Orautoha

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Orautoha
Rural community
Map
Coordinates: 39°19′48″S 175°13′59″E / 39.330°S 175.233°E / -39.330; 175.233
CountryNew Zealand
RegionManawatū-Whanganui
DistrictRuapehu District
Ward
  • Ruapehu General Ward
  • Ruapehu Māori Ward
CommunityWaimarino-Waiouru Community
Electorates
Government
 • Territorial AuthorityRuapehu District Council
 • Regional councilHorizons Regional Council
 • Mayor of RuapehuWeston Kirton[1]
 • Rangitīkei MPSuze Redmayne[2]
 • Te Tai Hauāuru MPDebbie Ngarewa-Packer[3]
Area
[4]
 • Total
67.60 km2 (26.10 sq mi)
Population
 (2023 Census)[5]
 • Total
126
 • Density1.86/km2 (4.83/sq mi)
Postcode(s)
4691

Orautoha is a valley and rural community in the Ruapehu District and Manawatū-Whanganui region of New Zealand's North Island.

Bill McNie was the original settler of the valley. McNie built a house in the valley in 1924, using newspaper as wallpaper. It later became workers' accommodation and then shearers' housing after his death in 1961, before being renovated into a rural bach his grand-nephew.[6] The bach, on an active beef and sheep farm, was voted one of the best in the country in 2017.[7]

The area currently consists of several farms on rugged land, with residents having to face regular electrical outages.[8]

Demographics

[edit]

Orautoha locality covers 67.60 km2 (26.10 sq mi).[4] It is part of the larger Tangiwai statistical area.[9]

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
2006162—    
2013129−3.20%
2018132+0.46%
2023126−0.93%
Source: [5][10]

Orautoha had a population of 126 in the 2023 New Zealand census, a decrease of 6 people (−4.5%) since the 2018 census, and a decrease of 3 people (−2.3%) since the 2013 census. There were 75 males and 54 females in 54 dwellings.[11] The median age was 50.9 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 21 people (16.7%) aged under 15 years, 9 (7.1%) aged 15 to 29, 60 (47.6%) aged 30 to 64, and 36 (28.6%) aged 65 or older.[5]

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 83.3% European (Pākehā), 26.2% Māori, 7.1% Pasifika, 2.4% Asian, and 4.8% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 95.2%, Māori by 4.8%, and other languages by 2.4%. No language could be spoken by 4.8% (e.g. too young to talk). The percentage of people born overseas was 7.1, compared with 28.8% nationally.[5]

Religious affiliations were 28.6% Christian, 2.4% Hindu, and 4.8% Māori religious beliefs. People who answered that they had no religion were 57.1%, and 7.1% of people did not answer the census question.[5]

Of those at least 15 years old, 15 (14.3%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 60 (57.1%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 30 (28.6%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $44,400, compared with $41,500 nationally. 18 people (17.1%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 57 (54.3%) full-time, 24 (22.9%) part-time, and 3 (2.9%) unemployed.[5]

Education

[edit]

Orautoha School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students,[12] with a roll of 58 as of July 2025.[13][14] It opened in 1908.[15]

In 2019, students from the school helped plant a new walkway along Makotuku River.[16]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "2025 Triennial Elections Declaration of Result" (PDF). Electionz. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
  2. ^ "Rangitīkei - Official Result". electionresults. Electoral Commission. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
  3. ^ "Te Tai Hauāuru - Official Result". Retrieved 20 April 2025.
  4. ^ a b "Stats NZ Geographic Data Service". Statistical Area 1 2023 (generalised). Retrieved 14 November 2025.
  5. ^ a b c d e f "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. 7017614. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  6. ^ McDonald, Dani (26 December 2017). "New Zealand's best bach review: Uncle Bill's Cottage, Ohakune". Stuff.
  7. ^ Thornber, Lorna (20 October 2017). "Bach of the Year finalists revealed". Stuff.
  8. ^ Brook, Liz (4 December 2009). "Up the Orautoha". Fairfax New Zealand. Manawatu Standard.
  9. ^ "Geographic Boundary Viewer". Stats NZ. Statistical Area 1 – 2023 and Statistical Area 2 – 2023.
  10. ^ "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. 7017614.
  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. ^ "Ministry of Education School Profile". educationcounts.govt.nz. Ministry of Education.
  13. ^ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
  14. ^ "Education Review Office Report". ero.govt.nz. Education Review Office.
  15. ^ "Aboutt Us". Otautoha School. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
  16. ^ Stowell, Laurel (31 August 2019). "New walkway built along Raetihi's Makotuku River". New Zealand Media and Entertainment. Whanganui Chronicle.