Piriaka
Rural settlement in New Zealand
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Piriaka is a small rural settlement beside the Whanganui River, about 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) southeast of Taumarunui on State Highway 4 (SH4), in New Zealand's King Country. Its name is Māori, from piri (to cling close) and aka (bush climbers of various kinds, such as rata).[6]
Piriaka | |
|---|---|
Rural settlement | |
 Interactive map of Piriaka | |
| Coordinates: Topo Map 38.922°S 175.339°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Manawatū-Whanganui |
| District | Ruapehu District |
| Ward |
|
| Community | Taumarunui-Ōhura 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 | 0.75 km2 (0.29 sq mi) |
| Population (2023 Census)[5] | |
• Total | 138 |
| • Density | 180/km2 (480/sq mi) |
The Piriaka Power Station is about 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) north of the settlement.
The Piriaka springs can be found just to the south of Piriaka (beside SH4 just at it starts to climb up to a higher altitude) at 38°55′33″S 175°20′27″E. These springs are well known in the local area, and also provide the main water supply for the settlement.[7][8]
About 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) further south along SH4, at 38°55′56″S 175°20′37″E, there is a lookout providing an excellent view of the Whanganui River. This spot is known as the Piriaka lookout.
Demographics
Piriaka covers 0.75 km2 (0.29 sq mi).[4] It is part of the larger Ngapuke statistical area.[9]
Piriaka had a population of 138 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 33 people (31.4%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 30 people (27.8%) since the 2013 census. There were 66 males, 69 females, and 3 people of other genders in 51 dwellings.[11] 4.3% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 36.5 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 33 people (23.9%) aged under 15 years, 24 (17.4%) aged 15 to 29, 54 (39.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 27 (19.6%) aged 65 or older.[5]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 60.9% European (Pākehā), 58.7% Māori, 8.7% Pasifika, and 4.3% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 93.5%, and Māori by 10.9%. No language could be spoken by 6.5% (e.g. too young to talk). The percentage of people born overseas was 4.3, compared with 28.8% nationally.[5]
Religious affiliations were 21.7% Christian, and 2.2% Māori religious beliefs. People who answered that they had no religion were 58.7%, and 15.2% of people did not answer the census question.[5]
Of those at least 15 years old, 9 (8.6%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 54 (51.4%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 45 (42.9%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $29,800, compared with $41,500 nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 42 (40.0%) full-time, 15 (14.3%) part-time, and 3 (2.9%) unemployed.[5]