional Council |
| Area | |
• Total | 8.80 km2 (3.40 sq mi) |
| Population (June 2024)[2] | |
• Total | 3,620 |
| • Density | 410/km2 (1,100/sq mi) |
Kihikihi, a small town located in theWaikato region of theNorth Island ofNew Zealand, serves as a satellite community ofTe Awamutu, five kilometres to the north, and lies 35 kilometres south ofHamilton. The 2018 New Zealand census recorded a population of 2,808 people[3] The main reason for the large increase since 2013 is the construction of a large number of new dwellings.
The town's outer rim has merged with the expanding rim of Te Awamutu, rendering the boundary between the two towns difficult to perceive.
Kihikihi is aMāori-language word meaning "cicada"; the name imitates the sound made by the insect.[4]A large statue of a cicada stands at the northern entrance to the town.
Kihikihi's multi-purpose sports domain hosts national and international equestrian events such as theFEI Eventing World Cup.
The town is also home to the historicKihikihi Polo Club, founded in 1892 by the Kay family.[5]
Kihikihi in the 19th century was described as a "border settlement" or a "frontier town" byJames Cowan, ruined in the 1880s by the "Great Wet Peace" with the partition of the King Country and land-buying from Māori .[6]
Kihikihi covers 8.80 km2 (3.40 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 3,620 as of June 2024,[2] with a population density of 411 people per km2.
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 2,361 | — |
| 2013 | 2,472 | +0.66% |
| 2018 | 2,808 | +2.58% |
| Source:[3] | ||
.JPG)
Before the 2023 census, the town had a larger boundary, covering 10.09 km2 (3.90 sq mi).[1] Using that boundary, Kihikihi had a population of 2,808 at the2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 336 people (13.6%) since the2013 census, and an increase of 447 people (18.9%) since the2006 census. There were 999 households, comprising 1,389 males and 1,422 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.98 males per female, with 585 people (20.8%) aged under 15 years, 531 (18.9%) aged 15 to 29, 1,260 (44.9%) aged 30 to 64, and 432 (15.4%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 78.8% European/Pākehā, 29.8%Māori, 2.5%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 13.4, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 52.6% had no religion, 32.4% wereChristian, 2.6% hadMāori religious beliefs, 0.7% wereHindu, 0.5% wereBuddhist and 1.7% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 273 (12.3%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 555 (25.0%) people had no formal qualifications. 315 people (14.2%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 1,170 (52.6%) people were employed full-time, 300 (13.5%) were part-time, and 96 (4.3%) were unemployed.[3]
| Name | Area (km2) | Population | Density (per km2) | Households | Median age | Median income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Leger | 7.85 | 489 | 62 | 180 | 46.8 years | $39,600[7] |
| Kihikihi Central | 2.24 | 2,319 | 1,035 | 819 | 37.5 years | $29,400[8] |
| New Zealand | 37.4 years | $31,800 |
John Rochford (1832–1893)[9] died in the Star Hotel and is buried in the Kihikihi Cemetery near the Kihikihi Primary school. He was one of the first to survey the routes of today's railways in both the North and South Islands. A reserve in Kihikhi commemorates the name of John Rochford.
Rewi Maniapoto (1807–1894) lived in Kihikihi, on the site of the Rewi Maniapoto Reserve and the memorial. Kihikihi stood at the core of the productive farm-lands that Maori developed in the 1850s with the help ofCMS missionaries. The district supplied food to new settlers inAuckland for a brief period. The area became the heartland of anti-government Maori in 1863, during theNew Zealand Wars.
20 archaeological sites have been identified in the town,[10] 9 of which are listed byHeritage New Zealand -
Under theReserves Act 1977, a management plan for some of the historic area was drawn up forWaipa District Council.[20]
Kihikihi School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students,[21] with a roll of 210 as of November 2024[22] Kihikihi is a dual medium Kura, meaning there is an Aoraki stream taught in English, and a Rumaki stream taught entirely in Te Reo Māori. It opened in 1873, and moved to its current site in 1884. It was destroyed by fire in 1938, and rebuilt in 1952.[23]
Kihikihi is onSH3. Aninfrequent bus service operated byGoBus links it to Te Awamutu and Hamilton.[24] The Kihikihi Trail cycleway to Te Awamutu[25] opened in 2017.[26]
Kihikihi Speedway is amotorcycle speedway venue located on Grey Street.[27] The track races various types of cars, such as stock cars, superstocks, midgets, sprint cars, sidecars and saloons, in addition tomotorcycle speedway.[28][29] and has been a significant venue for important motorcycle speedway events, including qualifying rounds of theSpeedway World Championship[30][31] and finals of theNew Zealand Solo Championship.[32]
Lit. cicada or tree-locust (Amphipsalta cingulata), a name that imitates its strident song.
Neighbouring areas | |
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