Awapuni is a suburb of the New Zealand city of Gisborne, located in the southwest of the city.[3] It is named after the Awapuni lagoon, where the Waipaoa River runs into the ocean.[4] The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "blocked-up river" for Awapuni.[5]

Awapuni
Map
Coordinates: 38°40′03″S 178°00′01″E / 38.6676°S 178.0003°E / -38.6676; 178.0003
CountryNew Zealand
CityGisborne
Local authorityGisborne District Council
Electoral wardTairāwhiti General Ward
Area
 • Land869 ha (2,147 acres)
Population
 (June 2024)[2]
 • Total
1,090
AirportsGisborne Airport
Makaraka Elgin Gisborne Central
Awapuni
Victoria
(Poverty Bay)

The local Awapuni Pā, also known as Te Kuri a Tuatai, is a tribal meeting place of the Rongowhakaata hapū of Ruapani, Ngāi Tāwhiri and Te Whānau a Iwi.[6] It includes the Whareroa meeting house.[7]

Demographics

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The statistical area of Makaraka-Awapuni, which also includes Makaraka, covers 8.69 km2 (3.36 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 1,090 as of June 2024,[2] with a population density of 126 people per km2.

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
2006864—    
2013828−0.61%
2018969 3.20%
Source: [8]

Makaraka-Awapuni had a population of 969 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 141 people (17.0%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 105 people (12.2%) since the 2006 census. There were 345 households, comprising 504 males and 465 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.08 males per female. The median age was 44.6 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 171 people (17.6%) aged under 15 years, 159 (16.4%) aged 15 to 29, 459 (47.4%) aged 30 to 64, and 180 (18.6%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 74.0% European/Pākehā, 38.1% Māori, 3.7% Pacific peoples, 3.4% Asian, and 2.2% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 11.5, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 50.5% had no religion, 35.0% were Christian, 2.5% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.6% were Hindu, 0.6% were Buddhist and 2.2% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 117 (14.7%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 186 (23.3%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $29,400, compared with $31,800 nationally. 102 people (12.8%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 417 (52.3%) people were employed full-time, 111 (13.9%) were part-time, and 27 (3.4%) were unemployed.[8]

Parks

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Awapuni has three sports grounds: Awapuni Stadium, the Oval Reserve cricket and rugby ground, and Watson Park.[9]

Midway Beach includes a beach, barbecue area, horse riding area, jet skiing area, kite surfing area, dog walking area, and the Kopututea Sand Dunes.[9]

Adventure Playground includes a picnic area and public toilets.[9]

Education

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Awapuni School is a Year 1–6 co-educational state primary school[10][11] with a roll of 291 as of August 2024.[12][13]

References

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  1. ^ a b "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  3. ^ Hariss, Gavin. "Awapuni, Gisborne". topomap.co.nz. NZ Topo Map.
  4. ^ Grant-Taylor, Thomas Ludovic (1966). "Waipaoa River". teara.govt.nz. Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand.
  5. ^ "1000 Māori place names". New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage. 6 August 2019.
  6. ^ "Māori Maps". maorimaps.com. Te Potiki National Trust.
  7. ^ "Te Kāhui Māngai directory". tkm.govt.nz. Te Puni Kōkiri.
  8. ^ a b "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Makaraka-Awapuni (205600). 2018 Census place summary: Makaraka-Awapuni
  9. ^ a b c "Gisborne Parks and Reserves". gdc.govt.nz. Gisborne District Council.
  10. ^ "Awapuni School Official School Website". awapuni.school.nz.
  11. ^ "Awapuni School Education Review Office Report". ero.govt.nz. Education Review Office.
  12. ^ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  13. ^ "Awapuni School Ministry of Education School Profile". educationcounts.govt.nz. Ministry of Education.