Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 24, 2026

Kakaramea

Kakaramea is a town in South Taranaki, New Zealand. State Highway 3 passes through it. Pātea is about 6 km to the south-east, and Hāwera is about 20 km to the north-west.

Last revised
Jul 24, 2026
Read time
≈ 3 min
Length
686 w
Citations
22
Source
Wikipedia ↗
Kakaramea
Map
Interactive map of Kakaramea
Coordinates: 39°42′34″S 174°26′56″E / 39.70944°S 174.44889°E / -39.70944; 174.44889
CountryNew Zealand
RegionTaranaki
DistrictSouth Taranaki District
Ward
  • Pātea General Ward
  • Te Tai Tonga Māori Ward
CommunityPātea Community
Electorates
Government
 • Territorial AuthoritySouth Taranaki District Council
 • Regional councilTaranaki Regional Council
 • Mayor of South TaranakiPhil Nixon1
 • Whanganui MPCarl Bates2
 • Te Tai Hauāuru MPDebbie Ngarewa-Packer3
Area
5
 • Total
29.97 km2 (11.57 sq mi)
Population
 (2023 census)4
 • Total
219
 • Density7.31/km2 (18.9/sq mi)

Kakaramea is a town in South Taranaki, New Zealand. State Highway 3 passes through it. Pātea is about 6 km to the south-east, and Hāwera is about 20 km to the north-west.67

Demographics

Kakaramea locality covers 29.97 km2 (11.57 sq mi).5 The locality is part of the larger Manutahi-Waitōtora statistical area.8

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
2006237—    
2013252+0.88%
2018225−2.24%
2023219−0.54%
Source: 49

Kakaramea had a population of 219 in the 2023 New Zealand census, a decrease of 6 people (−2.7%) since the 2018 census, and a decrease of 33 people (−13.1%) since the 2013 census. There were 117 males and 102 females in 87 dwellings.10 1.4% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. There were 45 people (20.5%) aged under 15 years, 48 (21.9%) aged 15 to 29, 99 (45.2%) aged 30 to 64, and 24 (11.0%) aged 65 or older.4

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 79.5% European (Pākehā), 31.5% Māori, 1.4% Pasifika, and 2.7% Asian. English was spoken by 95.9%, Māori by 9.6%, and other languages by 2.7%. No language could be spoken by 4.1% (e.g. too young to talk). The percentage of people born overseas was 6.8, compared with 28.8% nationally.4

Religious affiliations were 26.0% Christian, 2.7% Māori religious beliefs, 1.4% Buddhist, 2.7% New Age, and 1.4% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 58.9%, and 8.2% of people did not answer the census question.4

Of those at least 15 years old, 12 (6.9%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 108 (62.1%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 54 (31.0%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. 15 people (8.6%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 84 (48.3%) full-time, 27 (15.5%) part-time, and 12 (6.9%) unemployed.4

Marae

The local Pariroa Marae is a traditional meeting ground for the Ngāti Ruanui hapū of Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Kōtuku, Ngāti Ringi, Ngāti Tūpito and Tuatahi.11 It features the Taiporohēnui meeting house.12

In October 2020, the Government committed $1,479,479 from the Provincial Growth Fund to renovate Meremere Marae, Ketemarae Pā, Pariroa Marae and Taiporohēnui Marae, creating 35 jobs.13

Education

Kakaramea School is a coeducational contributing primary (years 1–6) school with a decile rating of 514 and a roll of 6015 (March 2026). The school and district celebrated their 125th anniversary in 2001.16

References

References

  1. "Declaration of Results of Election and Poll" (PDF). South Taranaki District Council. 17 October 2025.
  2. "Whanganui - Official Result". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
  3. "Te Tai Hauāuru - Official Result". Retrieved 20 April 2025.
  4. "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. 7017533 and 7017534. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  5. "Stats NZ Geographic Data Service". Statistical Area 1 2023 (generalised). Retrieved 31 October 2025.
  6. Peter Dowling, ed. (2004), Reed New Zealand Atlas, Reed Books, pp. map 44, ISBN 0-7900-0952-8
  7. Roger Smith, GeographX (2005), The Geographic Atlas of New Zealand, Robbie Burton, pp. map 97, ISBN 1-877333-20-4
  8. "Geographic Boundary Viewer". Stats NZ. Statistical Area 1 – 2023 and Statistical Area 2 – 2023.
  9. "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. 7017533 and 7017534.
  10. "Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  11. "Te Kāhui Māngai directory". tkm.govt.nz. Te Puni Kōkiri.
  12. "Māori Maps". maorimaps.com. Te Potiki National Trust.
  13. "Marae Announcements" (Excel). growregions.govt.nz. Provincial Growth Fund. 9 October 2020.
  14. "Kakaramea School - Education Counts". www.educationcounts.govt.nz.
  15. "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
  16. "Jubilees & reunions: Kakaramea School and District", Education Gazette New Zealand, 79 (19), 23 October 2000