Karaka, New Zealand

History

Between 1870 and 1900, Karaka, Waiuku and the Āwhitu Peninsula were major centres for the kauri gum industry.

Government

Karaka was originally governed by the Karaka Road District Board, formed 26 September 1867, before amalgamating with Franklin County in 1918.

Demographics

Kingseat-Karaka statistical area covers 86.68 km2 and had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km2.

Kingseat-Karaka had a population of 2,994 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 90 people (3.1%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 444 people (17.4%) since the 2013 census. There were 1,509 males, 1,470 females and 15 people of other genders in 1,017 dwellings. 2.7% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 43.2 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 588 people (19.6%) aged under 15 years, 465 (15.5%) aged 15 to 29, 1,440 (48.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 498 (16.6%) aged 65 or older.

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 80.3% European (Pākehā); 16.5% Māori; 4.0% Pasifika; 12.2% Asian; 1.1% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.1% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 96.0%, Māori language by 2.4%, Samoan by 0.6%, and other languages by 12.4%. No language could be spoken by 1.8% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.3%. The percentage of people born overseas was 20.1, compared with 28.8% nationally.

Religious affiliations were 30.5% Christian, 0.9% Hindu, 0.6% Islam, 1.3% Māori religious beliefs, 0.5% Buddhist, 0.3% New Age, and 2.8% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 54.8%, and 8.6% of people did not answer the census question.

Of those at least 15 years old, 591 (24.6%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 1,275 (53.0%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 546 (22.7%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $49,600, compared with $41,500 nationally. 504 people (20.9%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 1,287 (53.5%) people were employed full-time, 378 (15.7%) were part-time, and 60 (2.5%) were unemployed.

Economy

Karaka is now primarily a rural town associated with thoroughbred horse studs, dairy farming and sheep farming. Karaka is the location of the thoroughbred yearling sales at New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Sales Complex which is associated with the Karaka Million race meeting at Ellerslie. Westbury Stud and Haunui Farm are both located in Karaka.

Marae

The Whātāpaka Marae and its meeting house, named Tamaoho, is a traditional meeting ground for local Māori. Three Waikato Tainui hapū are associated with the marae, primarily Ngāti Tamaoho, and secondarily Ngāi Tai and Ngāti Koheriki.

Education

Karaka School and Te Hihi School are coeducational full primary schools (years 1–8) with rolls of and students, respectively. Karaka School celebrated its 75th jubilee in 1978. Te Hihi School opened in 1914.

Rolls are as of

Public secondary education is provided in the nearby towns of Papakura and Pukekohe.

References

References

1. "Franklin Local Board".
2. (1989). "Kauri Gum and the Gumdiggers". The Bush Press.
3. The Heritage Studio. (July 2017). "Franklin County Council Chambers (Former)". Auckland Council.
4. Bloomfield, Gerald Taylor. (1973). "The Evolution of Local Government Areas in Metropolitan Auckland, 1840-1971". Auckland University Press.
5. "Stats NZ Geographic Data Service".
6. {{NZ census 2018. Kingseat-Karaka (161400). kingseat-karaka. Kingseat-Karaka
7. "Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer.
8. "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer.
9. [http://www.tourism.net.nz/region/auckland/auckland---karaka/ Karaka, New Zealand tourism.net.nz] Retrieved December 2011
10. "Whātāpaka". Te Potiki National Trust.
11. "Ngāti Tamaoho: hapū and marae". [[Te Puni Kōkiri]].
12. {{TKI. 1325. Karaka School
13. {{TKI. 1532. Te Hihi School
14. "Collections record: A sense of history : Karaka School 75th jubilee, 3rd-5th March 1978". Auckland Museum.
15. "Welcome to Te Hihi School". Te Hihi School.