| Paroa | |
| Area Total Km2: | 12.12 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | New Zealand |
| Subdivision Type1: | Region |
| Subdivision Name1: | West Coast |
| Subdivision Type2: | District |
| Subdivision Name2: | Grey District |
| Subdivision Type3: | Ward |
| Subdivision Name3: | Southern |
| Seat Type: | Electorates |
| Leader Title: | Territorial Authority |
| Leader Name: | Grey District Council |
| Leader Title1: | Regional council |
| Leader Name1: | West Coast Regional Council |
| Leader Title2: | Mayor of Grey |
| Leader Title3: | West Coast-Tasman MP |
| Leader Title4: | Te Tai Tonga MP |
| Coordinates: | -42.5108°N 171.1692°W |
| Blank Name: | Local iwi |
| Blank Info: | Ngāi Tahu |
Paroa is a settlement on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand, just south of Greymouth. and the Hokitika Branch railway both run through Paroa.[1] [2] This railway was originally a bush tramway that opened to Paroa from Greymouth in 1867 and was extended to Kumara in 1877.[3] It was converted into a railway in 1893, and this time, ran from Paroa to Hokitika rather than Kumara.[4]
The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "broad fortified village" for Pāroa.[5]
Shantytown, to the south-east of Paroa, is a recreation of a typical 1880s West Coast gold mining town, built in 1971 and operating as a commercial tourist attraction.[6]
Rutherglen-Camerons statistical area, which is larger than Paroa, covers 12.12km2.[7] It had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km2.
Rutherglen-Camerons had a population of 1,332 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 135 people (11.3%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 261 people (24.4%) since the 2006 census. There were 513 households, comprising 681 males and 654 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.04 males per female. The median age was 46.5 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 255 people (19.1%) aged under 15 years, 192 (14.4%) aged 15 to 29, 657 (49.3%) aged 30 to 64, and 231 (17.3%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 95.7% European/Pākehā, 8.8% Māori, 1.1% Pasifika, 2.3% Asian, and 0.7% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 10.4, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 50.7% had no religion, 40.8% were Christian, 0.2% were Buddhist and 0.7% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 138 (12.8%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 246 (22.8%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $37,500, compared with $31,800 nationally. 231 people (21.4%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 582 (54.0%) people were employed full-time, 183 (17.0%) were part-time, and 15 (1.4%) were unemployed.
Paroa School is a coeducational full primary (years 1-8) school with a decile rating of 6 and a roll of 172.[8] The school originally accepted year 1-6 pupils only, but changed to include year 7 and 8 students in 2001.[9]