South Waikato District

South Waikato District
Territorial authority
Country	New Zealand
Region	Waikato
District	South Waikato District
Wards	Tīrau Putāruru Tokoroa
Seat	Tokoroa
Government
• Mayor	Jenny Shattock
• Deputy Mayor	Bill Machen
Area
• Total	1,816.96 km2 (701.53 sq mi)
Population  (June 2021)[1]
• Total	25,500
• Density	14/km2 (36/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+12 (NZST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+13 (NZDT)
Postcode(s)	Map of postcodes
Website	South Waikato District Council

South Waikato District is a local government district in the Waikato Region of the North Island of New Zealand. It is located between the cities of Hamilton to the north, Rotorua to the east, Taupō to the south and Ruapehu District to the west.

The seat of the South Waikato District Council is at Tokoroa, the biggest town. The other main towns are Putāruru, Tīrau and Arapuni.

Population[]

The district's population in June 2021 was 25,500,^[1] of whom 56.1% lived in Tokoroa. Putāruru's population was 4,580. The region's population decreased markedly during the 1990s, dropping over 4000 since the 1991 census.

Amo.at a.meeting house in Ngatira

Ngāti Raukawa^[2] is the Maori tribe of the area and goes back 20–25 generations. There are 32 marae in the district, Papa te Aroha marae (Catholic Community), Aotearoa marae, Pikitu marae (Nga-Huri), Pōhara marae (Ngati Koroki), Whakaaratamaiti marae (Ngati Mahana), Mangakaretu marae (Ngati Ahuru), Ngatira marae (Ngati Ahuru), Tarukenga marae (Ngati Te-Ngakau), Mokai marae (Ngati Te Kohera), Ongaroto marae (Ngati Whaita), Paparamu marae (Ngati Te Apunga), Te Ruapeka marae (Ngati Tukorehe), among others

Populated places[]

South Waikato District consists of the following towns, localities, settlements and communities:

¹ - partly shared with Rotorua Lakes

Demographics[]

South Waikato District had a population of 24,042 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 1,971 people (8.9%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 1,401 people (6.2%) since the 2006 census. There were 8,511 households. There were 11,982 males and 12,060 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.99 males per female. Of the total population, 5,526 people (23.0%) were aged up to 15 years, 4,479 (18.6%) were 15 to 29, 10,077 (41.9%) were 30 to 64, and 3,963 (16.5%) were 65 or older. Figures may not add up to the total due to rounding.

Ethnicities were 68.7% European/Pākehā, 35.3% Māori, 12.8% Pacific peoples, 4.2% Asian, and 1.5% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 13.5, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people objected to giving their religion, 50.7% had no religion, 35.2% were Christian, and 5.9% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 1,722 (9.3%) people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 5,100 (27.5%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $24,900. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 8,259 (44.6%) people were employed full-time, 2,541 (13.7%) were part-time, and 1,164 (6.3%) were unemployed.^[3]

Economy[]

The district's main industries are forestry and timber production, however land previously in plantation forest is increasingly being converted to dairy production. Several hydroelectric projects are located at the district's western edge.

Bent St. Skate Park[]

One of South Waikato District's most prominent features is it historical skate-bowl park. It was built in the 1980's, as one of the first skate parks in the country, and was recently chosen for a major refurbishment project. This community-led project is set to receive $550,000 from the South Waikato District Council in order to facilitate its upgrade. Intended upgrades include additional skating features, court area, and seating area. ^[4]

References[]

External links[]

• Council website

Coordinates: 38°09′58″S 175°51′54″E / 38.166°S 175.865°E / -38.166; 175.865