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Kakatahi
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Kākātahi is a New Zealand town located 50 kilometres (31 mi) from Whanganui, on State Highway 4 to Raetihi.[6] The once bustling roadworkers' camp is now closed and the introduction of private contractors has seen the community dwindle, with local families contributing to a school roll of only about a dozen in 2007.
Key Information
The local Ōtoko Pā is a meeting place for korowai o Te Awaiti.[7] who is a group of hāpu known as: Ngāti Hine-o-te-rā, Ngāti Rūwai, and Ngāti Waikārapu[7] Sometimes just known as Te Awaiti or Te Awa Iti.
On the pā, there is a Wharenui called Tauakirā[8] and Kākātahi School
Demographics
[edit]Kakatahi locality covers 541.09 km2 (208.92 sq mi).[5] It is part of the larger Upper Whanganui statistical area.[9]
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 246 | — |
| 2018 | 213 | −2.84% |
| 2023 | 228 | +1.37% |
| Source: [4] | ||
Kakatahi had a population of 228 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 15 people (7.0%) since the 2018 census, and a decrease of 18 people (−7.3%) since the 2013 census. There were 129 males and 99 females in 102 dwellings.[10] There were 45 people (19.7%) aged under 15 years, 48 (21.1%) aged 15 to 29, 105 (46.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 30 (13.2%) aged 65 or older.[4]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 82.9% European (Pākehā); 28.9% Māori; 1.3% Pasifika; 1.3% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.6% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 97.4%, Māori by 10.5%, Samoan by 1.3%, and other languages by 2.6%. No language could be spoken by 3.9% (e.g. too young to talk). The percentage of people born overseas was 9.2, compared with 28.8% nationally.[4]
Religious affiliations were 25.0% Christian, 5.3% Māori religious beliefs, and 1.3% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 64.5%, and 2.6% of people did not answer the census question.[4]
Of those at least 15 years old, 18 (9.8%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 108 (59.0%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 45 (24.6%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. 12 people (6.6%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 111 (60.7%) full-time, 27 (14.8%) part-time, and 6 (3.3%) unemployed.[4]
Education
[edit]Kākātahi School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students,[11] with a roll of 14 as of July 2025.[12] It opened in 1934 but with predecessors from 1913. A new school was built in 1963.[13]
Ngamatea School was a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students southeast of Kakatahi. It opened in 1915 as Te Pou School,[14] and closed in 2017.[15]
References
[edit]- ^ "2025 Triennial Elections Declaration of Result" (PDF). Electionz. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
- ^ "Whanganui - Official Result". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
- ^ "Te Tai Hauāuru - Official Result". Retrieved 20 April 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. 7017652 and 7034128. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ^ a b "Stats NZ Geographic Data Service". Statistical Area 1 2023 (generalised). Retrieved 24 November 2025.
- ^ "Place name detail: Kakatahi". New Zealand Gazetteer. Land Information New Zealand. Retrieved 19 April 2010.
- ^ a b "He Whiritaunoka: The Whanganui Land Report" (PDF). Waitangi Tribunal. Volume 1 (Wai: 903). 2015. p. 72.
- ^ "Māori Maps". maorimaps.com. Te Potiki National Trust.
- ^ "Geographic Boundary Viewer". Stats NZ. Statistical Area 1 – 2023 and Statistical Area 2 – 2023.
- ^ "Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ^ "Kakatahi School Ministry of Education School Profile". educationcounts.govt.nz. Ministry of Education.
- ^ "Kakatahi School Education Review Office Report". ero.govt.nz. Education Review Office.
- ^ "History". Kākātahi School. Retrieved 24 November 2025.
- ^ Verdonk, Sieska (27 April 2017). "Watch NZH Local Focus: Ngamatea School closes for good". New Zealand Herald.
- ^ McDonald, Anne-Marie (11 April 2017). "Final farewell to Ngamatea School after roll drops to zero". Whanganui Chronicle.