Taupiri-Lake Kainui statistical area

Taupiri-Lake Kainui statistical area extends southeast towards Horsham Downs. Since the 2018 census, the boundaries of Ngāruawāhia have enlarged to include some of this area. Taupiri-Lake Kainui covers 47.97 km² (18.52 sq mi).^[1] It had an estimated population of 2,250 as of June 2023,^[5] with a population density of 47 people per km².

Before the 2023 census, the statistical area had a larger boundary, covering 49.76 km² (19.21 sq mi).^[1] Using that boundary, Taupiri-Lake Kainui had a population of 2,220 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 285 people (14.7%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 468 people (26.7%) since the 2006 census. There were 753 households, comprising 1,131 males and 1,092 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.04 males per female. The median age was 38.8 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 492 people (22.2%) aged under 15 years, 408 (18.4%) aged 15 to 29, 1,059 (47.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 264 (11.9%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 76.9% European/Pākehā, 28.9% Māori, 3.4% Pacific peoples, 3.5% Asian, and 2.3% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 11.8, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 48.1% had no religion, 38.0% were Christian, 2.4% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.5% were Hindu, 0.5% were Buddhist and 2.0% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 237 (13.7%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 381 (22.0%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $33,600, compared with $31,800 nationally. 324 people (18.8%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 912 (52.8%) people were employed full-time, 249 (14.4%) were part-time, and 96 (5.6%) were unemployed.^[6]

Pre-European history

Until sometime in the 19th century, a large Māori village or town, Kaitotehe, stood on the flat land on the other side of the river, below the Hakarimata Range.^[7]

In early years it was the headquarters of Ngāti Mahuta.^[8] Te Putu built Taupiri pā on the summit of a spur of Taupiri mountain, in the 17th century. When Te Putu was killed, he was buried at the pā, which thus became tapu (sacred) and was abandoned. Early European travellers in the area were obliged by Māori to cross to the other side of the Waikato River to avoid the sacred area. In the early 19th century, Kaitotehe was the home of Pōtatau Te Wherowhero, the paramount chief of Ngāti Mahuta who became the first Māori King.^[9]

Post-European history

Taupiri township was settled by Europeans in the 1870s (a railway station opened in 1877),^[10] and became a farming centre, with flax mills and a sawmill.^[11] A dairy factory was built in 1921, then a larger one in 1930.^[8]

In the 2006 census, 32 per cent of the population were Māori.^[8]

Marae

Taupiri Marae is located in Taupiri. It is a meeting ground for the Waikato Tainui hapū of Ngāti Kuiaarangi, Ngāti Mahuta, Ngāti Tai and Ngāti Whāwhākia, and includes the Pani Ora and Te Puna Tangata meeting houses.^[12][13]