Kai Iwi

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Kai Iwi
Sea cliffs at Kai Iwi beach
Sea cliffs at Kai Iwi beach
Map
Interactive map of Kai Iwi
Coordinates: 39°53′06″S 174°54′04″E / 39.885°S 174.901°E / -39.885; 174.901
CountryNew Zealand
RegionManawatū-Whanganui
DistrictWhanganui District
CommunityWhanganui Rural Community
Electorates
Government
 • Territorial AuthorityWhanganui District Council
 • Regional councilHorizons Regional Council
 • Mayor of WhanganuiAndrew Tripe[1]
 • Whanganui MPCarl Bates[2]
 • Te Tai Hauāuru MPDebbie Ngarewa-Packer[3]
Area
[5]
 • Total
0.88 km2 (0.34 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2025)[4]
 • Total
200
 • Density230/km2 (590/sq mi)

Kai Iwi is a rural community west of Whanganui in New Zealand's North Island. It lies close to SH 3, approximately halfway between Whanganui and Waitotara. The population centre is at Kai Iwi Beach, also called Mowhanau.

The area was settled by Europeans in the 1880s.[6]

Other than farming, the community's largest industry is its honey factory, which was founded in 2003.[7]

Demographics

[edit]

Kai Iwi is described by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement. It covers 0.88 km2 (0.34 sq mi)[5] and had an estimated population of 200 as of June 2025,[4] with a population density of 227 people per km2. It is part of the larger Mowhanau statistical area.[8]

Historical population for Kai Iwi
YearPop.±% p.a.
2006168—    
2013135−3.08%
2018141+0.87%
2023192+6.37%
Source: [9][10]

Kai Iwi had a population of 192 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 51 people (36.2%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 57 people (42.2%) since the 2013 census. There were 105 males and 87 females in 69 dwellings.[11] 1.6% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 50.1 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 30 people (15.6%) aged under 15 years, 24 (12.5%) aged 15 to 29, 90 (46.9%) aged 30 to 64, and 48 (25.0%) aged 65 or older.[9]

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 92.2% European (Pākehā), 23.4% Māori, 1.6% Pasifika, 1.6% Asian, and 3.1% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 96.9%, Māori by 6.2%, Samoan by 1.6%, and other languages by 6.2%. No language could be spoken by 1.6% (e.g. too young to talk). The percentage of people born overseas was 9.4, compared with 28.8% nationally.[9]

Religious affiliations were 26.6% Christian, and 1.6% Māori religious beliefs. People who answered that they had no religion were 68.8%, and 3.1% of people did not answer the census question.[9]

Of those at least 15 years old, 36 (22.2%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 93 (57.4%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 30 (18.5%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $33,900, compared with $41,500 nationally. 18 people (11.1%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 60 (37.0%) full-time, 30 (18.5%) part-time, and 3 (1.9%) unemployed.[9]

Mowhanau statistical area

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Mowhanau statistical area, which also includes Pākaraka, covers 170.19 km2 (65.71 sq mi)[12] and had an estimated population of 1,460 as of June 2025,[13] with a population density of 8.6 people per km2.

Historical population for Mowhanau
YearPop.±% p.a.
20061,158—    
20131,302+1.69%
20181,293−0.14%
20231,407+1.70%
Source: [14][15]

Mowhanau had a population of 1,407 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 114 people (8.8%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 105 people (8.1%) since the 2013 census. There were 729 males, 675 females, and 3 people of other genders in 522 dwellings.[16] 2.1% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 46.1 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 267 people (19.0%) aged under 15 years, 195 (13.9%) aged 15 to 29, 666 (47.3%) aged 30 to 64, and 276 (19.6%) aged 65 or older.[14]

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 91.7% European (Pākehā); 16.4% Māori; 1.5% Pasifika; 2.1% Asian; 0.2% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 4.3% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 98.3%, Māori by 3.6%, Samoan by 0.2%, and other languages by 4.3%. No language could be spoken by 1.5% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 1.1%. The percentage of people born overseas was 11.1, compared with 28.8% nationally.[14]

Religious affiliations were 32.8% Christian, 0.6% Māori religious beliefs, 0.2% Buddhist, 0.4% New Age, and 0.4% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 58.8%, and 6.8% of people did not answer the census question.[14]

Of those at least 15 years old, 252 (22.1%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 639 (56.1%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 246 (21.6%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $41,300, compared with $41,500 nationally. 123 people (10.8%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 567 (49.7%) full-time, 198 (17.4%) part-time, and 24 (2.1%) unemployed.[14]

Marae

[edit]

Kai Iwi has three marae, affiliated with Ngāti Iti and the Ngā Rauru hapū of Ngāti Pūkeko: Te Aroha Marae and Te Kotahitanga meeting house; Kai Iwi Marae and Awhakaueroa meeting house; and Taipake Marae and Taipake meeting house.[17][18]

In October 2020, the Government committed $522,926 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade Te Ihupuku Marae, Waipapa Marae and Te Aroha Marae, creating 92 jobs.[19]

Water supply for Whanganui

[edit]

The Kai Iwi area has three artesian bores that are a major source of drinking water for Whanganui.[20]

Bushy Park Tarapuruhi

[edit]
Main article: Bushy Park (New Zealand)

Bushy Park Tarapuruhi is a protected native forest reserve and bird sanctuary located 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) inland from Kai Iwi on State Highway 3. The reserve has an area of approximately 100 hectares (250 acres), and includes a homestead that is a Category 1 listed historic place.[21]

Education

[edit]

Kai Iwi School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students,[22] with a roll of 89 as of July 2025.[23][24] The school opened in 1876.[25]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "2025 Triennial Elections Declaration of Result" (PDF). Electionz. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  2. ^ "Whanganui - Official Result". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
  3. ^ "Te Tai Hauāuru - Official Result". Retrieved 20 April 2025.
  4. ^ a b "Subnational population estimates - Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
  5. ^ a b "Stats NZ Geographic Data Service". Urban Rural 2023 (generalised). Retrieved 15 November 2025.
  6. ^ "Maxwell". Wanganui District Council. Retrieved 2 June 2012.
  7. ^ Kai Iwi Honey website.
  8. ^ "Geographic Boundary Viewer". Stats NZ. Urban Rural – 2023 and Statistical Area 2 – 2023.
  9. ^ a b c d e "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Kai Iwi (1340). Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  10. ^ "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. 7017655.
  11. ^ "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.
  12. ^ "Stats NZ Geographic Data Service". Statistical Area 2 2023 (generalised). Retrieved 15 November 2025.
  13. ^ "Subnational population estimates - Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
  14. ^ a b c d e "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Mowhanau (223400). Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  15. ^ "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Mowhanau (223400). 2018 Census place summary: Mowhanau
  16. ^ "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.
  17. ^ "Te Kāhui Māngai directory". tkm.govt.nz. Te Puni Kōkiri.
  18. ^ "Māori Maps". maorimaps.com. Te Potiki National Trust.
  19. ^ "Marae Announcements" (Excel). growregions.govt.nz. Provincial Growth Fund. 9 October 2020.
  20. ^ "Drinking water". www.whanganui.govt.nz. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  21. ^ "Kai Iwi". New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero. Heritage New Zealand. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  22. ^ Education Counts: Kai Iwi School
  23. ^ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
  24. ^ "Education Review Office Report". ero.govt.nz. Education Review Office.
  25. ^ Kai Iwi - Goat Valley Schools. Jubilee booklet, 1876-1956. Kai Iwi School. 1957.