Maheno, New Zealand

Maheno
Rural settlement
Maheno war memorial
Coordinates: 45°10′S 170°50′E / 45.167°S 170.833°E / -45.167; 170.833Coordinates: 45°10′S 170°50′E / 45.167°S 170.833°E / -45.167; 170.833
Country	New Zealand
Region	Otago
Territorial authority	Waitaki District
Ward	Corriedale Ward
Government
• Local authority	Waitaki District Council
• Regional council	Otago Regional Council
Area [1]
• Total	0.56 km2 (0.22 sq mi)
Population  (2018 Census)[2]
• Total	126
• Density	230/km2 (580/sq mi)
Local iwi	Ngāi Tahu

Maheno is a small North Otago township south of Oamaru in New Zealand. The area has 75 residents. A number of the town's streets are named after places in Tyne and Wear, England, such as Whickham, Felling, Heworth and Jarrow.

Demographics[]

Maheno is described as a rural settlement by Statistics New Zealand, and covers 0.56 km² (0.22 sq mi).^[1] It is part of a larger statistical area also called Maheno.

Maheno settlement had a population of 126 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 18 people (16.7%) since the 2013 census, and a decrease of 18 people (-12.5%) since the 2006 census. There were 54 households. There were 66 males and 60 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.1 males per female. The median age was 54.7 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 12 people (9.5%) aged under 15 years, 21 (16.7%) aged 15 to 29, 63 (50.0%) aged 30 to 64, and 30 (23.8%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 92.9% European/Pākehā, 7.1% Māori, and 2.4% other ethnicities (totals add to more than 100% since people could identify with multiple ethnicities).

Although some people objected to giving their religion, 52.4% had no religion, and 35.7% were Christian.

Of those at least 15 years old, 9 (7.9%) people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 33 (28.9%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $22,200, compared with $31,800 nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 51 (44.7%) people were employed full-time, 21 (18.4%) were part-time, and 3 (2.6%) were unemployed.^[2]

Maheno statistical area[]

Maheno statistical area, which also includes Kakanui and Herbert, covers 262.41 km² (101.32 sq mi)^[1] and had an estimated population of 2,100 as of June 2021,^[3] with a population density of 8 people per km².

Maheno had a population of 1,968 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 150 people (8.3%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 93 people (5.0%) since the 2006 census. There were 789 households. There were 984 males and 984 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.0 males per female. The median age was 49.8 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 342 people (17.4%) aged under 15 years, 216 (11.0%) aged 15 to 29, 978 (49.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 426 (21.6%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 94.4% European/Pākehā, 6.6% Māori, 0.9% Pacific peoples, 2.7% Asian, and 1.4% other ethnicities (totals add to more than 100% since people could identify with multiple ethnicities).

The proportion of people born overseas was 11.6%, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people objected to giving their religion, 53.7% had no religion, 37.3% were Christian, 0.2% were Muslim, 0.5% were Buddhist and 1.5% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 276 (17.0%) people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 369 (22.7%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $27,800, compared with $31,800 nationally. 231 people (14.2%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 786 (48.3%) people were employed full-time, 288 (17.7%) were part-time, and 33 (2.0%) were unemployed.^[4]

Maheno School[]

St Andrew's Church in Maheno

Maheno School is a full primary which caters for years 1 to 8^[5] with a roll of 54 as of November 2021.^[6]

Maheno School opened on 11 October 1875,^[7] to the delight of many local parents. Peter Williams donated the valuable site in the centre of the town, while £150 had been locally subscribed to add to the £325 granted by the Government.^[7] The architect was Thomas Forrester,^[8][9] and Robert Peattie became the first teacher from 14 applicants.^[7]

On the opening day fifty children were enrolled,^[7] and by mid-1876 the school roll stood at 72 pupils.

The school went through numerous improvements starting with an additional classroom in 1883. By 1907 the school needed a third classroom to cope with a growing roll.

• 1946 - The main block of the new school was built
• 1957 - The school swimming pool was built
• 1960 - The infant block was built
• 1963 - The school dental clinic opened
• 2013 - Work started on new main office and library refit

In 2013 principal Murray Nelson retired after 21 years heading the school.

St Andrew's Maheno[]

St Andrew's Church in Maheno is part of the Anglican Parish of Oamaru-Maheno. Services are held every Sunday at 9am, apart from in January.

Maheno Rugby[]

Home ground[]

The Maheno Rugby Football Club play their home games at the Maheno Domain. The Maheno domain is situated along Kakanui Valley road, in Maheno.

Notable players[]

• Jeffrey David Matheson. A prop, Matheson represented Otago and North Otago at a provincial level, and was a member of the New Zealand national side, the All Blacks, in 1972.[1] He played 13 matches for the All Blacks including five internationals. He later played and coached for Maheno and coached North Otago between 1977 and 1980 and was a technical advisor to the Sri Lankan national team from 1990 to 1994.[2]
• Bernie Pringle (Long serving North Otago player & was a Hannah Shield representative player vs British & Irish Lions in 1977)
• Ross Hay (Long serving North Otago player, 2007 Heartland XV member
• Fepikau Tatafu (Former North Otago player, former Tongan rugby member.
• Lindsay Smith (Long serving North Otago player, 1982 to 1990
• Robbie Smith St Kevin's College First XV (2005-07); South Island secondary schools (2007), North Otago (2013).

References[]

External links[]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Maheno, New Zealand.

• Maheno School
• St Andrew's Maheno
• Maheno Tavern