| Gordonton | |
| Settlement Type: | Town |
| Coordinates: | -37.67°N 175.304°W |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | New Zealand |
| Subdivision Type1: | Region |
| Subdivision Name1: | Waikato |
| Subdivision Type2: | District |
| Subdivision Name2: | Waikato District |
| Subdivision Type3: | Ward |
| Subdivision Name3: | Hukanui-Waerenga Ward |
| Leader Title: | Territorial Authority |
| Leader Name: | Waikato District Council |
| Leader Title1: | Regional council |
| Leader Name1: | Waikato Regional Council |
| Seat Type: | Electorates |
| Elevation M: | 26 |
| Area Total Km2: | 88.43 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Timezone: | NZST |
| Utc Offset: | +12 |
| Timezone Dst: | NZDT |
| Utc Offset Dst: | +13 |
Gordonton (Maori: Hukanui) is a village and rural community in the Waikato District and Waikato region of New Zealand's North Island. It is located southeast of Taupiri on State Highway 1B.[1]
The area was initially called Hukanui, which means "heavy frost" in the Māori language.[2] It was renamed to Gordonton after John Gordon, who was a manager for the New Zealand Land Association in the Waikato from 1886.[3]
The local Hukanui Marae is a meeting place of the local Waikato Tainui hapū of Ngāti Makirangi and Ngāti Wairere.[4] It includes Te Tuturu-a-Papa Kamutu meeting house.[5]
Kainui-Gordonton statistical area covers 88.43km2[6] and had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km2.
Kainui-Gordonton had a population of 1,734 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 105 people (6.4%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 237 people (15.8%) since the 2006 census. There were 549 households, comprising 873 males and 861 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.01 males per female. The median age was 35.8 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 435 people (25.1%) aged under 15 years, 306 (17.6%) aged 15 to 29, 813 (46.9%) aged 30 to 64, and 177 (10.2%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 82.2% European/Pākehā, 14.4% Māori, 3.1% Pacific peoples, 8.7% Asian, and 1.7% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 17.3, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 45.0% had no religion, 44.8% were Christian, 0.5% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.2% were Hindu, 1.6% were Buddhist and 2.2% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 312 (24.0%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 183 (14.1%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $40,100, compared with $31,800 nationally. 285 people (21.9%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 714 (55.0%) people were employed full-time, 225 (17.3%) were part-time, and 39 (3.0%) were unemployed.
Gordonton School is a co-educational state primary school covering years 1 to 8, with a roll of as of The school first opened in 1891, when it was called Hukanui, and shifted to its current site in 1961.[7]
Eastwest College of Intercultural Studies is a Category 1 Private Training Establishment established on the western side of Gordonton in 1996 by WEC Aotearoa New Zealand.[8] It is a Christian tertiary institute that offers both NZQA Level 5 and Level 6 diplomas in intercultural studies. WEC Aotearoa New Zealand headquarters is located next door.[9]
Woodlands is a homestead and Garden of National Significance, established in the 1870s. The gardens occupy eight hectares and are open to the public.[10]