Putorino
Rural settlement in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Putorino (Māori: Pūtōrino) is a small farming settlement in northern Hawke's Bay, on the eastern side of New Zealand's North Island. It is located on State Highway 2 between Tutira and Mohaka,[6] on the Hastings side of the border between Hastings and Wairoa.[7]
Putorino
Pūtōrino | |
|---|---|
Rural settlement | |
The Bailey bridge spanning the Waikari River from 2023 to 2025 | |
 Interactive map of Putorino | |
| Coordinates: 39°08′S 177°00′E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Hawke's Bay |
| Territorial authority | Hastings District |
| Ward |
|
| Community | Hastings District Rural Community |
| Subdivision | Tūtira subdivision |
| Electorates | |
| Government | |
| • Territorial Authority | Hastings District Council |
| • Mayor of Hastings | Wendy Schollum[1] |
| • Napier MP | Katie Nimon[2] |
| • Ikaroa-Rāwhiti MP | Cushla Tangaere-Manuel[3] |
| Area | |
• Total | 124.21 km2 (47.96 sq mi) |
| Population (2023 Census)[5] | |
• Total | 78 |
| • Density | 0.63/km2 (1.6/sq mi) |
Pūtōrino was originally a Māori settlement at the mouth of the Waikari River, at an important stopping point for canoes. It became a European settlement in the 1860s, and moved inland to the main Napier to Wairoa Road in the early 20th century. The modern village includes a hotel and sports centre.[7]
Flooding during Cyclone Gabrielle destroyed the State Highway 2 (SH2) bridge over the river at Putorino.[8] It was replaced by a Bailey bridge. In August-September 2025, the Bailey bridge was replaced by a wider and stronger Acrow bridge.[9]
Demographics
Putorino and its surrounds cover 124.21 km2 (47.96 sq mi).[4] It is part of the Puketitiri-Tutira statistical area.[10]
Putorino had a population of 78 in the 2023 New Zealand census, unchanged since the 2018 census, and a decrease of 21 people (−21.2%) since the 2013 census. There were 42 males and 36 females in 30 dwellings.[12] The median age was 39.2 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 12 people (15.4%) aged under 15 years, 15 (19.2%) aged 15 to 29, 42 (53.8%) aged 30 to 64, and 12 (15.4%) aged 65 or older.[5]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 96.2% European (Pākehā), and 19.2% Māori. English was the only language spoken. The percentage of people born overseas was 7.7, compared with 28.8% nationally.[5]
The only religious affiliation given was 23.1% Christian. People who answered that they had no religion were 69.2%, and 7.7% of people did not answer the census question.[5]
Of those at least 15 years old, 9 (13.6%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 36 (54.5%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 18 (27.3%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $35,200, compared with $41,500 nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 36 (54.5%) full-time and 15 (22.7%) part-time.[5]