// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did Papanui Junction say to the train? "You're on the right track.
Papanui Junction | |
|---|---|
Rural community | |
 Interactive map of Papanui Junction | |
| Coordinates: 39°40′37″S 175°32′56″E / 39.677°S 175.549°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Manawatū-Whanganui |
| Territorial authority | Rangitikei District |
| Wards |
|
| Community | Taihape Community |
| Electorates | |
| Government | |
| • Territorial Authority | Rangitikei District Council |
| • Regional council | Horizons Regional Council |
| • Mayor of Rangitikei | Andy Watson[1] |
| • Rangitīkei MP | Suze Redmayne[2] |
| • Te Tai Hauāuru MP | Debbie Ngarewa-Packer[3] |
| Area | |
• Total | 190.99 km2 (73.74 sq mi) |
| Population (2023 Census)[5] | |
• Total | 141 |
| • Density | 0.738/km2 (1.91/sq mi) |
Papanui Junction is a rural community in the Rangitikei District and Manawatū-Whanganui region of New Zealand's North Island. It is located west of Taihape, in the Turakina Valley.[6]
Overview
[edit]Several Māori land blocks are located in the hill country north-east of the junction, including a 157.7-hectare (390-acre) lot with 87 owners and a 52.5-hectare (130-acre) lot with 173 owners.[7]
The area's windy gravel roads may have been a factor in a fatal crash in 2008.[8]
GNS Science recorded slight landsliding on the hills between Papanui Junction and Kakatahi during flooding in June 2015.[9]
Demographics
[edit]Papanui Junction locality covers 190.99 km2 (73.74 sq mi).[4] It is part of the larger Mokai Patea statistical area.[10]
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 141 | — |
| 2013 | 141 | +0.00% |
| 2018 | 129 | −1.76% |
| 2023 | 141 | +1.79% |
| Source: [5][11] | ||
Papanui Junction had a population of 141 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 12 people (9.3%) since the 2018 census, and unchanged since the 2013 census. There were 84 males and 57 females in 51 dwellings.[12] The median age was 28.2 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 27 people (19.1%) aged under 15 years, 45 (31.9%) aged 15 to 29, 54 (38.3%) aged 30 to 64, and 12 (8.5%) aged 65 or older.[5]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 83.0% European (Pākehā), 14.9% Māori, 4.3% Pasifika, and 4.3% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 91.5%, Māori by 6.4%, and other languages by 4.3%. No language could be spoken by 2.1% (e.g. too young to talk). The percentage of people born overseas was 8.5, compared with 28.8% nationally.[5]
The sole religious affiliation given was 38.3% Christian. People who answered that they had no religion were 57.4%, and 4.3% of people did not answer the census question.[5]
Of those at least 15 years old, 12 (10.5%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 72 (63.2%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 27 (23.7%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $46,300, compared with $41,500 nationally. 6 people (5.3%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 84 (73.7%) full-time and 18 (15.8%) part-time.[5]
Education
[edit]Papanui Junction School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students,[13] with a roll of 10 as of March 2026.[14][6] It is the most isolated school in the wider Taihape area.[15] It has been open since at least 1909.[16]
The school held a commemorative Daffodil Day in August 2016 to commemorate a local man who was heavily involved in the school, who had recently died of cancer.[17]
Papaunui Junction School is a sole charge school due to its low roll. In June 2018, the New Zealand Educational Institute campaigned for better conditions for the sole charge principal.[18]
References
[edit]- ↑ "2025 Triennial Elections Declaration of Result" (PDF). Electionz. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
- ↑ "Rangitīkei - Official Result". electionresults. Electoral Commission. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
- ↑ "Te Tai Hauāuru - Official Result". Retrieved 20 April 2025.
- 1 2 "Stats NZ Geographic Data Service". Statistical Area 1 2023 (generalised). Retrieved 3 December 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. 7017934. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- 1 2 "Education Review Office Report". ero.govt.nz. Education Review Office.
- ↑ "Papanui Junction". landcareresearch.co.nz. Landcare Research.
- ↑ Lobban, Nichola (12 May 2008). "Shooter in critical condition after 200-metre plunge". APN New Zealand. Whanganui Chronicle.
- ↑ Page, M.J.; Rosser, B.J.; Townsend, D.B.; Carey, J.M.; Ries, W.F. 2015. Reconnaissance report on landsliding caused by the 19–20 June 2015 rainstorm in the Taranaki-Wanganui-Manawatu region, GNS Science Consultancy Report 2015/172.
- ↑ "Geographic Boundary Viewer". Stats NZ. Statistical Area 1 – 2023 and Statistical Area 2 – 2023.
- ↑ "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. 7017934.
- ↑ "Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ↑ "Ministry of Education School Profile". educationcounts.govt.nz. Ministry of Education.
- ↑ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ↑ Dwyer, Fiona. "Fiona Dwyer: Taihape principals' cluster". Ministry of Education. Educational Leaders. Archived from the original on 5 February 2020. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
- ↑ "Papanui Junction School 1909 -2009". Archives Central. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
- ↑ Kilmister, Sam (29 August 2016). "Taihape schools remember cancer victim on Daffodil Day". Stuff. Manawatu Standard.
- ↑ Browne, Alistair (31 January 2018). "Rangitīkei rural schools fight for better conditions". Stuff. Manawatu Standard.