Mangaweka
Mangaweka is a township on the State Highway One (SH1), Manawatū-Whanganui region, in the North Island of New Zealand, with a population of just under 200. It is between Taihape to the north and Hunterville to the south.[3] The Rangitīkei River runs adjacent to the township, which is popular for rafting, kayaking, fishing and swimming.
Mangaweka | |
|---|---|
 Mangaweka's iconic DC-3 | |
| Coordinates: 39°48′S 175°47′E} | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Manawatū-Whanganui |
| District | Rangitikei District |
| Wards |
|
| Community | Taihape Community |
| Electorates | |
| Government | |
| • Territorial Authority | Rangitikei District Council |
| • Regional council | Horizons Regional Council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.47 km2 (0.18 sq mi) |
| Population (2018)[2] | |
| • Total | 90 |
| • Density | 190/km2 (500/sq mi) |
The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "weka stream" for Mangaweka.[4]
The township is of interest not only for its historic main street, but also because of the growing artists' community. The main street is preserved in its original state due to SH1 being re-located in the early 1980s. This tore the heart out of the township as the main street became somewhat redundant. As a result, the settlement has become a tourist attraction.
A significant feature in Mangaweka is an elevated DC-3 aircraft. It was originally set above a service station, but this is currently closed and is awaiting redevelopment.[5] In 2021 the plane was moved to Shannon for restoration. It is uncertain whether it will return.[6] The Department of Conservation have several scenic reserve walks around Mangaweka including one on the former North Island Main Trunk railway line and tunnels, replaced by a deviation in 1981.
Notable people who have lived in Mangaweka include the New Zealand poet Sam Hunt, the artist Robin White (whose iconic "Mangaweka" painting hangs in Te Papa) and photographer/artist Richard Aslett. The town also hosts an annual "Fakes & Forgeries Art Exhibition and Festival" in October and November. Karl Sim, was a regular attendee until his death in 2013.
Other major features close to the town include some of the country's biggest railway viaducts on the Mangaweka deviation.[7] Nearby, the Rangitikei River canyon provides the setting for the southern hemisphere's highest flying fox, an 80m bungy jump, as well as a The Lord of the Rings film location.
History
Development at Mangaweka began with clearance of the forest for the North Island Main Trunk Railway. A shelter called Three Log Whare was built. From 1894 it had a mail link 3 times a week with Ohingaiti.[8]
Demographics
Mangaweka is defined by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement and covers 0.47 km2 (0.18 sq mi).[1] It is part of the larger Mokai Patea statistical area.
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 111 | — |
| 2013 | 105 | −0.79% |
| 2018 | 90 | −3.04% |
| Source: [2] | ||
Mangaweka had a population of 90 at the 2018 New Zealand census, a decrease of 15 people (−14.3%) since the 2013 census, and a decrease of 21 people (−18.9%) since the 2006 census. There were 39 households, comprising 45 males and 42 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.07 males per female. The median age was 48.4 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 18 people (20.0%) aged under 15 years, 6 (6.7%) aged 15 to 29, 42 (46.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 21 (23.3%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 90.0% European/Pākehā, 13.3% Māori, 3.3% Pacific peoples, and 3.3% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 50.0% had no religion, 40.0% were Christian and 3.3% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 3 (4.2%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 21 (29.2%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $21,200, compared with $31,800 nationally. 6 people (8.3%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 24 (33.3%) people were employed full-time, 24 (33.3%) were part-time, and 3 (4.2%) were unemployed.[2]
Makai Patea statistical area
The Mokai Patea statistical area includes Pukeokahu, Moawhango, Mataroa, Papanui Junction, and Taoroa Junction, and surrounds but does not include Taihape. Mokai Patea covers 2,475.07 km2 (955.63 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 1,840 as of June 2022,[9] with a population density of 1 people per km2.
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 1,911 | — |
| 2013 | 1,761 | −1.16% |
| 2018 | 1,716 | −0.52% |
| Source: [10] | ||
Mokai Patea had a population of 1,716 at the 2018 New Zealand census, a decrease of 45 people (−2.6%) since the 2013 census, and a decrease of 195 people (−10.2%) since the 2006 census. There were 657 households, comprising 915 males and 801 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.14 males per female. The median age was 41.0 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 342 people (19.9%) aged under 15 years, 291 (17.0%) aged 15 to 29, 822 (47.9%) aged 30 to 64, and 258 (15.0%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 87.1% European/Pākehā, 21.5% Māori, 1.4% Pacific peoples, 0.5% Asian, and 1.7% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 7.3, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 47.9% had no religion, 40.7% were Christian, 1.9% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.2% were Buddhist and 1.6% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 189 (13.8%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 285 (20.7%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $34,000, compared with $31,800 nationally. 192 people (14.0%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 813 (59.2%) people were employed full-time, 282 (20.5%) were part-time, and 27 (2.0%) were unemployed.[10]
Education
Mangaweka School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students,[11][12] with a roll of 20 as of February 2023.[13]
References
- "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
- "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. 7017939.
- "Taihape district".
- "1000 Māori place names". New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage. 6 August 2019.
- Browne, Alister (11 January 2018). "Central North Island roadside attraction still flying high". Stuff. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
- "Future of Mangaweka's iconic plane up in the air". Stuff. 6 May 2021. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
- Beaglehole, Diana (15 June 2015). "Whanganui places – Taihape district". Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand.
- ""THREE-LOG WHARE" MANAWATU STANDARD". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 19 March 1938. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
- "Population estimate tables - NZ.Stat". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
- "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Mokai Patea (226100). 2018 Census place summary: Mokai Patea
- "Official School Website". mangaweka.school.nz.
- "Ministry of Education School Profile". educationcounts.govt.nz. Ministry of Education.
- "Education Review Office Report". ero.govt.nz. Education Review Office.
