Kai Iwi
Kai Iwi is a rural community west of Whanganui in New Zealand's North Island. It lies close to SH 3, approximately halfway between Whanganui and Waitotara. The population centre is at Kai Iwi Beach, also called Mowhanau.
The area was settled by Europeans in the 1880s.
Other than farming, the community's largest industry is its honey factory, which was founded in 2003.
Demographics
Kai Iwi is described by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement. It covers and had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km2. It is part of the larger Mowhanau statistical area.Kai Iwi had a population of 192 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 51 people since the 2018 census, and an increase of 57 people since the 2013 census. There were 105 males and 87 females in 69 dwellings. 1.6% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 50.1 years. There were 30 people aged under 15 years, 24 aged 15 to 29, 90 aged 30 to 64, and 48 aged 65 or older.
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 92.2% European, 23.4% Māori, 1.6% Pasifika, 1.6% Asian, and 3.1% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 96.9%, Māori by 6.2%, Samoan by 1.6%, and other languages by 6.2%. No language could be spoken by 1.6%. The percentage of people born overseas was 9.4, compared with 28.8% nationally.
Religious affiliations were 26.6% Christian, and 1.6% Māori religious beliefs. People who answered that they had no religion were 68.8%, and 3.1% of people did not answer the census question.
Of those at least 15 years old, 36 people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 93 had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 30 people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $33,900, compared with $41,500 nationally. 18 people earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 60 full-time, 30 part-time, and 3 unemployed.
Mowhanau statistical area
Mowhanau statistical area, which also includes Pākaraka, covers and had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km2.Mowhanau had a population of 1,407 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 114 people since the 2018 census, and an increase of 105 people since the 2013 census. There were 729 males, 675 females, and 3 people of other genders in 522 dwellings. 2.1% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 46.1 years. There were 267 people aged under 15 years, 195 aged 15 to 29, 666 aged 30 to 64, and 276 aged 65 or older.
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 91.7% European ; 16.4% Māori; 1.5% Pasifika; 2.1% Asian; 0.2% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders ; and 4.3% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 98.3%, Māori by 3.6%, Samoan by 0.2%, and other languages by 4.3%. No language could be spoken by 1.5%. New Zealand Sign Language was known by 1.1%. The percentage of people born overseas was 11.1, compared with 28.8% nationally.
Religious affiliations were 32.8% Christian, 0.6% Māori religious beliefs, 0.2% Buddhist, 0.4% New Age, and 0.4% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 58.8%, and 6.8% of people did not answer the census question.
Of those at least 15 years old, 252 people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 639 had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 246 people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $41,300, compared with $41,500 nationally. 123 people earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 567 full-time, 198 part-time, and 24 unemployed.
Marae
Kai Iwi has three marae, affiliated with Ngāti Iti and the Ngā Rauru hapū of Ngāti Pūkeko: Te Aroha Marae and Te Kotahitanga meeting house; Kai Iwi Marae and Awhakaueroa meeting house; and Taipake Marae and Taipake meeting house.In October 2020, the Government committed $522,926 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade Te Ihupuku Marae, Waipapa Marae and Te Aroha Marae, creating 92 jobs.