Okuku is a small farming community located in North Canterbury, New Zealand, lying 20 kilometres northwest of Rangiora. Okuku consists of a mix of flat and undulating farmland, and river beds that drain a catchment area in the foothills to the north. Okuku is bounded to the south by the Ashley River / Rakahuri (the major river in the area), to the east by the Okuku River, and to the west by the Garry River. Mount Thomas is the highest point at a height of 1023m.[3]
Okuku | |
|---|---|
 Okuku countryside | |
 | |
| Coordinates: 43°14′46″S 172°27′07″E / 43.246°S 172.452°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Canterbury |
| Territorial authority | Waimakariri District |
| Ward |
|
| Community |
|
| Electorates | |
| Government | |
| • Territorial Authority | Waimakariri District Council |
| • Regional council | Environment Canterbury |
| • Mayor of Waimakariri | Dan Gordon |
| • Kaikoura/Waimakariri MPs | Stuart Smith/Matthew Doocey |
| • Te Tai Tonga MP | Tākuta Ferris |
| Area | |
| • Total | 834.79 km2 (322.31 sq mi) |
| Population (June 2023)[2] | |
| • Total | 810 |
| • Density | 0.97/km2 (2.5/sq mi) |
Demographics edit
The Okuku statistical area, which also includes Glentui, covers 838.79 km2 (323.86 sq mi).[1] It had an estimated population of 810 as of June 2023,[2] with a population density of 0.97 people per km2.
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 495 | — |
| 2013 | 648 | +3.92% |
| 2018 | 726 | +2.30% |
| Source: [4] | ||
Okuku had a population of 726 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 78 people (12.0%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 231 people (46.7%) since the 2006 census. There were 258 households, comprising 360 males and 363 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.99 males per female. The median age was 42.6 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 156 people (21.5%) aged under 15 years, 99 (13.6%) aged 15 to 29, 405 (55.8%) aged 30 to 64, and 66 (9.1%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 95.5% European/Pākehā, 3.3% Māori, 2.1% Pasifika, 0.8% Asian, and 2.1% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 16.9, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 61.2% had no religion, 28.1% were Christian and 1.2% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 99 (17.4%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 84 (14.7%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $39,400, compared with $31,800 nationally. 117 people (20.5%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 339 (59.5%) people were employed full-time, 96 (16.8%) were part-time, and 18 (3.2%) were unemployed.[4]
References edit
- ^ a b "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
- ^ a b "Population estimate tables - NZ.Stat". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
- ^ "New Zealand Topographic Map - NZ Topo Map". NZ Topo Map. Retrieved 30 October 2015.
- ^ a b "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Okuku (313000). 2018 Census place summary: Okuku