Raurimu

Raurimu
T-rex sculpture made of driftwood
T-rex sculpture made of driftwood
Map
Interactive map of Raurimu
Coordinates: 39°07′26″S 175°23′31″E / 39.124°S 175.392°E / -39.124; 175.392
CountryNew Zealand
RegionManawatū-Whanganui
DistrictRuapehu District
Ward
  • Ruapehu General Ward
  • Ruapehu Māori Ward
CommunityŌwhango-National Park Community
Electorate
Government
 • Territorial AuthorityRuapehu District Council
 • Regional councilHorizons Regional Council
 • Mayor of RuapehuWeston Kirton[3]
 • Rangitīkei MPSuze Redmayne[4]
 • Te Tai Hauāuru MPDebbie Ngarewa-Packer[5]
Area
 • Total
0.88 km2 (0.34 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2025)[1]
 • Total
90
 • Density100/km2 (260/sq mi)

Raurimu is a settlement in Ruapehu District, New Zealand. State Highway 4 passes through it, and the North Island Main Trunk railway line runs to the east.[6] The Raurimu Spiral, which allows the railway to climb 139 metres, is described as an engineering masterpiece by the Institute of Professional Engineers of New Zealand.[7]

Raurimu railway station served the town from 1906 until its closure in 1978.[8]

A life-size driftwood sculpture of a Tyrannosaurus rex stands at the corner of Keitieke Road and State Highway 4.[9]

Demographics

[edit]

Raurimu is described by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement. It covers 0.88 km2 (0.34 sq mi)[2] and had an estimated population of 90 as of June 2025,[1] with a population density of 102 people per km2. It is part of the larger National Park statistical area.[10]

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
200663—    
201363+0.00%
201869+1.84%
202384+4.01%
Source: [11][12]

Raurimu had a population of 84 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 15 people (21.7%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 21 people (33.3%) since the 2013 census. There were 48 males and 36 females in 36 dwellings.[13] 3.6% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 43.1 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 18 people (21.4%) aged under 15 years, 12 (14.3%) aged 15 to 29, 39 (46.4%) aged 30 to 64, and 15 (17.9%) aged 65 or older.[11]

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 96.4% European (Pākehā), 7.1% Māori, and 3.6% Asian. English was spoken by 100.0%, Māori by 3.6%, and other languages by 10.7%. No language could be spoken by 3.6% (e.g. too young to talk). The percentage of people born overseas was 21.4, compared with 28.8% nationally.[11]

Religious affiliations were 42.9% Christian, 3.6% New Age, and 3.6% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 46.4%, and 7.1% of people did not answer the census question.[11]

Of those at least 15 years old, 15 (22.7%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 36 (54.5%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 15 (22.7%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $35,600, compared with $41,500 nationally. 3 people (4.5%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 33 (50.0%) full-time, 9 (13.6%) part-time, and 3 (4.5%) unemployed.[11]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Subnational population estimates - Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
  2. ^ a b "Stats NZ Geographic Data Service". Urban Rural 2023 (generalised). Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  3. ^ "2025 Triennial Elections Declaration of Result" (PDF). Electionz. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
  4. ^ "Rangitīkei - Official Result". electionresults. Electoral Commission. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
  5. ^ "Te Tai Hauāuru - Official Result". Retrieved 20 April 2025.
  6. ^ Harriss, Gavin (August 2022). Raurimu, Manawatu-Wanganui (Map). NZ Topo Map.
  7. ^ "Raurimu Spiral". IPENZ. Archived from the original on 2 August 2012.
  8. ^ Scoble, Juliet. "Names & Opening & Closing Dates of Railway Stations in New Zealand" (PDF).
  9. ^ Collis, Ashleigh (4 May 2018). "Making natural art out of driftwood". Horowhenua Chronicle.
  10. ^ "Geographic Boundary Viewer". Stats NZ. Urban Rural – 2023 and Statistical Area 2 – 2023.
  11. ^ 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. Raurimu (1334). Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  12. ^ "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. 7017609.
  13. ^ "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.