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
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. 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 since the 2018 census, and an increase of 24 people 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. There were 21 people aged under 15 years, 12 aged 15 to 29, 69 aged 30 to 64, and 27 aged 65 or older.
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 75.0% European, 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%. 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 people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 60 had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 33 people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $38,500, compared with $41,500 nationally. 9 people earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 54 full-time, 18 part-time, and 6 unemployed.
Turakina statistical area
Turakina statistical area, which also includes Koitiata, Rātana Pā and Whangaehu, covers 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 since the 2018 census, and an increase of 126 people 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. There were 270 people aged under 15 years, 207 aged 15 to 29, 654 aged 30 to 64, and 231 aged 65 or older.
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 66.1% European ; 40.3% Māori; 2.4% Pasifika; 2.4% Asian; 0.2% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders ; 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%. 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 people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 627 had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 297 people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $36,700, compared with $41,500 nationally. 87 people earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 555 full-time, 162 part-time, and 36 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.