Waikeria
Waikeria is a rural community in the Ōtorohanga District and Waikato region of New Zealand's North Island.
Waikeria Prison, one of New Zealand's largest prisons, is located on a site on Waikeria Road.
The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "dug-out water" for Waikeria.
Marae
The local Whakamārama Marae is a meeting place of the Ngāti Raukawa hapū of Ngāti Puehutore. It includes Te Rangimoeakau meeting house.Demographics
Waikeria locality, including the prison, covers. Waikeria is part of the larger Puniu statistical area.7013018 had a population of 588 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 54 people since the 2018 census, and an increase of 114 people since the 2013 census. The gender ratio is distorted by the prison population. There were 474 males, 108 females, and 3 people of other genders in 75 dwellings. 3.6% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. There were 42 people aged under 15 years, 81 aged 15 to 29, 402 aged 30 to 64, and 60 aged 65 or older.
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 59.7% European ; 48.0% Māori; 8.7% Pasifika; 3.6% Asian; 1.0% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders ; and 4.1% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 96.9%, Māori by 13.8%, Samoan by 1.5%, and other languages by 4.6%. No language could be spoken by 0.5%. New Zealand Sign Language was known by 1.0%. The percentage of people born overseas was 9.2, compared with 28.8% nationally.
Religious affiliations were 25.0% Christian, 0.5% Hindu, 1.0% Islam, 11.2% Māori religious beliefs, 0.5% Buddhist, 1.0% New Age, and 2.6% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 55.6%, and 4.6% of people did not answer the census question.
Of those at least 15 years old, 39 people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 348 had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 165 people exclusively held high school qualifications. 18 people earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 189 full-time, 60 part-time, and 27 unemployed.
Puniu statistical area
Puniu statistical area covers and had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km2.Puniu had a population of 1,587 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 99 people since the 2018 census, and an increase of 180 people since the 2013 census. There were 1,011 males, 570 females, and 6 people of other genders in 438 dwellings. 2.3% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 37.9 years. There were 291 people aged under 15 years, 258 aged 15 to 29, 867 aged 30 to 64, and 171 aged 65 or older.
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 76.6% European ; 29.3% Māori; 4.5% Pasifika; 4.9% Asian; 0.6% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders ; and 3.2% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 96.4%, Māori by 7.2%, Samoan by 0.9%, and other languages by 6.0%. No language could be spoken by 1.9%. New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.8%. The percentage of people born overseas was 12.3, compared with 28.8% nationally.
Religious affiliations were 25.7% Christian, 0.8% Hindu, 0.6% Islam, 4.3% Māori religious beliefs, 0.2% Buddhist, 0.6% New Age, and 2.5% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 59.7%, and 6.4% of people did not answer the census question.
Of those at least 15 years old, 156 people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 780 had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 360 people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $28,600, compared with $41,500 nationally. 96 people earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 654 full-time, 165 part-time, and 39 unemployed.