Kai Iwi
Settlement in Manawatū-Whanganui, New Zealand
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kai Iwi is a rural community west of Whanganui in New Zealand's North Island. It lies close to SH 3, approximately halfway between Whanganui and Waitotara.
Kai Iwi | |
|---|---|
 Interactive map of Kai Iwi | |
| Coordinates: 39.885°S 174.901°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Manawatū-Whanganui |
| District | Whanganui District |
| Community | Whanganui Rural Community |
| Electorates | |
| Government | |
| • Territorial Authority | Whanganui District Council |
| • Regional council | Horizons Regional Council |
| • Mayor of Whanganui | Andrew Tripe[1] |
| • Whanganui MP | Carl Bates[2] |
| • Te Tai Hauāuru MP | Debbie Ngarewa-Packer[3] |
| Area | |
• Total | 0.88 km2 (0.34 sq mi) |
| Population (June 2025)[5] | |
• Total | 200 |
| • Density | 230/km2 (590/sq mi) |
Other than farming, the community's largest industry is its honey factory, which was founded in 2003.[6]
Demographics
Kai Iwi is described by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement. It covers 0.88 km2 (0.34 sq mi)[4] and had an estimated population of 200 as of June 2025,[5] with a population density of 227 people per km2. It is part of the larger Mowhanau statistical area.[7]
Kai Iwi had a population of 192 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 51 people (36.2%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 57 people (42.2%) since the 2013 census. There were 105 males and 87 females in 69 dwellings.[10] 1.6% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 50.1 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 30 people (15.6%) aged under 15 years, 24 (12.5%) aged 15 to 29, 90 (46.9%) aged 30 to 64, and 48 (25.0%) aged 65 or older.[8]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 92.2% European (Pākehā), 23.4% Māori, 1.6% Pasifika, 1.6% Asian, and 3.1% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 96.9%, Māori by 6.2%, Samoan by 1.6%, and other languages by 6.2%. No language could be spoken by 1.6% (e.g. too young to talk). The percentage of people born overseas was 9.4, compared with 28.8% nationally.[8]
Religious affiliations were 26.6% Christian, and 1.6% Māori religious beliefs. People who answered that they had no religion were 68.8%, and 3.1% of people did not answer the census question.[8]
Of those at least 15 years old, 36 (22.2%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 93 (57.4%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 30 (18.5%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $33,900, compared with $41,500 nationally. 18 people (11.1%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 60 (37.0%) full-time, 30 (18.5%) part-time, and 3 (1.9%) unemployed.[8]
Mowhanau statistical area
Mowhanau statistical area, which also includes Pākaraka, covers 170.19 km2 (65.71 sq mi)[11] and had an estimated population of 1,460 as of June 2025,[12] with a population density of 8.6 people per km2.
Mowhanau had a population of 1,407 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 114 people (8.8%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 105 people (8.1%) since the 2013 census. There were 729 males, 675 females, and 3 people of other genders in 522 dwellings.[15] 2.1% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 46.1 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 267 people (19.0%) aged under 15 years, 195 (13.9%) aged 15 to 29, 666 (47.3%) aged 30 to 64, and 276 (19.6%) aged 65 or older.[13]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 91.7% European (Pākehā); 16.4% Māori; 1.5% Pasifika; 2.1% Asian; 0.2% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 4.3% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 98.3%, Māori by 3.6%, Samoan by 0.2%, and other languages by 4.3%. No language could be spoken by 1.5% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 1.1%. The percentage of people born overseas was 11.1, compared with 28.8% nationally.[13]
Religious affiliations were 32.8% Christian, 0.6% Māori religious beliefs, 0.2% Buddhist, 0.4% New Age, and 0.4% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 58.8%, and 6.8% of people did not answer the census question.[13]
Of those at least 15 years old, 252 (22.1%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 639 (56.1%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 246 (21.6%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $41,300, compared with $41,500 nationally. 123 people (10.8%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 567 (49.7%) full-time, 198 (17.4%) part-time, and 24 (2.1%) unemployed.[13]
Marae
Kai Iwi has three marae, affiliated with Ngāti Iti and the Ngā Rauru hapū of Ngāti Pūkeko: Te Aroha Marae and Te Kotahitanga meeting house; Kai Iwi Marae and Awhakaueroa meeting house; and Taipake Marae and Taipake meeting house.[16][17]
In October 2020, the Government committed $522,926 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade Te Ihupuku Marae, Waipapa Marae and Te Aroha Marae, creating 92 jobs.[18]
Water supply for Whanganui
The Kai Iwi area has three artesian bores that are a major source of drinking water for Whanganui.[19]
Bushy Park Tarapuruhi
Bushy Park Tarapuruhi is a protected native forest reserve and bird sanctuary located 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) inland from Kai Iwi on State Highway 3. The reserve has an area of approximately 100 hectares (250 acres), and includes a homestead that is a Category 1 listed historic place.[20]