Papanui Junction
Rural community in Manawatū-Whanganui, New Zealand
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Papanui Junction is a rural community in the Rangitikei District and Manawatū-Whanganui region of New Zealand's North Island. It is located west of Taihape, in the Turakina Valley.[6]
Papanui Junction | |
|---|---|
Rural community | |
 Interactive map of Papanui Junction | |
| Coordinates: 39.677°S 175.549°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 | 190.99 km2 (73.74 sq mi) |
| Population (2023 Census)[5] | |
• Total | 141 |
| • Density | 0.738/km2 (1.91/sq mi) |
Overview
Several Māori land blocks are located in the hill country north-east of the junction, including a 157.7-hectare (390-acre) lot with 87 owners and a 52.5-hectare (130-acre) lot with 173 owners.[7]
The area's windy gravel roads may have been a factor in a fatal crash in 2008.[8]
GNS Science recorded slight landsliding on the hills between Papanui Junction and Kakatahi during flooding in June 2015.[9]
Demographics
Papanui Junction locality covers 190.99 km2 (73.74 sq mi).[4] It is part of the larger Mokai Patea statistical area.[10]
Papanui Junction had a population of 141 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 12 people (9.3%) since the 2018 census, and unchanged since the 2013 census. There were 84 males and 57 females in 51 dwellings.[12] The median age was 28.2 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 27 people (19.1%) aged under 15 years, 45 (31.9%) aged 15 to 29, 54 (38.3%) aged 30 to 64, and 12 (8.5%) aged 65 or older.[5]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 83.0% European (Pākehā), 14.9% Māori, 4.3% Pasifika, and 4.3% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 91.5%, Māori by 6.4%, and other languages by 4.3%. No language could be spoken by 2.1% (e.g. too young to talk). The percentage of people born overseas was 8.5, compared with 28.8% nationally.[5]
The sole religious affiliation given was 38.3% Christian. People who answered that they had no religion were 57.4%, and 4.3% of people did not answer the census question.[5]
Of those at least 15 years old, 12 (10.5%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 72 (63.2%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 27 (23.7%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $46,300, compared with $41,500 nationally. 6 people (5.3%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 84 (73.7%) full-time and 18 (15.8%) part-time.[5]
Education
Papanui Junction School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students,[13] with a roll of 10 as of October 2025.[14][6] It is the most isolated school in the wider Taihape area.[15] It has been open since at least 1909.[16]
The school held a commemorative Daffodil Day in August 2016 to commemorate a local man who was heavily involved in the school, who had recently died of cancer.[17]
Papaunui Junction School is a sole charge school due to its low roll. In June 2018, the New Zealand Educational Institute campaigned for better conditions for the sole charge principal.[18]