Ohangai

Ohangai is a locality in South Taranaki, New Zealand. It is approximately 10 km east of Hāwera and 6 km north of Mokoia^[4][5]

Ohangai
Coordinates: 39°35′6″S 174°23′19″E
Country	New Zealand
Region	Taranaki
Territorial authority	South Taranaki District
Ward	Te Hāwera General Ward Te Tai Tonga Māori Ward
Community	Te Hāwera Community
Electorates	Whanganui Te Tai Hauāuru (Māori)
Government
• Territorial Authority	South Taranaki District Council
• Regional council	Taranaki Regional Council
• Mayor of South Taranaki	Phil Nixon[1]
• Whanganui MP	Carl Bates[2]
• Te Tai Hauāuru MP	Debbie Ngarewa-Packer[3]

The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "opposite place" for Ōhāngai.^[6]

Demographics

Ohangai statistical area covers 331.78 km² (128.10 sq mi)^[7] and had an estimated population of 640 as of June 2024,^[8] with a population density of 1.9 people per km².

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
2006	588	—
2013	570	−0.44%
2018	537	−1.19%
2023	612	+2.65%
Source: [9][10]

The statistical area had a population of 612 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 75 people (14.0%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 42 people (7.4%) since the 2013 census. There were 321 males, 285 females, and 6 people of other genders in 207 dwellings.^[11] 2.9% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 35.2 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 156 people (25.5%) aged under 15 years, 93 (15.2%) aged 15 to 29, 303 (49.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 60 (9.8%) aged 65 or older.^[9]

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 84.3% European (Pākehā); 20.1% Māori; 2.0% Pasifika; 2.9% Asian; 1.5% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.9% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 98.0%, Māori by 4.4%, and other languages by 4.4%. No language could be spoken by 2.0% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.5%. The percentage of people born overseas was 11.3, compared with 28.8% nationally.^[9]

Religious affiliations were 28.4% Christian, 1.0% Māori religious beliefs, 1.0% Buddhist, 0.5% New Age, and 0.5% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 58.3%, and 9.8% of people did not answer the census question.^[9]

Of those at least 15 years old, 66 (14.5%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 279 (61.2%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 114 (25.0%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $45,700, compared with $41,500 nationally. 57 people (12.5%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 270 (59.2%) full-time, 72 (15.8%) part-time, and 12 (2.6%) unemployed.^[9]

Marae

The local Meremere Marae and Tataurangi meeting house are affiliated with the Ngāti Ruanui hapū of Ngā Ariki, Ngāti Hine and Tūwhakaehu.^[12][13]

In October 2020, the Government committed $1,479,479 from the Provincial Growth Fund to renovate Meremere Marae, Ketemarae Pā, Pariroa Marae and Taiporohēnui Marae, creating 35 jobs.^[14]

Education

Ohangai School was a coeducational contributing primary (years 1-6) school, which celebrated its centennial in 2006.^[15] It closed in 2012.^[16]