Muhunoa East
Muhunoa East | |
|---|---|
Rural locality | |
Interactive map of Muhunoa East | |
| Coordinates: 40°40′44″S 175°17′56″E / 40.679°S 175.299°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Manawatū-Whanganui region |
| Territorial authority | Horowhenua District |
| Wards |
|
| Electorates | |
| Government | |
| • Territorial Authority | Horowhenua District Council |
| • Regional council | Horizons Regional Council |
| • Horowhenua Mayor | Bernie Wanden[1] |
| • Ōtaki MP | Tim Costley[2] |
| • Te Tai Hauāuru MP | Debbie Ngarewa-Packer[3] |
| Area | |
• Total | 64.13 km2 (24.76 sq mi) |
| Population (2023 Census)[5] | |
• Total | 126 |
| • Density | 1.96/km2 (5.09/sq mi) |
Muhunoa East is a rural locality in the Horowhenua District of the Manawatū-Whanganui region of New Zealand's North Island. It is located on the western side of the Tararua Range between the Ōhau River to the north and the Makorokio Stream to the south.[6]
Demographics
Muhunoa East locality covers 64.13 km2 (24.76 sq mi).[4] It is part of the larger Kimberley statistical area.[7]
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 84 | — |
| 2013 | 96 | +1.93% |
| 2018 | 96 | +0.00% |
| 2023 | 126 | +5.59% |
| Source: [5][8] | ||
Muhunua East had a population of 126 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 30 people (31.2%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 30 people (31.2%) since the 2013 census. There were 63 males, 60 females, and 3 people of other genders in 45 dwellings.[9] 2.4% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 40.4 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 30 people (23.8%) aged under 15 years, 18 (14.3%) aged 15 to 29, 57 (45.2%) aged 30 to 64, and 24 (19.0%) aged 65 or older.[5]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 88.1% European (Pākehā); 11.9% Māori; 2.4% Asian; 2.4% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 4.8% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 92.9%, Māori by 2.4%, and other languages by 7.1%. No language could be spoken by 4.8% (e.g. too young to talk). The percentage of people born overseas was 11.9, compared with 28.8% nationally.[5]
The sole religious affiliation given was 23.8% Christian. People who answered that they had no religion were 61.9%, and 14.3% of people did not answer the census question.[5]
Of those at least 15 years old, 18 (18.8%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 57 (59.4%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 24 (25.0%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $39,800, compared with $41,500 nationally. 9 people (9.4%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 51 (53.1%) full-time, 15 (15.6%) part-time, and 3 (3.1%) unemployed.[5]
Kimberley statistical area
Kimberley statistical area covers 129.37 km2 (49.95 sq mi) from Muhunoa East south to the border of Horowhenua and the Kāpiti Coast District.[10] It had an estimated population of 520 as of June 2025, with a population density of 4.02 people per km2.
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 306 | — |
| 2013 | 399 | +3.86% |
| 2018 | 447 | +2.30% |
| 2023 | 489 | +1.81% |
| Source: [11][12] | ||
Kimberley had a population of 489 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 42 people (9.4%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 90 people (22.6%) since the 2013 census. There were 252 males, 237 females, and 3 people of other genders in 183 dwellings.[13] 3.1% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 43.5 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 102 people (20.9%) aged under 15 years, 66 (13.5%) aged 15 to 29, 225 (46.0%) aged 30 to 64, and 96 (19.6%) aged 65 or older.[11]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 87.1% European (Pākehā); 17.2% Māori; 1.2% Pasifika; 0.6% Asian; 1.2% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 5.5% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 96.9%, Māori by 5.5%, Samoan by 0.6%, and other languages by 5.5%. No language could be spoken by 2.5% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 1.2%. The percentage of people born overseas was 14.1, compared with 28.8% nationally.[11]
Religious affiliations were 21.5% Christian, 1.2% Māori religious beliefs, 0.6% New Age, and 1.2% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 65.6%, and 9.2% of people did not answer the census question.[11]
Of those at least 15 years old, 75 (19.4%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 249 (64.3%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 72 (18.6%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $34,800, compared with $41,500 nationally. 48 people (12.4%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 186 (48.1%) full-time, 63 (16.3%) part-time, and 9 (2.3%) unemployed.[11]
Education
Muhunoa East School first opened in 1904 in temporary premises as a "side school" to relieve overcrowding at Ohau School. It catered for students up to standard II (now Year 4, about 8 years old). It moved to a permanent building in 1908 and expanded to cover up to standard IV (Year 6). It closed in 1922 due to a falling roll, but reopened in 1926,[14] and continued until January 2006.[15] The school building was destroyed by fire in a suspected arson in 2011.[16]
References
- ^ "2025 Triennial Elections Declaration of Result" (PDF). Electionz. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
- ^ "Ōtaki – Official Result". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
- ^ "Te Tai Hauāuru - Official Result". Retrieved 20 April 2025.
- ^ a b "Stats NZ Geographic Data Service". Urban Rural 2023 (generalised). Retrieved 7 January 2026.
- ^ a b c d e f "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. 7019124. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ^ Muhunoa East, Manawatu-Wanganui (Map).
- ^ "Geographic Boundary Viewer". Stats NZ. Statistical Area 1 – 2023 and Statistical Area 2 – 2023.
- ^ "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. 7019124.
- ^ "Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ^ "Stats NZ Geographic Data Service". Statistical Area 2 2023 (generalised). Retrieved 7 January 2026.
- ^ a b c d e "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Kimberley (236100). Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ^ "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Kimberley (236100). 2018 Census place summary: Kimberley
- ^ "Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ^ Rolston, Mr. W.H. (1968). "Muhunoa East School". History of Muhunoa East.
- ^ "Muhunoa East School (2919) Closure Notice". New Zealand Gazette. 8 December 2005.
- ^ Maxwell, Joel (20 June 2011). "Arson suspected in school fire". Horowhenua Mail.