Omarumutu is in an SA1 statistical area, which also includes Waiaua, and covers 14.23 km2 (5.49 sq mi).[1] The SA1 area is part of the Ōtara-Tirohanga statistical area.
The SA1 area had a population of 153 at the 2018 New Zealand census, a decrease of 30 people (−16.4%) since the 2013 census, and a decrease of 24 people (−13.6%) since the 2006 census. There were 66 households, comprising 72 males and 78 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.92 males per female. The median age was 47.1 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 24 people (15.7%) aged under 15 years, 21 (13.7%) aged 15 to 29, 81 (52.9%) aged 30 to 64, and 30 (19.6%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 64.7% European/Pākehā, 45.1% Māori, 2.0% Asian, and 2.0% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 51.0% had no religion, 37.3% were Christian, and 3.9% had Māori religious beliefs.
Of those at least 15 years old, 15 (11.6%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 33 (25.6%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $25,700, compared with $31,800 nationally. 24 people (18.6%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 66 (51.2%) people were employed full-time, 18 (14.0%) were part-time, and 6 (4.7%) were unemployed.[2]
Ōtara-Tirohanga statistical area
Ōtara-Tirohanga statistical area covers 113.40 km2 (43.78 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 1,340 as of June 2024,[4] with a population density of 12 people per km2.
Ōtara-Tirohanga had a population of 1,176 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 9 people (0.8%) since the 2013 census, and a decrease of 12 people (−1.0%) since the 2006 census. There were 408 households, comprising 591 males and 585 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.01 males per female. The median age was 46.2 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 216 people (18.4%) aged under 15 years, 195 (16.6%) aged 15 to 29, 516 (43.9%) aged 30 to 64, and 249 (21.2%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 64.8% European/Pākehā, 50.8% Māori, 3.3% Pacific peoples, 2.0% Asian, and 1.5% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 9.2, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 47.7% had no religion, 34.7% were Christian, 9.4% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.8% were Buddhist and 1.3% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 114 (11.9%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 279 (29.1%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $24,600, compared with $31,800 nationally. 108 people (11.2%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 435 (45.3%) people were employed full-time, 153 (15.9%) were part-time, and 51 (5.3%) were unemployed.[5]
Marae
Ōmarumutu Marae features the Tūtāmure meeting house, named after the ancestral chief of Ngāti Ruatākena, who overcame Ngāti Kahungunu on the Māhia Peninsula. Tūtāmure's original fortifications are still visible; the nearby Makeo peak was one of his strongholds.[6] The house was opened in 1901.[7]
Omarumutu War Memorial Hall, located on the marae, was opened by Minister of Māori Affairs Ralph Hanan on 18 March 1961. Bishop Wiremu Panapa and Reverend Rangi Ehu unveiled a memorial tablet inside, presented to Ngāti Ruatākena and Whakatōhea by members of the Māori Battalion, to commemorate both Māori and Pākehā who died during the Boer War, World War I and World War II. Pine Taiapa oversaw the creation of the carvings, tukutuku and kōwhaiwhai that decorate the hall.[7] The artwork is promoted as some of the best Māori artwork in the country and is a tourist drawcard, open the public when tangihanga or other functions are not being held.[8][6]
A memorial cenotaph on the marae, a white column on a concrete base and funeral urn, was initially unveiled with the names of eight local men who died during wars. The names of a further eight who died during World War II and the Vietnam War were added in 1978. A granite memorial stone, also on a concrete base, lists the name of a further four men who died during World War II.[9]
In October 2020, the Government committed $61,944 from the Provincial Growth Fund to renovate the war memorial, toilets and cooking shed, creating an estimated 8 jobs.[10]
Education
Omarumutu School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students,[11] with a roll of 86 as of November 2024.[12]
