Muhunoa East

Muhunoa East locality covers 64.13 km² (24.76 sq mi).^[4] It is part of the larger Kimberley statistical area.^[7]

Muhunua East had a population of 126 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 30 people (31.2%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 30 people (31.2%) since the 2013 census. There were 63 males, 60 females, and 3 people of other genders in 45 dwellings.^[9] 2.4% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 40.4 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 30 people (23.8%) aged under 15 years, 18 (14.3%) aged 15 to 29, 57 (45.2%) aged 30 to 64, and 24 (19.0%) aged 65 or older.^[5]

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 88.1% European (Pākehā); 11.9% Māori; 2.4% Asian; 2.4% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 4.8% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 92.9%, Māori by 2.4%, and other languages by 7.1%. No language could be spoken by 4.8% (e.g. too young to talk). The percentage of people born overseas was 11.9, compared with 28.8% nationally.^[5]

The sole religious affiliation given was 23.8% Christian. People who answered that they had no religion were 61.9%, and 14.3% of people did not answer the census question.^[5]

Of those at least 15 years old, 18 (18.8%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 57 (59.4%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 24 (25.0%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $39,800, compared with $41,500 nationally. 9 people (9.4%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 51 (53.1%) full-time, 15 (15.6%) part-time, and 3 (3.1%) unemployed.^[5]

Kimberley statistical area covers 129.37 km² (49.95 sq mi) from Muhunoa East south to the border of Horowhenua and the Kāpiti Coast District.^[10] It had an estimated population of 520 as of June 2025, with a population density of 4.02 people per km².

Kimberley had a population of 489 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 42 people (9.4%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 90 people (22.6%) since the 2013 census. There were 252 males, 237 females, and 3 people of other genders in 183 dwellings.^[13] 3.1% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 43.5 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 102 people (20.9%) aged under 15 years, 66 (13.5%) aged 15 to 29, 225 (46.0%) aged 30 to 64, and 96 (19.6%) aged 65 or older.^[11]

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 87.1% European (Pākehā); 17.2% Māori; 1.2% Pasifika; 0.6% Asian; 1.2% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 5.5% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 96.9%, Māori by 5.5%, Samoan by 0.6%, and other languages by 5.5%. No language could be spoken by 2.5% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 1.2%. The percentage of people born overseas was 14.1, compared with 28.8% nationally.^[11]

Religious affiliations were 21.5% Christian, 1.2% Māori religious beliefs, 0.6% New Age, and 1.2% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 65.6%, and 9.2% of people did not answer the census question.^[11]

Of those at least 15 years old, 75 (19.4%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 249 (64.3%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 72 (18.6%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $34,800, compared with $41,500 nationally. 48 people (12.4%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 186 (48.1%) full-time, 63 (16.3%) part-time, and 9 (2.3%) unemployed.^[11]

Muhunoa East School first opened in 1904 in temporary premises as a "side school" to relieve overcrowding at Ohau School. It catered for students up to standard II (now Year 4, about 8 years old). It moved to a permanent building in 1908 and expanded to cover up to standard IV (Year 6). It closed in 1922 due to a falling roll, but reopened in 1926,^[14] and continued until January 2006.^[15] The school building was destroyed by fire in a suspected arson in 2011.^[16]