Statistics New Zealand describes Maungatūroto as a rural settlement, which covers 3.17 km2 (1.22 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 1,050 as of June 2024,[2] with a population density of 331 people per km2. Maungatūroto is part of the larger Maungatūroto statistical area.
Maungatūroto had a population of 921 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 6 people (0.7%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 129 people (16.3%) since the 2013 census. There were 429 males, 489 females and 3 people of other genders in 330 dwellings.[6] 2.9% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 39.6 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 201 people (21.8%) aged under 15 years, 150 (16.3%) aged 15 to 29, 375 (40.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 192 (20.8%) aged 65 or older.[5]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 82.7% European (Pākehā); 29.0% Māori; 4.2% Pasifika; 3.3% Asian; 0.7% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 3.9% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 97.7%, Māori language by 6.5%, Samoan by 0.3%, and other languages by 4.9%. No language could be spoken by 2.0% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.3%. The percentage of people born overseas was 13.7, compared with 28.8% nationally.
Of those at least 15 years old, 60 (8.3%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 411 (57.1%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 222 (30.8%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $34,300, compared with $41,500 nationally. 84 people (11.7%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 309 (42.9%) people were employed full-time, 102 (14.2%) were part-time, and 15 (2.1%) were unemployed.[5]
Maungatūroto statistical area
Maungatūroto statistical area covers 21.60 km2 (8.34 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 1,480 as of June 2024,[7] with a population density of 69 people per km2.
Historical population for Maungaturoto statistical area
Photo taken from Gorge Road, MaungaturotoFonterra in MaungaturotoView from the Hills of Maungaturoto
Maungatūroto had a population of 1,308 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 39 people (3.1%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 219 people (20.1%) since the 2013 census. There were 630 males, 672 females and 6 people of other genders in 465 dwellings.[10] 2.8% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 40.6 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 270 people (20.6%) aged under 15 years, 219 (16.7%) aged 15 to 29, 558 (42.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 264 (20.2%) aged 65 or older.[9]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 84.4% European (Pākehā); 26.8% Māori; 3.9% Pasifika; 3.0% Asian; 0.5% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 3.0% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 97.9%, Māori language by 6.4%, Samoan by 0.2%, and other languages by 4.8%. No language could be spoken by 1.6% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.2%. The percentage of people born overseas was 13.3, compared with 28.8% nationally.
Of those at least 15 years old, 84 (8.1%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 615 (59.2%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 312 (30.1%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $34,900, compared with $41,500 nationally. 120 people (11.6%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 453 (43.6%) people were employed full-time, 159 (15.3%) were part-time, and 21 (2.0%) were unemployed.[9]
Education
Otamatea High School is a secondary (years 7–13) school[11] with a roll of 660 students.[12] The school held its 50th reunion in 2016.[13] The District High School was established in Maungaturoto in 1939.[14] Otamatea High School won the Goodman Fielder Composite School of the Year Award in 2000.[15]
Maungaturoto School is a contributing primary (years 1–6) school with a roll of 220 students.[16] It first opened in 1874.[17][18]
Otamatea Christian School is a composite state-integrated (years 1–13) school with a roll of 55 students.[19]
All these schools are coeducational. Rolls are as of August 2024.[20]
Railway station
An A classsteam engine hauls a southbound Northland Express through Maungaturoto in the late 1920s with an AB class engine at its shed on the left.The North Auckland Line at Maungaturoto in 2011.
About 2 km (1.2 mi) south west of the town,[21] Maungaturoto had a station on the North Auckland Line from 13 August 1915 to 12 June 1987. Passenger trains ended on 31 July 1967.[22]Refreshment rooms opened in 1923,[23] and had a hostel built for female refreshment room staff in 1940, but closed in November 1956. An engine shed was moved from Wellsford in 1920. Maungaturoto station also had a 30 ft (9.1 m) x 20 ft (6.1 m) goods shed, loading bank, cattle yards and a passing loop for 52 wagons. It was 89 mi 60 ch (144.4 km) from Auckland,[24] 3.82 km (2.37 mi) south east of Huarau and 6 km (3.7 mi) north west of Bickerstaffe.[25]
