Takaro
Suburb of Palmerston North
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Takaro is a suburb and constituent ward of Palmerston North, Manawatū-Whanganui, New Zealand.
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Takaro | |
|---|---|
The former Guy Homestead at 16 Guy Avenue | |
 Interactive map of Takaro | |
| Coordinates: 40.352°S 175.593°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| City | Palmerston North |
| Local authority | Palmerston North City Council |
| Electoral ward |
|
| Area | |
| • Land | 200 ha (490 acres) |
| Population (June 2025)[2] | |
• Total | 5,960 |
| • Density | 3,000/km2 (7,700/sq mi) |
| Cloverlea | Milson | |
| Westbrook, Highbury |
  Takaro  |
Papaioea |
| Awapuni | West End | Palmerston North Central |
It is located east of Highbury, west of Palmerston North Hospital Area and north of the CBD. It had a resident population of 5,253 in 2013, making up 6.6% of Palmerston North's population.[3]
The area includes Takaro Park, Kawau Stream Reserve, Clausen Reserve, Gloucester Reserve, Coronation Park, Takaro Bowling Club, Takaro Tennis Club, Masonic Court, Rose A Lea Retirement Home and Palmerston Manor Retirement Home.[4]
Demographics
Takaro covers 2.00 km2 (0.77 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 5,960 as of June 2025,[2] with a population density of 2,980 people per km2.
Takaro had a population of 5,781 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 33 people (0.6%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 210 people (3.8%) since the 2013 census. There were 2,847 males, 2,880 females, and 54 people of other genders in 2,208 dwellings.[7] 5.6% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 32.9 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 1,095 people (18.9%) aged under 15 years, 1,482 (25.6%) aged 15 to 29, 2,490 (43.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 714 (12.4%) aged 65 or older.[5]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 74.2% European (Pākehā); 25.4% Māori; 8.1% Pasifika; 11.6% Asian; 1.1% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 1.7% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 95.5%, Māori by 6.3%, Samoan by 1.3%, and other languages by 11.6%. No language could be spoken by 2.2% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.8%. The percentage of people born overseas was 17.8, compared with 28.8% nationally.[5]
Religious affiliations were 26.2% Christian, 1.8% Hindu, 1.7% Islam, 1.7% Māori religious beliefs, 1.2% Buddhist, 0.7% New Age, 0.1% Jewish, and 2.2% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 57.0%, and 7.7% of people did not answer the census question.[5]
Of those at least 15 years old, 1,065 (22.7%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 2,643 (56.4%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 969 (20.7%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $41,600, compared with $41,500 nationally. 276 people (5.9%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 2,562 (54.7%) full-time, 591 (12.6%) part-time, and 168 (3.6%) unemployed.[5]
Education
Palmerston North Boys' High School is a single-sex state secondary school for years 9 to 13.[10] It has a roll of 1,757. Palmerston North High School was established in 1902, and split into separate schools for boys and girls in 1920, with the boys' school staying on the original site.[11]
Queen Elizabeth College is a state secondary school for years 7 to 13.[12] It has a roll of 354. It opened in 1906, and expanded to include a junior school for years 7 and 8 in 2024.[13]
Takaro School is a state primary school,[14][15] with a roll of 219.[16] It opened in 1957.[17]
Our Lady of Lourdes School is a state-integrated Catholic primary school,[18][19] with a roll of 155.[20] It opened in 1951.[21]
All these schools apart from Palmerston North Boys' School are co-educational. Rolls are as of October 2025,[22]