Ōpaki

Opaki statistical area covers 36.04 km² (13.92 sq mi).[1] It had an estimated population of 1,290 as of June 2022,[2] with a population density of 36 people per km².

Ōpaki had a population of 1,140 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 126 people (12.4%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 288 people (33.8%) since the 2006 census. There were 435 households. There were 555 males and 582 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.95 males per female. The median age was 49.4 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 201 people (17.6%) aged under 15 years, 132 (11.6%) aged 15 to 29, 567 (49.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 240 (21.1%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 95.8% European/Pākehā, 8.2% Māori, 0.8% Pacific peoples, 1.1% Asian, and 1.6% other ethnicities (totals add to more than 100% since people could identify with multiple ethnicities).

The proportion of people born overseas was 16.8%, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people objected to giving their religion, 48.7% had no religion, 41.8% were Christian and 1.1% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 243 (25.9%) people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 150 (16.0%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $42,000, compared with $31,800 nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 492 (52.4%) people were employed full-time, 174 (18.5%) were part-time, and 12 (1.3%) were unemployed.[5]

Opaki School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students,[6][7] with a roll of 160 as of February 2023.[8] School buses serve the neighbouring settlements of Rangitumau, Mauriceville and Mikimiki.[9]