Parakai facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Parakai
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 Parakai
Location in New Zealand Auckland
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| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Auckland Region |
| District | Parakai |
| Population
(2018)
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| • Total | 1,098 |
Parakai is a town in the North Island of New Zealand, sited 43 kilometres (27 miles) northwest of Auckland, close to the southern extremity of the Kaipara Harbour. Helensville is about 3 km (2 miles) to the south-east, and Waioneke is 22 km (14 miles) to the north-west.
The surrounding area, particularly to the north and west, consists of dairy farming, sheep farming and deer farming community. West Auckland Airport, a general aviation airfield, is 2 km north of Parakai. It is a popular airfield for parachuting.
Economy
Although it is no longer a forestry or dairy centre, the town is still a tourist attraction, largely because of its many historic buildings, the hot springs at Parakai and the Parakai Aerodrome, and its proximity to Auckland. It has also seen positive effects from the nearby wine producing region around Kumeu, 20 km to the south. There are also an increasing number of lifestyle blocks in the area.
Helensville has its own locally produced monthly newspaper called the Helensville News.
The township is in the North West Country Inc business improvement district zone. The business association which represents businesses from Kaukapakapa to Riverhead.
Demographics
| Historical population | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
| 2006 | 831 | — |
| 2013 | 1,020 | +2.97% |
| 2018 | 1,098 | +1.48% |
Parakai had a population of 1,098 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 78 people (7.6%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 267 people (32.1%) since the 2006 census. There were 375 households. There were 546 males and 552 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.99 males per female. The median age was 37 years, with 261 people (23.8%) aged under 15 years, 171 (15.6%) aged 15 to 29, 489 (44.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 177 (16.1%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 79.2% European/Pākehā, 24.0% Māori, 6.6% Pacific peoples, 6.6% Asian, and 2.5% other ethnicities (totals add to more than 100% since people could identify with multiple ethnicities).
The proportion of people born overseas was 19.4%, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people objected to giving their religion, 59.0% had no religion, 25.7% were Christian, and 6.6% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 87 (10.4%) people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 234 (28.0%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $26,100. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 405 (48.4%) people were employed full-time, 105 (12.5%) were part-time, and 42 (5.0%) were unemployed.
Education
Parakai School is a co-educational full primary school catering for years 1–8, with a roll of 220 students as of April 2023. The Parakai School community catchment area reaches from the immediate flats surrounding the Kaipara River and up the South Kaipara Heads Peninsula.
