Mōtū


Mōtū is a rural community in the Gisborne District of New Zealand's North Island. It is located north of Matawai and State Highway 2. The community is centred around Mōtū River and Mōtū Falls.

Demographics

Mōtū locality covers. It is part of the Waipaoa statistical area.
Mōtū had a population of 132 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 3 people since the 2018 census, and a decrease of 18 people since the 2013 census. There were 78 males and 57 females in 60 dwellings. The median age was 34.5 years. There were 24 people aged under 15 years, 30 aged 15 to 29, 63 aged 30 to 64, and 12 aged 65 or older.
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 79.5% European, and 36.4% Māori. English was spoken by 97.7%, and Māori by 4.5%. No language could be spoken by 4.5%. The percentage of people born overseas was 6.8, compared with 28.8% nationally.
Religious affiliations were 27.3% Christian, and 2.3% Māori religious beliefs. People who answered that they had no religion were 65.9%, and 9.1% of people did not answer the census question.
Of those at least 15 years old, 15 people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 75 had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 21 people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $38,400, compared with $41,500 nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 63 full-time and 15 part-time.

Education

Motu School is a Year 1–8 co-educational state primary school with a roll of students as of The school opened in 1895 in the kitchen of an accommodation house. It moved to its own premises in 1902, and moved again to its current location in 1955.

Climate

Mōtū has mild summers and frosty winters, with an average of 8 days rising above and 43 nights dropping below.