Matapu

Matapu
Interactive map of Matapu
Coordinates: 39°28′47″S 174°13′38″E / 39.47972°S 174.22722°E / -39.47972; 174.22722
CountryNew Zealand
RegionTaranaki
DistrictSouth Taranaki District
Ward
  • Eltham-Kaponga General Ward
  • Te Kūrae Māori Ward
CommunityEltham-Kaponga Community
Electorates
Government
 • Territorial AuthoritySouth Taranaki District Council
 • Regional councilTaranaki Regional Council
 • Mayor of South TaranakiPhil Nixon[1]
 • Whanganui MPCarl Bates[2]
 • Te Tai Hauāuru MPDebbie Ngarewa-Packer[3]
Area
 • Total
21.28 km2 (8.22 sq mi)
Population
 (2023 census)[4]
 • Total
120
 • Density5.6/km2 (15/sq mi)

Matapu is a locality located in South Taranaki District within the southern Taranaki Region of New Zealand. Hāwera is to the south-east, Eltham to the north-east, Kaponga to the north-west and Manaia to the south-west.[6][7]

Demographics

Matapu locality covers 21.28 km2 (8.22 sq mi).[5] The locality is part of the larger Okaiawa statistical area.[8]

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
2006147—    
2013120−2.86%
2018120+0.00%
2023120+0.00%
Source: [4][9]

Matapu had a population of 120 in the 2023 New Zealand census, unchanged since the 2018 census, and unchanged since the 2013 census. There were 63 males and 57 females in 39 dwellings.[10] 2.5% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 32.2 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 36 people (30.0%) aged under 15 years, 24 (20.0%) aged 15 to 29, 48 (40.0%) aged 30 to 64, and 15 (12.5%) aged 65 or older.[4]

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 77.5% European (Pākehā), 37.5% Māori, and 5.0% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 95.0%, Māori by 10.0%, and other languages by 5.0%. No language could be spoken by 5.0% (e.g. too young to talk). The percentage of people born overseas was 5.0, compared with 28.8% nationally.[4]

Religious affiliations were 22.5% Christian, 5.0% Hindu, and 5.0% Māori religious beliefs. People who answered that they had no religion were 55.0%, and 12.5% of people did not answer the census question.[4]

Of those at least 15 years old, 6 (7.1%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 48 (57.1%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 33 (39.3%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $40,600, compared with $41,500 nationally. 6 people (7.1%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 48 (57.1%) full-time and 12 (14.3%) part-time.[4]

Marae

Matapu has three marae, associated with Ngāruahine hapū.

In October 2020, the Government committed $1,259,392 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade Aotearoa Marae and 7 other Ngāti Raukawa marae, creating 18 jobs.[13]

Education

Matapu School is a coeducational full primary (years 1–8) school with a decile rating of 7 and a roll of 75.[14] In 2005, Okaiawa and Mangatoki Schools closed and merged with Matapu School.[15]

Notes

  1. ^ "Declaration of Results of Election and Poll" (PDF). South Taranaki District Council. 17 October 2025.
  2. ^ "Whanganui - Official Result". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
  3. ^ "Te Tai Hauāuru - Official Result". Retrieved 20 April 2025.
  4. ^ 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. 7017448. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Stats NZ Geographic Data Service". Statistical Area 1 2023 (generalised). Retrieved 30 October 2025.
  6. ^ Peter Dowling, ed. (2004). Reed New Zealand Atlas. Reed Books. pp. map 34. ISBN 0-7900-0952-8.
  7. ^ Roger Smith, GeographX (2005). The Geographic Atlas of New Zealand. Robbie Burton. pp. map 97. ISBN 1-877333-20-4.
  8. ^ "Geographic Boundary Viewer". Stats NZ. Statistical Area 1 – 2023 and Statistical Area 2 – 2023.
  9. ^ "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. 7017448.
  10. ^ "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.
  11. ^ a b c "Te Kāhui Māngai directory". tkm.govt.nz. Te Puni Kōkiri.
  12. ^ a b c "Māori Maps". maorimaps.com. Te Potiki National Trust.
  13. ^ "Marae Announcements" (Excel). growregions.govt.nz. Provincial Growth Fund. 9 October 2020.
  14. ^ "Te Kete Ipurangi - Matapu School". Ministry of Education. Archived from the original on 9 April 2006. Retrieved 26 June 2008.
  15. ^ "Mergers, Closures and New Schools, January 2005 - December 2005". Education Counts. Archived from the original (XLS) on 15 October 2008. Retrieved 26 June 2008.