| Awapuni | |||||
| City1: | Gisborne | ||||
| Ward: | Tairāwhiti General Ward | ||||
| Council: | Gisborne District Council | ||||
| Coordinates: | -38.6676°N 178.0003°W | ||||
| Area: | 869 | ||||
| Airports: | Gisborne Airport | ||||
| Map: |
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Awapuni is a suburb of the New Zealand city of Gisborne, located in the southwest of the city.[1] It is named after the Awapuni lagoon, where the Waipaoa River runs into the ocean.[2] The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "blocked-up river" for Awapuni.[3]
The local Awapuni Pā, also known as Te Kuri a Tuatai, is a tribal meeting place of the Rongowhakaata hapū of Ruapani, Ngāi Tāwhiri and Te Whānau a Iwi.[4] It includes the Whareroa meeting house.[5]
The statistical area of Makaraka-Awapuni, which also includes Makaraka, covers 8.69km2[6] and had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km2.
Makaraka-Awapuni had a population of 969 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 141 people (17.0%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 105 people (12.2%) since the 2006 census. There were 345 households, comprising 504 males and 465 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.08 males per female. The median age was 44.6 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 171 people (17.6%) aged under 15 years, 159 (16.4%) aged 15 to 29, 459 (47.4%) aged 30 to 64, and 180 (18.6%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 74.0% European/Pākehā, 38.1% Māori, 3.7% Pacific peoples, 3.4% Asian, and 2.2% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 11.5, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 50.5% had no religion, 35.0% were Christian, 2.5% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.6% were Hindu, 0.6% were Buddhist and 2.2% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 117 (14.7%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 186 (23.3%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $29,400, compared with $31,800 nationally. 102 people (12.8%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 417 (52.3%) people were employed full-time, 111 (13.9%) were part-time, and 27 (3.4%) were unemployed.
Awapuni has three sports grounds: Awapuni Stadium, the Oval Reserve cricket and rugby ground, and Watson Park.[7]
Midway Beach includes a beach, barbecue area, horse riding area, jet skiing area, kite surfing area, dog walking area, and the Kopututea Sand Dunes.
Adventure Playground includes a picnic area and public toilets.
Awapuni School is a Year 1–6 co-educational state primary school[8] [9] with a roll of as of [10]