Whangamōmona

Whangamōmona statistical area covers 689.60 km² (266.26 sq mi)^[5] and had an estimated population of 170 as of June 2025,^[6] with a population density of 0.25 people per km².

Whangamōmona had a population of 159 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 33 people (26.2%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 9 people (6.0%) since the 2013 census. There were 90 males and 69 females in 66 dwellings.^[9] 1.9% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 44.4 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 33 people (20.8%) aged under 15 years, 18 (11.3%) aged 15 to 29, 75 (47.2%) aged 30 to 64, and 33 (20.8%) aged 65 or older.^[7]

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 92.5% European (Pākehā), 20.8% Māori, 5.7% Asian, and 5.7% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 98.1%, and Māori by 3.8%. The percentage of people born overseas was 11.3, compared with 28.8% nationally.^[7]

Religious affiliations were 26.4% Christian, and 1.9% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 60.4%, and 9.4% of people did not answer the census question.^[7]

Of those at least 15 years old, 12 (9.5%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 75 (59.5%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 42 (33.3%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $22,700, compared with $41,500 nationally. 6 people (4.8%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 60 (47.6%) full-time, 15 (11.9%) part-time, and 12 (9.5%) unemployed.^[7]

The first European settlers arrived in 1895, with the town proper established two years later.^[10] Growth of the town was seriously affected by the deaths of 51 men (including some from the smaller nearby settlements of Kohuratahi and Tahora)^[11] in the First World War and a major flood in 1924.^[10] The town recovered with arrival of the railway line in 1933 and electrification in 1959, but its population declined in subsequent decades.^[10] The school closed in 1979, followed nine years later by the post office.^[10]

In July 2020, the name of the locality was officially gazetted as Whangamōmona by the New Zealand Geographic Board.^[12]

In 1989, regional council boundaries were redrawn, with an emphasis on connected catchments. These revised maps made Whangamōmona part of the then-Manawatu-Wanganui Region since the Whangamōmona River is a tributary of the Whanganui River. Residents objected, as they wanted to continue being part of the Taranaki Region, and on 1 November 1989, they responded by declaring themselves the "Republic of Whangamomona" at the first Republic Day. Though the move began as a pointed protest, the town continued to hold a celebratory Republic Day once a year, during which a vote for president was held. The day has become a local festival day, and attracts visitors from throughout the North Island. In 2001, the celebration became biennial, held in January to take advantage of the summer weather.^[13][14]