Parewanui

The area was named for Parewanui Pā, one of several populated by Ngāti Apa in the early 19th century.[1] The pā site was purchased by the government as part of the Rangitikei Manawatū block in 1866.[2]

A Parewanui School flourished by 1885[3] but closed at the beginning of 2003.[4]

The Parewanui statistical area, which covers 265.96 km² (102.69 sq mi),[6] had a population of 855 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 6 people (0.7%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 69 people (8.8%) since the 2006 census. There were 315 households. There were 429 males and 429 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.0 males per female. The median age was 40.5 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 189 people (22.1%) aged under 15 years, 129 (15.1%) aged 15 to 29, 435 (50.9%) aged 30 to 64, and 105 (12.3%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 93.3% European/Pākehā, 15.1% Māori, 1.4% Pacific peoples, 0.7% Asian, and 1.8% other ethnicities (totals add to more than 100% since people could identify with multiple ethnicities).

The proportion of people born overseas was 9.1%, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people objected to giving their religion, 58.2% had no religion, 32.6% were Christian and 3.5% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 93 (14.0%) people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 147 (22.1%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $36,000, compared with $31,800 nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 384 (57.7%) people were employed full-time, 96 (14.4%) were part-time, and 21 (3.2%) were unemployed.[5]

• Flock House