Orautoha
Rural community in New Zealand
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Orautoha is a valley and rural community in the Ruapehu District and Manawatū-Whanganui region of New Zealand's North Island.
- Rangitīkei until the 2026 election, then Whanganui
- Te Tai Hauāuru (Māori)
Orautoha | |
|---|---|
Rural community | |
 Interactive map of Orautoha | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Manawatū-Whanganui |
| District | Ruapehu District |
| Ward |
|
| Community | Waimarino-Waiouru Community |
| Electorates |
|
| Government | |
| • Territorial Authority | Ruapehu District Council |
| • Regional council | Horizons Regional Council |
| • Mayor of Ruapehu | Weston Kirton[1] |
| • Rangitīkei MP | Suze Redmayne[2] |
| • Te Tai Hauāuru MP | Debbie Ngarewa-Packer[3] |
| Area | |
• Total | 67.60 km2 (26.10 sq mi) |
| Population (2023 Census)[5] | |
• Total | 126 |
| • Density | 1.86/km2 (4.83/sq mi) |
| Postcode(s) | 4691 |
Bill McNie was the original settler of the valley. McNie built a house in the valley in 1924, using newspaper as wallpaper. It later became workers' accommodation and then shearers' housing after his death in 1961, before being renovated into a rural bach his grand-nephew.[6] The bach, on an active beef and sheep farm, was voted one of the best in the country in 2017.[7]
The area currently consists of several farms on rugged land, with residents having to face regular electrical outages.[8]
Demographics
Orautoha locality covers 67.60 km2 (26.10 sq mi).[4] It is part of the larger Tangiwai statistical area.[9]
Orautoha had a population of 126 in the 2023 New Zealand census, a decrease of 6 people (−4.5%) since the 2018 census, and a decrease of 3 people (−2.3%) since the 2013 census. There were 75 males and 54 females in 54 dwellings.[11] The median age was 50.9 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 21 people (16.7%) aged under 15 years, 9 (7.1%) aged 15 to 29, 60 (47.6%) aged 30 to 64, and 36 (28.6%) aged 65 or older.[5]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 83.3% European (Pākehā), 26.2% Māori, 7.1% Pasifika, 2.4% Asian, and 4.8% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 95.2%, Māori by 4.8%, and other languages by 2.4%. No language could be spoken by 4.8% (e.g. too young to talk). The percentage of people born overseas was 7.1, compared with 28.8% nationally.[5]
Religious affiliations were 28.6% Christian, 2.4% Hindu, and 4.8% Māori religious beliefs. People who answered that they had no religion were 57.1%, and 7.1% of people did not answer the census question.[5]
Of those at least 15 years old, 15 (14.3%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 60 (57.1%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 30 (28.6%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $44,400, compared with $41,500 nationally. 18 people (17.1%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 57 (54.3%) full-time, 24 (22.9%) part-time, and 3 (2.9%) unemployed.[5]