Piopio, New Zealand
Settlement in Waikato, New Zealand
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Piopio is a small town in the Waitomo District. It is situated on State Highway 3 approximately 23 km from Te Kūiti.[6]
Piopio | |
|---|---|
 Interactive map of Piopio | |
| Coordinates: 38°27′59.25″S 175°0′55.84″E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Waikato region |
| District | Waitomo District |
| Ward | Waitomo Rural Ward |
| Electorates | |
| Government | |
| • Territorial Authority | Waitomo District Council |
| • Regional council | Waikato Regional Council |
| • Mayor of Waitomo | John Robertson[1] |
| • Taranaki-King Country MP | Barbara Kuriger[2] |
| • Hauraki-Waikato MP | Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke[3] |
| Area | |
• Total | 2.01 km2 (0.78 sq mi) |
| Population (June 2025)[5] | |
• Total | 460 |
| • Density | 230/km2 (590/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+12 (NZST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+13 (NZDT) |
| Area code | 07 |
Demographics
Statistics New Zealand describes Piopio as a rural settlement, which covers 2.01 km2 (0.78 sq mi).[4] It had an estimated population of 460 as of June 2025,[5] with a population density of 229 people per km2. The settlement is part of the larger Aria statistical area.[7]
Piopio had a population of 456 in the 2023 New Zealand census, a decrease of 12 people (−2.6%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 60 people (15.2%) since the 2013 census. There were 222 males and 231 females in 177 dwellings.[10] 0.7% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 37.4 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 105 people (23.0%) aged under 15 years, 78 (17.1%) aged 15 to 29, 186 (40.8%) aged 30 to 64, and 87 (19.1%) aged 65 or older.[8]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 63.2% European (Pākehā), 52.0% Māori, 2.0% Pasifika, 2.6% Asian, and 2.6% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 98.0%, Māori by 11.8%, and other languages by 3.9%. No language could be spoken by 1.3% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.7%. The percentage of people born overseas was 7.9, compared with 28.8% nationally.[8]
Religious affiliations were 23.7% Christian, 0.7% Hindu, 0.7% Islam, 5.3% Māori religious beliefs, 1.3% Buddhist, 0.7% New Age, and 0.7% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 62.5%, and 3.9% of people did not answer the census question.[8]
Of those at least 15 years old, 36 (10.3%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 198 (56.4%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 117 (33.3%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $34,000, compared with $41,500 nationally. 12 people (3.4%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 174 (49.6%) full-time, 51 (14.5%) part-time, and 9 (2.6%) unemployed.[8]
Marae
There are marae in the area, affiliated with the hapū of Ngāti Maniapoto:
- Mōkau Kohunui Marae and Ko Tama Tāne meeting house are affiliated with Apakura, Ngāti Kinohaku and Waiora
- Napinapi Marae and Parekahoki meeting house are affiliated with Ngāti Matakore and Pare te Kawa
- Te Paemate Marae and meeting house are affiliated with Paemate
- Mangarama Mara and Rongorongo meeting house are affiliated with Apakura.[11][12]
Education
Piopio College provides high school education for Year 7 to 13 students,[13] with a roll of 154[14]
Piopio School provides primary education for new entrants and Year 1 to 6 students,[15][16] with a roll of 116.[17]
Both schools are coeducational. Rolls are as of March 2026.[18]
Piopio School opened in 1909. In 1924 it consolidated with other schools to form Piopio District High School. The secondary section shifted to an adjacent site in 1960[19] and later became Piopio College.[20]
Notable people
- Hannah Osborne (born 1994), Olympic rower
- Merv Smith (1933–2018), broadcaster
- Cortez Ratima (born 2001), rugby union player