Glen Afton | |
|---|---|
Township | |
 Glen Afton sign | |
 | |
| Coordinates:37°37′S175°02′E / 37.617°S 175.033°E /-37.617; 175.033 | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Waikato |
| District | Waikato District |
| Ward |
|
| Electorates |
|
| Government | |
| • Territorial Authority | Waikato District Council |
| • Regional council | Waikato Regional Council |
| • Mayor of Waikato | Jacqui Church[1] |
| • Waikato MP | Tim van de Molen[2] |
| • Hauraki-Waikato MP | Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke[3] |
| Area | |
• Total | 12.57 km2 (4.85 sq mi) |
| Population (2023 census)[5] | |
• Total | 129 |
| • Density | 10/km2 (27/sq mi) |
| Postcode(s) | 3771 |
Glen Afton andPukemiro are twin settlements in theWaikato District, in northernWaikato region of New Zealand'sNorth Island. The nearest town isHuntly, some 14 km (9 mi) away.[6]
The settlements were previously an important coal-mining centre, but only one large and one small open-cast coal mine still operates in the area. There was a mining disaster at Glen Afton on 24 September 1939: 11 men were asphyxiated by carbon monoxide.[7]
TheBush Railway runs the Pukemiro Line Heritage Railway, which was formerly theGlen Afton Branch until 1977. The Country Music Club meets at the Bush Tramway Club club rooms.[8]
Puke Coal operates near the Bush Tramway and has consent to produce up to 180,000 tonnes of coal a year, though actual production was described as "relatively modest" in 2014. The mine isopen cast, recovering coal left by previous mining.[9]
The mine is privately owned, so there are no permits and no public record of production.[10] The company was formed in 2011 and employs 25 staff in its mining and landfill work.[11]
Glen Afton locality covers 12.57 km2 (4.85 sq mi).[4] It is part of the largerHuntly Rural statistical area.[12]
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 111 | — |
| 2013 | 102 | −1.20% |
| 2018 | 114 | +2.25% |
| 2023 | 129 | +2.50% |
| Source:[5][13] | ||
Glen Afton had a population of 129 in the2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 15 people (13.2%) since the2018 census, and an increase of 27 people (26.5%) since the2013 census. There were 69 males and 60 females in 48 dwellings.[14] 2.3% of people identified asLGBTIQ+. The median age was 39.4 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 33 people (25.6%) aged under 15 years, 15 (11.6%) aged 15 to 29, 60 (46.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 21 (16.3%) aged 65 or older.[5]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 83.7%European (Pākehā); 37.2%Māori; 4.7%Pasifika; 2.3% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 4.7% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 97.7%, Māori language by 7.0%, and other languages by 4.7%. No language could be spoken by 2.3% (e.g. too young to talk). The percentage of people born overseas was 4.7, compared with 28.8% nationally.[5]
Religious affiliations were 18.6%Christian, 4.7%Māori religious beliefs, 2.3%Buddhist, 4.7%New Age, and 2.3% other religions. People who answered that they hadno religion were 67.4%, and 4.7% of people did not answer the census question.[5]
Of those at least 15 years old, 9 (9.4%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 54 (56.2%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 33 (34.4%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $29,800, compared with $41,500 nationally. 6 people (6.2%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 39 (40.6%) people were employed full-time, 12 (12.5%) were part-time, and 3 (3.1%) were unemployed.[5]
Pukemiro covers 0.16 km2 (0.062 sq mi).[4] It is part of the largerHuntly Rural statistical area.[12]
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 144 | — |
| 2013 | 126 | −1.89% |
| 2018 | 135 | +1.39% |
| 2023 | 141 | +0.87% |
| Source:[15][16] | ||
Pukemiro had a population of 141 in the2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 6 people (4.4%) since the2018 census, and an increase of 15 people (11.9%) since the2013 census. There were 81 males, 57 females and 3 people ofother genders in 66 dwellings.[17] 4.3% of people identified asLGBTIQ+. The median age was 48.3 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 27 people (19.1%) aged under 15 years, 9 (6.4%) aged 15 to 29, 81 (57.4%) aged 30 to 64, and 24 (17.0%) aged 65 or older.[15]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 74.5%European (Pākehā), 36.2%Māori, 4.3%Pasifika, and 2.1%Asian. English was spoken by 97.9%, Māori language by 10.6%, and other languages by 4.3%. The percentage of people born overseas was 12.8, compared with 28.8% nationally.[15]
Religious affiliations were 17.0%Christian, and 2.1% other religions. People who answered that they hadno religion were 70.2%, and 8.5% of people did not answer the census question.[15]
Of those at least 15 years old, 9 (7.9%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 54 (47.4%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 48 (42.1%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $27,500, compared with $41,500 nationally. 3 people (2.6%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 42 (36.8%) people were employed full-time, 12 (10.5%) were part-time, and 6 (5.3%) were unemployed.[15]
Pukemiro School opened in 1905 and reached a peak roll of over 120 students. It closed in 2021.[18]