Putorino
Putorino is a small farming settlement in northern Hawke's Bay, on the eastern side of New Zealand's North Island. It is located on State Highway 2 between Tutira and Mohaka, on the Hastings side of the border between Hastings and Wairoa.
Pūtōrino was originally a Māori settlement at the mouth of the Waikari River, at an important stopping point for canoes. It became a European settlement in the 1860s, and moved inland to the main Napier to Wairoa Road in the early 20th century. The modern village includes a hotel and sports centre.
Flooding during Cyclone Gabrielle destroyed the State Highway 2 bridge over the river at Putorino. It was replaced by a Bailey bridge. In August-September 2025, the Bailey bridge was replaced by a wider and stronger Acrow bridge.
Demographics
Putorino and its surrounds cover. It is part of the Puketitiri-Tutira statistical area.Putorino had a population of 78 in the 2023 New Zealand census, unchanged since the 2018 census, and a decrease of 21 people since the 2013 census. There were 42 males and 36 females in 30 dwellings. The median age was 39.2 years. There were 12 people aged under 15 years, 15 aged 15 to 29, 42 aged 30 to 64, and 12 aged 65 or older.
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 96.2% European, and 19.2% Māori. English was the only language spoken. The percentage of people born overseas was 7.7, compared with 28.8% nationally.
The only religious affiliation given was 23.1% Christian. People who answered that they had no religion were 69.2%, and 7.7% of people did not answer the census question.
Of those at least 15 years old, 9 people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 36 had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 18 people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $35,200, compared with $41,500 nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 36 full-time and 15 part-time.