The local Kaimai Mamaku Conservation Park, managed by the Department of Conservation, including walks through puriri and kohekohe forest, along the Aongatete Stream, and to swimming holes.[2]Ngai Tamawhariua are guardians of the 500 hectare native forest, and a Forest and Bird volunteer group helps maintain it.[3] A restoration trust was established in 2006 to trap or poison pests like stoats, rats, cats and possums.[4]
The Aongatete Lodge and Outdoor Education Centre, located in the forest, hosts school camps and events like the International Juggling Association Oceania Competition.[5][6]
The settlement includes Aongatete Coolstores, a kiwifruit orcharding, packing and coolstore business.[7] Seeka Limited, a produce company listed on the NZX, purchased the business for $25 million in March 2019.[8]
Vodafone installed a cell tower at Aongatete in January 2014.[9] Ultra fast broadband internet was introduced to Aongatete in December 2019.[10]
Aongatete statistical area, which also includes Fairview, covers 164.37 km2 (63.46 sq mi)[12] and had an estimated population of 3,590 as of June 2024,[13] with a population density of 22 people per km2.
Before the 2023 census, the statistical area had a larger boundary, covering 164.80 km2 (63.63 sq mi).[12] Using that boundary, Aongatete had a population of 3,279 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 486 people (17.4%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 714 people (27.8%) since the 2006 census. There were 1,287 households, comprising 1,641 males and 1,641 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.0 males per female. The median age was 51.2 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 510 people (15.6%) aged under 15 years, 381 (11.6%) aged 15 to 29, 1,593 (48.6%) aged 30 to 64, and 792 (24.2%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 89.2% European/Pākehā, 11.2% Māori, 1.7% Pacific peoples, 3.1% Asian, and 2.1% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 20.0, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 57.5% had no religion, 30.7% were Christian, 1.3% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.4% were Hindu, 0.1% were Muslim, 0.7% were Buddhist and 1.9% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 474 (17.1%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 492 (17.8%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $30,500, compared with $31,800 nationally. 465 people (16.8%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 1,332 (48.1%) people were employed full-time, 528 (19.1%) were part-time, and 72 (2.6%) were unemployed.[14]
Education
Matahui Road School is a co-educational private primary school,[15] with a roll of 53 as of August 2024.[16]
The school was established in 1988 and is governed by the Matahui Road School Charitable Trust.[17]
