Okuku, New Zealand Explained

Okuku
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:New Zealand
Subdivision Type1:Region
Subdivision Name1:Canterbury
Subdivision Type2:Territorial authority
Subdivision Name2:Waimakariri District
Subdivision Type3:Ward
Subdivision Type4:Community
Seat Type:Electorates
Leader Title:Territorial Authority
Leader Name:Waimakariri District Council
Leader Title1:Regional council
Leader Name1:Environment Canterbury
Leader Title2:Mayor of Waimakariri
Leader Title3:Kaikoura/Waimakariri MPs
Leader Name3:/
Leader Title4:Te Tai Tonga MP
Area Total Km2:834.79
Population Density Km2:auto
Coordinates:-43.246°N 172.452°W

Okuku is a small farming community located in North Canterbury, New Zealand, lying 20 kilometres northwest of Rangiora. Okuku consists of a mix of flat and undulating farmland, and river beds that drain a catchment area in the foothills to the north. Okuku is bounded to the south by the Ashley River / Rakahuri (the major river in the area), to the east by the Okuku River, and to the west by the Garry River. Mount Thomas is the highest point at a height of 1023m.[1]

Demographics

The Okuku statistical area, which also includes Glentui, covers 838.79km2.[2] It had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km2.

Okuku had a population of 726 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 78 people (12.0%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 231 people (46.7%) since the 2006 census. There were 258 households, comprising 360 males and 363 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.99 males per female. The median age was 42.6 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 156 people (21.5%) aged under 15 years, 99 (13.6%) aged 15 to 29, 405 (55.8%) aged 30 to 64, and 66 (9.1%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 95.5% European/Pākehā, 3.3% Māori, 2.1% Pasifika, 0.8% Asian, and 2.1% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 16.9, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 61.2% had no religion, 28.1% were Christian and 1.2% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 99 (17.4%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 84 (14.7%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $39,400, compared with $31,800 nationally. 117 people (20.5%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 339 (59.5%) people were employed full-time, 96 (16.8%) were part-time, and 18 (3.2%) were unemployed.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: New Zealand Topographic Map - NZ Topo Map. NZ Topo Map. 2015-10-30.
  2. Web site: ArcGIS Web Application. 9 January 2024. statsnz.maps.arcgis.com.