Tuai

Statistics New Zealand describes Tuai as a rural settlement, which covers 21.99 km² (8.49 sq mi).^[4] It had an estimated population of 230 as of June 2025,^[5] with a population density of 10 people per km². It is part of the larger Maungataniwha-Raupunga statistical area.^[12]

Tūai had a population of 222 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 6 people (2.8%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 9 people (4.2%) since the 2013 census. There were 108 males and 114 females in 87 dwellings.^[15] 1.4% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 32.4 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 63 people (28.4%) aged under 15 years, 42 (18.9%) aged 15 to 29, 90 (40.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 30 (13.5%) aged 65 or older.^[13]

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 25.7% European (Pākehā), 87.8% Māori, and 1.4% Pasifika. English was spoken by 94.6%, Māori by 54.1%, and other languages by 2.7%. No language could be spoken by 2.7% (e.g. too young to talk). The percentage of people born overseas was 6.8, compared with 28.8% nationally.^[13]

Religious affiliations were 20.3% Christian, 32.4% Māori religious beliefs, 1.4% New Age, and 1.4% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 40.5%, and 6.8% of people did not answer the census question.^[13]

Of those at least 15 years old, 24 (15.1%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 99 (62.3%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 45 (28.3%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $31,200, compared with $41,500 nationally. 3 people (1.9%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 63 (39.6%) full-time, 21 (13.2%) part-time, and 12 (7.5%) unemployed.^[13]

Te Kūhā Tārewa Marae and Te Poho o Hinekura or Ruapani meeting house is a meeting place of the Tūhoe hapū of Ngāti Hinekura, and the Ngāti Ruapani hapū of Ngāti Hinekura and Tuwai.^[16][17]

In October 2020, the Government committed $1,949,075 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade the marae and 23 other Ngāti Kahungunu marae. The funding was expected to create 164 jobs.^[18]

Te Kura o Waikaremoana is a Year 1–8 co-educational state primary school.^[19] It is a decile 2 school with a roll of 27 as of October 2025.^[20][21] The school was formed by the merger of Tuai School and Kokako School in 2005.^[22] Tuai School was established by 1929^[23] and Kokako School was established between 1896^[24] and 1898.^[25]