Gordonton, New Zealand

Summary

Gordonton (Māori: 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.[3]

Gordonton
Hukanui (Māori)
Town
Woodlands Estate homestead
Woodlands Estate homestead
Map
Coordinates: 37°40′12″S 175°18′14″E / 37.670°S 175.304°E / -37.670; 175.304
CountryNew Zealand
RegionWaikato
DistrictWaikato District
WardHukanui-Waerenga Ward
Electorates
Government
 • Territorial AuthorityWaikato District Council
 • Regional councilWaikato Regional Council
Area
 • Total88.43 km2 (34.14 sq mi)
Elevation
26 m (85 ft)
Population
 (June 2023)[2]
 • Total1,960
 • Density22/km2 (57/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+12 (NZST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+13 (NZDT)

The area was initially called Hukanui, which means "heavy frost" in the Māori language.[4] It was renamed to Gordonton after John Gordon, who was a manager for the New Zealand Land Association in the Waikato from 1886.[5]

The local Hukanui Marae is a meeting place of the local Waikato Tainui hapū of Ngāti Makirangi and Ngāti Wairere.[6] It includes Te Tuturu-a-Papa Kamutu meeting house.[7]

Demographics edit

Kainui-Gordonton statistical area covers 88.43 km2 (34.14 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 1,960 as of June 2023,[2] with a population density of 22 people per km2.

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
20061,497—    
20131,629+1.21%
20181,734+1.26%
Source: [8]

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.[8]

Education edit

Gordonton School is a co-educational state primary school covering years 1 to 8,[9] with a roll of 206 as of February 2024.[10] The school first opened in 1891, when it was called Hukanui, and shifted to its current site in 1961.[11]

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.[12] 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.[13]

Woodlands Estate edit

Woodlands is a homestead and Garden of National Significance, established in the 1870s. The gardens occupy eight hectares and are open to the public.[14]

References edit

  1. ^ a b "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Population estimate tables - NZ.Stat". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  3. ^ Hariss, Gavin. "Gordonton, Waikato". topomap.co.nz. NZ Topo Map.
  4. ^ "Kia Ora: Gordonton". The New Zealand Herald. 4 February 2016.
  5. ^ "Gordonton". New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  6. ^ "Māori Maps". maorimaps.com. Te Potiki National Trust.
  7. ^ "Te Kāhui Māngai directory". tkm.govt.nz. Te Puni Kōkiri.
  8. ^ a b "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Kainui-Gordonton (172300). 2018 Census place summary: Kainui-Gordonton
  9. ^ Education Counts: Gordonton School
  10. ^ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  11. ^ "History". Gordonton School. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  12. ^ "Programmes". Eastwest College of Intercultural Studies. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  13. ^ "Contact". WECNZ. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  14. ^ "About Woodlands Estate". Retrieved 23 August 2019.