Pukehangi

Pukehangi is a western suburb of Rotorua in the Bay of Plenty Region of New Zealand's North Island.

Pukehangi
Suburb
Country	New Zealand
Local authority	Rotorua Lakes
Electoral ward	West
Population  (2018)[1]
• Total	5,277

		Western Heights
Ngongotahā Valley	Pukehangi	Mangakakahi
Fordlands	Sunnybrook

History

In 2017, Rotorua District Council identified Pukehangi as a key area for future residential development.[2] An 89-section subdivision and a 33-section subdivsion were both announced that year.[3] More sections were due to become available in 2019.[4]

In December 2018, landowners of farmland west of the suburb sought planning consent to develop new residential areas.[5] The plan change was approved by the Rotorua District Council and Ministry for the Environment during 2019.[6][7] It was opened up it to public submissions in January 2020.[7]

In 2019, a Pukehangi rental home was the subject of a 7-month legal dispute between a landlord and tenant, which ended with the High Court terminating the tenancy.[8]

Demographics

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
2006	4,941	—
2013	4,887	−0.16%
2018	5,277	+1.55%
Source: [1]

Pukehangi, comprising the statistical areas of Pukehangi North and Pukehangi South, had a population of 5,277 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 390 people (8.0%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 336 people (6.8%) since the 2006 census. There were 1,758 households. There were 2,496 males and 2,778 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.9 males per female, with 1,362 people (25.8%) aged under 15 years, 1,080 (20.5%) aged 15 to 29, 2,151 (40.8%) aged 30 to 64, and 684 (13.0%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 65.5% European/Pākehā, 44.7% Māori, 5.7% Pacific peoples, 5.9% Asian, and 1.4% other ethnicities (totals add to more than 100% since people could identify with multiple ethnicities).

The proportion of people born overseas was 13.4%, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people objected to giving their religion, 53.6% had no religion, 34.8% were Christian, 1.0% were Hindu, 0.5% were Buddhist and 3.8% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 528 (13.5%) people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 861 (22.0%) people had no formal qualifications. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 1,911 (48.8%) people were employed full-time, 576 (14.7%) were part-time, and 285 (7.3%) were unemployed.[1]

Individual statistical areas

Name	Population	Median age	Median income
Pukehangi North	2,706	28.0 years	$22,900[9]
Pukehangi South	2,571	40.2 years	$32,800[10]
New Zealand		37.4 years	$31,800

References

1. "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Pukehangi North (199100) and Pukehangi South (199200).
2. Guy, Alice (15 September 2017). "Rotorua's Pukehangi, Ngongotaha and Eastside key areas for development". New Zealand Media and Entertainment. Rotorua Daily Post.
3. Arthur-Worsop, Stephanie (17 June 2017). "33 lot subdivision goes up for sale". New Zealand Media and Entertainment. Rotorua Daily Post.
4. Olley, Samantha (10 January 2019). "126 new Rotorua homes consented in 2018 but many more needed". New Zealand Media and Entertainment. Rotorua Daily Post.
5. Makiha, Kelly (6 December 2018). "Residential plans for farmland bordering Pukehangi, west of Rotorua" (New Zealand Media and Entertainment). Rotorua Daily Post.
6. Sparks, Zizi (28 March 2019). "Council recommends Government process to free up land for housing in Pukehangi quickly". New Zealand Media and Entertainment. Rotorua Daily Post.
7. "Pukehangi Heights Plan Change proceeds". scoop.co.nz. Rotorua District Council. 21 January 2020.
8. Sparks, Zizi (20 November 2019). "Tenancy Tribunal finding gives Rotorua landlord possession, 229 days after 90-day notice issued". New Zealand Media and Entertainment. Rotorua Daily Post.
9. 2018 Census place summary: Pukehangi North
10. 2018 Census place summary: Pukehangi South