There was a bridge over the Ruamāhanga at Kokotau in 1885.[6] A new bridge was opened in 1892,[7] but was damaged by floods the following year,[8] and again in 1897.[9] The timber truss bridge was replaced by the current concrete pier and girder bridge in 1930.[10]
The locality had a population of 201 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 12 people (6.3%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 48 people (31.4%) since the 2013 census. There were 105 males, 96 females, and 3 people of other genders in 72 dwellings.[14] 3.0% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 46.8 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 36 people (17.9%) aged under 15 years, 27 (13.4%) aged 15 to 29, 102 (50.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 36 (17.9%) aged 65 or older.[5]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 95.5% European (Pākehā), 10.4% Māori, 1.5% Pasifika, and 3.0% Asian. English was spoken by 98.5%, and other languages by 9.0%. No language could be spoken by 1.5% (e.g. too young to talk). The percentage of people born overseas was 14.9, compared with 28.8% nationally.[5]
Religious affiliations were 31.3% Christian. People who answered that they had no religion were 62.7%, and 6.0% of people did not answer the census question.[5]
Of those at least 15 years old, 54 (32.7%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 81 (49.1%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 33 (20.0%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $54,200, compared with $41,500 nationally. 30 people (18.2%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 84 (50.9%) full-time, 33 (20.0%) part-time, and 6 (3.6%) unemployed.[5]
Kokotau statistical area covers 120.58km2 (46.56sqmi).[15] It had an estimated population of 1,320 as of June 2025,[16] with a population density of 10.9 people per km2.
Kokotau had a population of 1,275 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 54 people (4.4%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 126 people (11.0%) since the 2013 census. There were 663 males, 609 females, and 3 people of other genders in 486 dwellings.[19] 3.3% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 46.2 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 237 people (18.6%) aged under 15 years, 186 (14.6%) aged 15 to 29, 621 (48.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 231 (18.1%) aged 65 or older.[17]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 93.9% European (Pākehā); 12.0% Māori; 2.4% Pasifika; 2.6% Asian; 0.2% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 3.3% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 98.1%, Māori by 1.4%, Samoan by 0.2%, and other languages by 7.3%. No language could be spoken by 1.6% (e.g. too young to talk). The percentage of people born overseas was 16.2, compared with 28.8% nationally.[17]
Religious affiliations were 32.7% Christian, 0.5% New Age, 0.2% Jewish, and 0.7% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 59.8%, and 6.4% of people did not answer the census question.[17]
Of those at least 15 years old, 252 (24.3%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 561 (54.0%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 216 (20.8%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $44,300, compared with $41,500 nationally. 144 people (13.9%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 540 (52.0%) full-time, 198 (19.1%) part-time, and 27 (2.6%) unemployed.[17]
