Turakina, New Zealand

History and culture

Pre-European history

The original inhabitants of the area were the descendants of the Kahui Rere and the Kahui Maunga, later naming themselves Ngā Wairiki. However, after the migration of Ngāti Apa from the Bay of Plenty toward Rotoaira then south to the Rangitikei river, they found themselves slowly being taken over by generations of intermarriage with the latter tribe.

The hapū of Ngā Āriki still live in Turakina.

European settlement

Scottish settlers arrived in the area in the 19th century, and their descendants still live there to the present day. Many Māori families intermarried with the Scottish also.

Celtic feeling is still strong in Turakina. For example, Highland games are held every year late January, attracting many from around New Zealand.

Marae

The local Tini Waitara Marae and Te Horo Taraipi meeting house is a traditional meeting place of Ngāti Apa.

Demographics

Turakina locality covers 4.96 km2. It is part of the larger Turakina statistical area.

Turakina had a population of 132 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 33 people (33.3%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 24 people (22.2%) since the 2013 census. There were 69 males and 63 females in 57 dwellings. 2.3% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 53.0 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 21 people (15.9%) aged under 15 years, 12 (9.1%) aged 15 to 29, 69 (52.3%) aged 30 to 64, and 27 (20.5%) aged 65 or older.

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 75.0% European (Pākehā), 25.0% Māori, 4.5% Asian, and 4.5% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 95.5%, Māori by 6.8%, and other languages by 4.5%. No language could be spoken by 2.3% (e.g. too young to talk). The percentage of people born overseas was 11.4, compared with 28.8% nationally.

Religious affiliations were 31.8% Christian, 4.5% Hindu, 6.8% Māori religious beliefs, and 2.3% New Age. People who answered that they had no religion were 45.5%, and 13.6% of people did not answer the census question.

Of those at least 15 years old, 21 (18.9%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 60 (54.1%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 33 (29.7%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $38,500, compared with $41,500 nationally. 9 people (8.1%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 54 (48.6%) full-time, 18 (16.2%) part-time, and 6 (5.4%) unemployed.

Turakina statistical area

Turakina statistical area, which also includes Koitiata, Rātana Pā and Whangaehu, covers 276.62 km2 and had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km2.

Turakina had a population of 1,362 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 108 people (8.6%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 126 people (10.2%) since the 2013 census. There were 678 males, 681 females, and 3 people of other genders in 501 dwellings. 2.4% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 43.2 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 270 people (19.8%) aged under 15 years, 207 (15.2%) aged 15 to 29, 654 (48.0%) aged 30 to 64, and 231 (17.0%) aged 65 or older.

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 66.1% European (Pākehā); 40.3% Māori; 2.4% Pasifika; 2.4% Asian; 0.2% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 1.8% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 96.0%, Māori by 14.8%, Samoan by 0.9%, and other languages by 3.3%. No language could be spoken by 2.6% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.9%. The percentage of people born overseas was 7.7, compared with 28.8% nationally.

Religious affiliations were 28.9% Christian, 0.4% Hindu, 0.2% Islam, 25.8% Māori religious beliefs, 0.4% New Age, and 0.2% Jewish. People who answered that they had no religion were 37.2%, and 7.3% of people did not answer the census question.

Of those at least 15 years old, 168 (15.4%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 627 (57.4%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 297 (27.2%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $36,700, compared with $41,500 nationally. 87 people (8.0%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 555 (50.8%) full-time, 162 (14.8%) part-time, and 36 (3.3%) unemployed.

Education

Turakina School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students, with a roll of as of While a primary school was founded in Turakina in 1857, the school celebrated its centenary in 1959.

Turakina Māori Girls' College was established at Turakina in 1905. It moved to Marton in 1927, and closed in 2016.

References

References

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7. {{NZ census 2018. 7017976
8. "Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer.
9. "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer.
10. "Stats NZ Geographic Data Service".
11. {{NZ census 2018. Turakina (226300). turakina. Turakina
12. "Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer.
13. "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer.
14. "Official School Website".
15. "Ministry of Education School Profile". [[Ministry of Education (New Zealand).
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17. Butchers, A G. (1929). "Young New Zealand : a history of the early contact of the Māori race with the European, and of the establishment of a national system of education for both races".
18. Howlett, Charles Raymond. (1959). "Turakina : the centenary of a country school".
19. (March 11, 1939). "Memorial Library". [[The Evening Post (New Zealand)]].
20. (October 28, 1927). "Maori Girls' College". [[The Evening Post (New Zealand)]].
21. Thomson, Nick. (31 January 2016). "Scholarship for history of Turakina Maori Girls' College". [[Presbyterian Church of New Zealand]].