Glen Afton

{{for|another place|Glen Afton, Trenton, New Jersey}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=March 2024}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}} {{Infobox settlement | name = Glen Afton | native_name = | native_name_lang =  | settlement_type = Township | image_skyline = Glen Afton.jpg | image_alt = | image_caption = Glen Afton sign | nickname = | mapframe = yes | mapframe-zoom = 9 | coordinates = {{coord|37|37|S|175|02|E|display=it|region:NZ_type:city_source:GNS-enwiki}} | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = New Zealand | subdivision_type1 = Region | subdivision_name1 = [[Waikato]] | subdivision_type2 = District | subdivision_name2 = [[Waikato District]] | subdivision_type3 = Ward | subdivision_name3 = {{ubl|Western Districts General Ward|Tai Raro Takiwaa Maaori Ward}} | leader_title = Territorial Authority | leader_name = [[Waikato District Council]] | leader_title1 = Regional council | leader_name1 = [[Waikato Regional Council]] | leader_title2 = [[Mayor of Waikato]] | leader_name2 = {{NZ officeholder data|Waikato District Mayor|y}} | leader_title3 = [[Waikato (New Zealand electorate)|Waikato MP]] | leader_name3 = {{NZ officeholder data|Waikato MP|y}} | leader_title4 = [[Hauraki-Waikato|Hauraki-Waikato MP]] | leader_name4 = {{NZ officeholder data|Hauraki-Waikato MP|y}} | seat_type = Electorates | seat = {{ubl|[[Waikato (New Zealand electorate)|Waikato]]|[[Hauraki-Waikato]] (Māori)}} | elevation_m = | area_footnotes = <ref name="Area"/> | area_total_km2 = 12.57 | population_total = 129 | population_as_of = 2023 census | population_footnotes = <ref name="Census 2023"/> | population_density_km2 = auto | postal_code_type = [[Postcodes in New Zealand|Postcode(s)]] | postal_code = 3771 | website =  | etymology = }}

[[File:Glen_Afton_colliery_and_railway.jpg | thumb | right]] '''Glen Afton''' and '''Pukemiro''' are twin settlements in the [[Waikato District]], in northern [[Waikato]] region of New Zealand's [[North Island]]. The nearest town is [[Huntly, New Zealand|Huntly]], some {{cvt|14|km|sigfig=1}} away.<ref name="localitiesmap">{{cite web |title=Waikato District Council localities map |url=http://www.waikatodistrict.govt.nz/CMSFiles/69/690702da-2699-45dd-ad40-53ff4eca0edf.pdf |website=waikatodistrict.govt.nz |publisher=Waikato District Council |access-date=29 June 2014 |archive-date=28 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128132155/http://www.waikatodistrict.govt.nz/CMSFiles/69/690702da-2699-45dd-ad40-53ff4eca0edf.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The settlements were previously an important coal-mining centre, but only one large and one small open-cast coal mine still operates in the area. There was a mining disaster at Glen Afton on 24 September 1939: 11 men were asphyxiated by carbon monoxide.<ref name="sherwood">{{cite web |last1=Sherwood |first1=Alan |title=Coal and coal mining – Mining accidents |url=http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/coal-and-coal-mining/7 |website=Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand |publisher=[[Ministry for Culture and Heritage]]}}</ref>

The [[Bush Tramway Club]] runs the Glen Afton (formerly Pukemiro) Line Heritage Railway, which was formerly the [[Glen Afton Branch]] until 1977. The Country Music Club meets at the Bush Tramway Club club rooms.<ref name="tramway">{{cite web |title=Pukemiro Line, Bush Tramway Club |url=http://www.bushtramwayclub.com/ |website=bushtramwayclub.com}}</ref>

==Puke Coal==

Puke Coal operates near the Bush Tramway Club and has consent to produce up to 180,000 tonnes of coal a year, though actual production was described as "relatively modest" in 2014. The mine is [[Coal mining#Surface mining|open cast]], recovering coal left by previous mining.<ref>{{Citation|title=Puke Coal Limited v Waikato Regional Council|date=23 October 2014|url=http://www.nzlii.org/nz/cases/NZEnvC/2014/223.html|issue=223|accessdate=2018-02-05}}</ref>

The mine is privately owned, so there are no permits and no public record of production.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nzpam.govt.nz/our-industry/nz-minerals/minerals-data/coal/operating-mines/|title=Operating coal mine production figures|last=Minerals|first=New Zealand Petroleum and|website=New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals|language=en-GB|access-date=2018-02-05}}</ref> The company was formed in 2011 and employs 25 staff in its mining and landfill work.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pukecoal.co.nz/about-us.html|title=Puke Coal is based in Waikato and offers domestic and commercial coal sales and construction and demolition services|website=Puke Coal|access-date=2018-02-05|archive-date=30 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130015250/http://www.pukecoal.co.nz/about-us.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Demographics== ===Glen Afton=== Glen Afton locality covers {{Convert|12.57|km2||abbr=on}}.<ref name="Area">{{Cite web|title=Stats NZ Geographic Data Service|url=https://datafinder.stats.govt.nz/data/|at=Statistical Area 1 2023 (generalised)|access-date=24 March 2025}}</ref> It is part of the larger [[Huntly, New Zealand#Huntly Rural|Huntly Rural statistical area]].<ref name="SA1 and SA2">{{cite web|url=https://statsnz.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/sidebar/index.html?appid=3a406ce8fbb14367ab5caae21c07ab8b|title=Geographic Boundary Viewer|publisher=Stats NZ|at=Statistical Area 1 – 2023 and Statistical Area 2 – 2023}}</ref>

{{Historical populations|2006|111|2013|102|2018|114|2023|129|percentages=pagr|align=left|title=Historical population for Glen Afton|source=<ref name="Census 2023"/><ref name="Census 2018">{{NZ census 2018|7011115}}</ref>}} Glen Afton had a population of 129 in the [[2023 New Zealand census]], an increase of 15 people (13.2%) since the [[2018 New Zealand census|2018 census]], and an increase of 27 people (26.5%) since the [[2013 New Zealand census|2013 census]]. There were 69 males and 60 females in 48 dwellings.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_009&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=doTotal%2Bdo1.7011115.2023&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_DWD_003|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses}}</ref> 2.3% of people identified as [[LGBTQ|LGBTIQ+]]. The median age was 39.4 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 33 people (25.6%) aged under 15 years, 15 (11.6%) aged 15 to 29, 60 (46.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 21 (16.3%) aged 65 or older.<ref name="Census 2023"/>

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 83.7% [[European New Zealanders|European]] ([[Pākehā]]); 37.2% [[Māori people|Māori]]; 4.7% [[Pasifika New Zealanders|Pasifika]]; 2.3% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 4.7% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 97.7%, Māori language by 7.0%, and other languages by 4.7%. No language could be spoken by 2.3% (e.g. too young to talk). The percentage of people born overseas was 4.7, compared with 28.8% nationally.<ref name="Census 2023"/>

Religious affiliations were 18.6% [[Christianity in New Zealand|Christian]], 4.7% [[Māori religious beliefs]], 2.3% [[Buddhism in New Zealand|Buddhist]], 4.7% [[New Age]], and 2.3% other religions. People who answered that they had [[Irreligion in New Zealand|no religion]] were 67.4%, and 4.7% of people did not answer the census question.<ref name="Census 2023"/>

Of those at least 15 years old, 9 (9.4%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 54 (56.2%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 33 (34.4%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $29,800, compared with $41,500 nationally. 6 people (6.2%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 39 (40.6%) people were employed full-time, 12 (12.5%) were part-time, and 3 (3.1%) were unemployed.<ref name="Census 2023">{{Cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_012&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=hq011%2Bhq010%2Bhq009%2Bhq008%2Bhq007%2Bhq006%2Bhq005%2Bhq004%2Bhq003%2Bhq002%2Bhq001%2Bhq000%2Bws1%2Bsp99%2Bra80%2Bra08%2Bra07%2Bra06%2Bra05%2Bra01%2Bra04%2Bra03%2Bra02%2Bra00%2Brb1%2Bls66%2Bls03%2Bls02%2Bls05%2Bls04%2Bls01%2Beg6%2Beg5%2Beg4%2Beg3%2Beg2%2Beg1%2BbiTotal%2Bbi0%2Bbi1%2BasTotalLG%2Bas4%2Bas3%2Bas2%2Bas1%2Bws4%2Bws3%2Bws2%2Bge3%2Bge2%2Bge1%2Brc%2BasMed%2BegTotal%2BlsTotal%2BgeTotal%2BrbTotal%2BraTotal%2BhqTotal%2BibTotal%2Bib7%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.7011115.2013%2B2018%2B2023&to[TIME]=false&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_IND_003&ly[cl]=CEN23_YEAR_001|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses|at=7011115}}</ref>

===Pukemiro=== Pukemiro covers {{Convert|0.16|km2||abbr=on}}.<ref name="Area"/> It is part of the larger [[Huntly, New Zealand#Huntly Rural|Huntly Rural statistical area]].<ref name="SA1 and SA2"/>

{{Historical populations|2006|144|2013|126|2018|135|2023|141|percentages=pagr|align=left|title=Historical population for Pukemiro|source=<ref name="Census 2023 P"/><ref name="Census 2018 P">{{NZ census 2018|7011113}}</ref>}} [[File:Pukemiro.jpg|thumb|Pukemiro sign]] Pukemiro had a population of 141 in the [[2023 New Zealand census]], an increase of 6 people (4.4%) since the [[2018 New Zealand census|2018 census]], and an increase of 15 people (11.9%) since the [[2013 New Zealand census|2013 census]]. There were 81 males, 57 females and 3 people of [[non-binary gender|other genders]] in 66 dwellings.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_009&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=doTotal%2Bdo1.7011113.2023&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_DWD_003|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses}}</ref> 4.3% of people identified as [[LGBTQ|LGBTIQ+]]. The median age was 48.3 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 27 people (19.1%) aged under 15 years, 9 (6.4%) aged 15 to 29, 81 (57.4%) aged 30 to 64, and 24 (17.0%) aged 65 or older.<ref name="Census 2023 P"/>

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 74.5% [[European New Zealanders|European]] ([[Pākehā]]), 36.2% [[Māori people|Māori]], 4.3% [[Pasifika New Zealanders|Pasifika]], and 2.1% [[Asian New Zealanders|Asian]]. English was spoken by 97.9%, Māori language by 10.6%, and other languages by 4.3%. The percentage of people born overseas was 12.8, compared with 28.8% nationally.<ref name="Census 2023 P"/>

Religious affiliations were 17.0% [[Christianity in New Zealand|Christian]], and 2.1% other religions. People who answered that they had [[Irreligion in New Zealand|no religion]] were 70.2%, and 8.5% of people did not answer the census question.<ref name="Census 2023 P"/>

Of those at least 15 years old, 9 (7.9%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 54 (47.4%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 48 (42.1%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $27,500, compared with $41,500 nationally. 3 people (2.6%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 42 (36.8%) people were employed full-time, 12 (10.5%) were part-time, and 6 (5.3%) were unemployed.<ref name="Census 2023 P">{{Cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_012&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=hq011%2Bhq010%2Bhq009%2Bhq008%2Bhq007%2Bhq006%2Bhq005%2Bhq004%2Bhq003%2Bhq002%2Bhq001%2Bhq000%2Bws1%2Bsp99%2Bra80%2Bra08%2Bra07%2Bra06%2Bra05%2Bra01%2Bra04%2Bra03%2Bra02%2Bra00%2Brb1%2Bls66%2Bls03%2Bls02%2Bls05%2Bls04%2Bls01%2Beg6%2Beg5%2Beg4%2Beg3%2Beg2%2Beg1%2BbiTotal%2Bbi0%2Bbi1%2BasTotalLG%2Bas4%2Bas3%2Bas2%2Bas1%2Bws4%2Bws3%2Bws2%2Bge3%2Bge2%2Bge1%2Brc%2BasMed%2BegTotal%2BlsTotal%2BgeTotal%2BrbTotal%2BraTotal%2BhqTotal%2BibTotal%2Bib7%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.7011113.2013%2B2018%2B2023&to[TIME]=false&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_IND_003&ly[cl]=CEN23_YEAR_001|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses|at=7011113}}</ref>

==Education==

Pukemiro School opened in 1905 and reached a peak roll of over 120 students. It closed in 2021.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/125854269/pukemiro-school-farewelled-with-prayer-songs-and-schoolyard-tales|title=Pukemiro School farewelled with prayer, songs and schoolyard tales|publisher=Waikato Times|date=25 July 2021|first=Aaron|last=Leaman}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

[[Category:Populated places in Waikato]] [[Category:Waikato District]]