Ōhau is a village and semi-rural community in the Horowhenua District and Manawatū-Whanganui region of New Zealand's North Island.[3] It is located just south of Levin on State Highway 1.

Ōhau
Rural settlement
Coordinates: 40.662°S 175.250°E / -40.662; 175.250
Country	New Zealand
Region	Manawatū-Whanganui region
Territorial authority	Horowhenua District
Ward	Waiopehu
Area [1]
• Total	6.12 km2 (2.36 sq mi)
Population  (2018)[2]
• Total	669
• Density	110/km2 (280/sq mi)

The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "place of Hau" for Ōhau, but an alternative meaning could be "windy place".[4]

The former Ohau railway station is located in Ohau.[5] It operated from 1886 to 1987,[6] with most services ending in 1971.[7]

Marae

The local Kikopiri Marae and Kikopiri meeting house are a tribal meeting ground for the Ngāti Raukawa hapū of Ngāti Hikitanga and Ngāti Kikopiri.[8][9]

In October 2020, the Government committed $335,056 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade Kikopiri Marae and Kererū Marae, creating 48 jobs.[10]

Demographics

Ōhau is defined by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement and covers 6.12 km² (2.36 sq mi). It is part of the wider Ōhau-Manakau statistical area, which covers 42.23 km² (16.31 sq mi).[1]

The population of Ōhau was 669 in the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 111 (19.9%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 234 (53.8%) since the 2006 census. There were 354 males and 315 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.12 males per female. Ethnicities were 630 people (94.2%) European/Pākehā, 72 (10.8%) Māori, 9 (1.3%) Pacific peoples, and 15 (2.2%) Asian (totals add to more than 100% since people could identify with multiple ethnicities). Of the total population, 96 people (14.3%) were under 15 years old, 96 (14.3%) were 15–29, 312 (46.6%) were 30–64, and 168 (25.1%) were over 65.[2]

Ōhau-Manakau

Ōhau-Manakau statistical area, which includes Manakau, has an estimated population of 2,910 as of June 2021,[11] with a population density of 68.91 people per km².

Ōhau-Manakau had a population of 2,154 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 369 people (20.7%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 363 people (20.3%) since the 2006 census. There were 825 households. There were 1,086 males and 1,065 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.02 males per female. The median age was 51.4 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 318 people (14.8%) aged under 15 years, 291 (13.5%) aged 15 to 29, 969 (45.0%) aged 30 to 64, and 573 (26.6%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 84.7% European/Pākehā, 17.3% Māori, 3.1% Pacific peoples, 5.2% Asian, and 1.0% other ethnicities (totals add to more than 100% since people could identify with multiple ethnicities).

The proportion of people born overseas was 17.1%, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people objected to giving their religion, 52.8% had no religion, 35.1% were Christian, 0.6% were Hindu, 0.1% were Muslim, 0.4% were Buddhist and 1.9% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 249 (13.6%) people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 441 (24.0%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $27,600, compared with $31,800 nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 849 (46.2%) people were employed full-time, 255 (13.9%) were part-time, and 60 (3.3%) were unemployed.[12]

Education

Ohau School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students,[13][14] with a roll of 191 as of March 2022.[15]

References