Central Hawke's Bay District is in the Hawke's Bay Region in the North Island of New Zealand. Formed in 1989, it covers an area of 3,333 square kilometres, from Pukehou in the north to Takapau in the south, and from the western Ruahine Range to the Pacific coast in the east. It has a population of 16,000 (June 2023),^[2] up from 14,142 in the 2018 census and 12,717 in the 2013 census.^[3]

Quick Facts Country, Region ...

Central Hawke's Bay District
Territorial authority district
Waipawa
Coordinates: 40°02′20″S 176°34′41″E
Country	New Zealand
Region	Hawke's Bay
Wards	Aramoana-Ruahine Ruataniwha
Seat	Waipawa
Government
• Mayor	Alex Walker
• Deputy Mayor	Kelly Annand
• Territorial authority	Central Hawke's Bay District Council
Area [1]
• Land	3,333.00 km2 (1,286.88 sq mi)
Population  (June 2023)[2]
• Total	16,000
Time zone	UTC+12 (NZST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+13 (NZDT)
Postcode(s)	Map of postcodes
Website	www.chbdc.govt.nz

Close

The two main towns are Waipukurau (population 4,750) and Waipawa (2,400),^[2] which are just 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) apart. Smaller townships include Ōtāne, Takapau, Tikokino and Ongaonga. There are also several small beach communities, including Kairakau, Pourerere, Aramoana, Blackhead and Pōrangahau.

There is a marae in each of the four corners of the district, at Pukehou, Kairakau, Pōrangahau and Takapau.

The district is administered by the Central Hawke's Bay District Council, which was formed through the 1989 local government reforms by amalgamating Waipukurau District Council and the Waipawa District Council.^[4] The district is divided into two wards: Ruataniwha is an urban ward based on the towns of Waipukurau and Waipawa; Aramoana-Ruahine is a largely rural ward. The council seat is in Waipawa.

Central Hawke's Bay District covers 3,333.00 km² (1,286.88 sq mi)^[1] and had an estimated population of 16,000 as of June 2023,^[2] with a population density of 4.8 people per km².

Central Hawke's Bay District had a population of 14,142 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 1,425 people (11.2%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 1,185 people (9.1%) since the 2006 census. There were 5,418 households, comprising 7,014 males and 7,125 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.98 males per female. The median age was 44.2 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 2,943 people (20.8%) aged under 15 years, 1,974 (14.0%) aged 15 to 29, 6,426 (45.4%) aged 30 to 64, and 2,796 (19.8%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 83.1% European/Pākehā, 23.7% Māori, 2.9% Pacific peoples, 2.5% Asian, and 1.4% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 12.1, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 50.8% had no religion, 37.2% were Christian, 2.2% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.2% were Hindu, 0.1% were Muslim, 0.3% were Buddhist and 1.6% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 1,482 (13.2%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 2,631 (23.5%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $29,000, compared with $31,800 nationally. 1,128 people (10.1%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 5,640 (50.4%) people were employed full-time, 1,746 (15.6%) were part-time, and 330 (2.9%) were unemployed.^[5]

State Highway 2 runs through the centre of Central Hawke's Bay, leading south to Palmerston North (108 km) and the Wairarapa and north to Hastings (50 km) and Napier. It is 70 kilometres to Napier Port and 75 kilometres to Napier Airport. The Palmerston North – Gisborne railway line runs through the district, with one station at Waipukurau. This line connects to the Wairarapa Line at Woodville, and continues through the Manawatū Gorge to Palmerston North.