Makahika
Locality in Manawatū-Whanganui, New Zealand
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Makahika is a rural locality in the Horowhenua District of the Manawatū-Whanganui region of New Zealand's North Island. It is located in the Makahika Stream valley. The stream runs southwest from the Tararua Range to join the Ōhau River.[6]
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Makahika | |
|---|---|
Rural locality | |
Looking east across Makahika to the Tararua Range | |
 Interactive map of Makahika | |
| Coordinates: 40.637°S 175.399°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Manawatū-Whanganui region |
| Territorial authority | Horowhenua District |
| Wards |
|
| Electorates | |
| Government | |
| • Territorial Authority | Horowhenua District Council |
| • Regional council | Horizons Regional Council |
| • Horowhenua Mayor | Bernie Wanden[1] |
| • Ōtaki MP | Tim Costley[2] |
| • Te Tai Hauāuru MP | Debbie Ngarewa-Packer[3] |
| Area | |
• Total | 170.32 km2 (65.76 sq mi) |
| Population (June 2025)[5] | |
• Total | 1,120 |
| • Density | 6.58/km2 (17.0/sq mi) |
The Mangahao Makahika Track is a 15 km tramping track through the Tararua Range which takes 6-8 hours one-way depending on direction.[7]
Glamping accommodation is available at Arete Village, part of the Makahika Outdoor Pursuits Centre.[8]
Demographics
Makahika statistical area covers 170.32 km2 (65.76 sq mi).[4] It had an estimated population of 1,120 as of June 2025, with a population density of 6.6 people per km2.
Makahika had a population of 1,104 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 144 people (15.0%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 246 people (28.7%) since the 2013 census. There were 564 males, 534 females, and 3 people of other genders in 420 dwellings.[11] 3.0% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 50.5 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 156 people (14.1%) aged under 15 years, 159 (14.4%) aged 15 to 29, 540 (48.9%) aged 30 to 64, and 246 (22.3%) aged 65 or older.[9]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 90.2% European (Pākehā); 14.9% Māori; 4.1% Pasifika; 4.3% Asian; 0.8% 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 97.6%, Māori by 2.2%, and other languages by 5.7%. No language could be spoken by 1.9% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.3%. The percentage of people born overseas was 17.1, compared with 28.8% nationally.[9]
Religious affiliations were 29.3% Christian, 0.5% Hindu, 0.8% Māori religious beliefs, 0.5% New Age, 0.3% Jewish, and 0.5% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 59.5%, and 8.4% of people did not answer the census question.[9]
Of those at least 15 years old, 177 (18.7%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 537 (56.6%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 234 (24.7%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $34,600, compared with $41,500 nationally. 117 people (12.3%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 447 (47.2%) full-time, 162 (17.1%) part-time, and 18 (1.9%) unemployed.[9]