Mataroa
Settlement in Manawatū-Whanganui, New Zealand
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mataroa is a settlement in the Rangitikei District and Manawatū-Whanganui region of New Zealand's North Island.
Mataroa | |
|---|---|
Rural community | |
Paengaroa Scenic Reserve, viewed from across the Hautapu River | |
 Interactive map of Mataroa | |
| Coordinates: 39.652°S 175.720°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Manawatū-Whanganui |
| Territorial authority | Rangitikei District |
| Wards |
|
| Community | Taihape Community |
| Electorates | |
| Government | |
| • Territorial Authority | Rangitikei District Council |
| • Regional council | Horizons Regional Council |
| • Mayor of Rangitikei | Andy Watson[1] |
| • Rangitīkei MP | Suze Redmayne[2] |
| • Te Tai Hauāuru MP | Debbie Ngarewa-Packer[3] |
| Area | |
• Total | 38.37 km2 (14.81 sq mi) |
| Population (2023 Census)[5] | |
• Total | 126 |
| • Density | 3.28/km2 (8.51/sq mi) |
The area was already settled by the Māori iwi Ngāti Rangi by the time William Colenso made the first recorded European visit in 1845.[6]
Railway surveyors cut a rough track through the district in 1884, and wool farmers began clearing the area in the following decades.[6] The Mataroa Tunnel was dug through the area in the early 1900s.[7] The Main Trunk railway line was laid through it in 1906 and it began to carry trains in 1907.[8]
The Paengaroa Scenic Reserve is located in Mataroa.[9] It includes a carpark, picnicking area, and ten minute walking track.[10]
Demographics
Mataora locality covers 38.37 km2 (14.81 sq mi).[4] It is part of the larger Mokai Patea statistical area.[13]
Mataora had a population of 126 in the 2023 New Zealand census, a decrease of 3 people (−2.3%) since the 2018 census, and a decrease of 9 people (−6.7%) since the 2013 census. There were 66 males and 57 females in 54 dwellings.[15] 2.4% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 40.9 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 24 people (19.0%) aged under 15 years, 27 (21.4%) aged 15 to 29, 54 (42.9%) aged 30 to 64, and 21 (16.7%) aged 65 or older.[5]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 90.5% European (Pākehā), 31.0% Māori, 4.8% Pasifika, and 2.4% Asian. English was spoken by 97.6%, Māori by 11.9%, and other languages by 2.4%. The percentage of people born overseas was 4.8, compared with 28.8% nationally.[5]
The sole religious affiliation given was 33.3% Christian. People who answered that they had no religion were 50.0%, and 11.9% of people did not answer the census question.[5]
Of those at least 15 years old, 18 (17.6%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 69 (67.6%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 15 (14.7%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $47,900, compared with $41,500 nationally. 9 people (8.8%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 66 (64.7%) full-time and 15 (14.7%) part-time.[5]