Pukawa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pukawa
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Rural locality
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Wharenui, Manunui-a-Ruakapanga Marae
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| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Waikato region |
| District | Taupō District |
| Ward | Turangi-Tongariro Ward |
| Community | Turangi-Tongariro Community |
| Electorates |
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| Area | |
| • Total | 0.78 km2 (0.30 sq mi) |
| Population
(June 2023)
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| • Total | 50 |
| • Density | 64/km2 (166/sq mi) |
| Postcode(s) |
3381
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Pukawa or Pukawa Bay (Māori: Pūkawa) is a small bay and town. It is located on the southern shores of Lake Taupō in New Zealand. This area is on the North Island. You can find Pukawa off State Highway 41. It is between the towns of Turangi and Taumarunui. Pukawa is part of the Taupō District and the Waikato region.
Pukawa's Special Meeting Place: The Marae
Pukawa is home to a special place called a Marae. This marae is for the Ngāti Tūwharetoa hapū (a family group or sub-tribe) called Ngāti Manunui. They built the Pūkawa Marae and its meeting house, Manunui a Ruakapanga, in November 2006. A very important person, Tūheitia Paki, who is the Māori King, attended the opening ceremony.
An important historical event happened at Pukawa. In April 1857, Pōtatau Te Wherowhero was chosen as the first Māori King. This decision was made by many Māori chiefs at a meeting in Pukawa. He was later crowned in April 1858 at his marae in Ngāruawāhia.
In 1906, the Ngāti Tūwharetoa people and the Tongariro Timber Company planned to build a railway line. This line was meant to be 40 miles long. It would connect Kakahi to Pukawa. However, this railway line was never finished.
Who Lives in Pukawa?
Pukawa is a small rural town. It covers an area of 0.78 square kilometers. In June 2023, about 50 people lived there.
The population of Pukawa has changed over the years:
- In 2006, there were 210 people.
- In 2013, the population was 171.
- By 2018, it increased to 213 people.
In 2018, there were 99 households in Pukawa. The population was evenly split with 108 males and 108 females. The average age of people in Pukawa was 61.2 years. Most people were older, with 40.8% being 65 or older. About 11.3% of the people were under 15 years old.
Most people in Pukawa identified as European/Pākehā (81.7%). A significant number also identified as Māori (31.0%). Some people identified with more than one ethnicity.
When asked about their beliefs, nearly half of the people (49.3%) said they had no religion. About 42.3% were Christian. A small number (1.4%) followed Māori religious beliefs.
Many adults in Pukawa had a good education. About 22.2% of people aged 15 or older had a university degree. The average income was $30,900. Many people worked, with 34.9% working full-time.
Notable People from Pukawa
- Bessie Te Wenerau Grace: She was a teacher and the first Māori woman to graduate from university.
