{{Use New Zealand English|date=March 2024}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}} {{Infobox settlement <!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions --> | name = Papanui Junction | native_name = | native_name_lang = | settlement_type = Rural community | image_skyline = | image_caption = | mapframe = y | mapframe-zoom = 9 | coordinates = {{coord|-39.677|175.549|display=it|region:NZ_type:city_source:GNS-enwiki}} | coordinates_footnotes = | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = New Zealand | subdivision_type1 = Region | subdivision_name1 = Manawatū-Whanganui | subdivision_type2 = Territorial authority | subdivision_name2 = Rangitikei District | subdivision_type3 = Wards | subdivision_name3 = {{ubl|Northern General Ward|Tiikeitia ki Uta (Inland) Māori Ward}} | subdivision_type4 = Community | subdivision_name4 = Taihape Community | seat_type = Electorates | seat = {{ubl|Rangitīkei|Te Tai Hauāuru (Māori)}} | leader_title = Territorial Authority | leader_name = Rangitikei District Council | leader_title1 = Regional council | leader_name1 = Horizons Regional Council | leader_title2 = Mayor of Rangitikei | leader_name2 = {{NZ officeholder data|Rangitikei District Mayor|y}} | leader_title3 = Rangitīkei MP | leader_name3 = {{NZ officeholder data|Rangitīkei MP|y}} | leader_title4 = Te Tai Hauāuru MP | leader_name4 = {{NZ officeholder data|Te Tai Hauāuru MP|y}} | area_footnotes = <ref name="Area"/> | area_total_km2 = 190.99 | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = | elevation_ft = | population_footnotes = <ref name="Census 2023"/> | population_total = 141 | population_as_of = 2023 Census | population_density_km2 = auto }}
'''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.<ref name="ero" />
== Overview == Several Māori land blocks are located in the hill country north-east of the junction, including a {{convert|157.7|hectare|acre|adj=on}} lot with 87 owners and a {{convert|52.5|hectare|acre|adj=on}} lot with 173 owners.<ref name="maoriland">{{cite web |title=Papanui Junction |url=https://whenuaviz.landcareresearch.co.nz/place/76276 |website=landcareresearch.co.nz |publisher=Landcare Research}}</ref>
The area's windy gravel roads may have been a factor in a fatal crash in 2008.<ref name="lobban">{{cite news |last1=Lobban |first1=Nichola |title=Shooter in critical condition after 200-metre plunge |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/wanganui-chronicle/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503426&objectid=10969695 |agency=Whanganui Chronicle |publisher=APN New Zealand |date=12 May 2008}}</ref>
GNS Science recorded slight landsliding on the hills between Papanui Junction and Kakatahi during flooding in June 2015.<ref name=gns>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.</ref>
==Demographics== Papanui Junction locality covers {{Convert|190.99|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=3 December 2025}}</ref> It is part of the larger Mokai Patea statistical area.<ref>{{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|141|2013|141|2018|129|2023|141|percentages=pagr|align=left|source=<ref name="Census 2023"/><ref name="Census 2018">{{NZ census 2018|7017934}}</ref>}} 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.<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%2Bdo1.7017934.2023&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> 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.<ref name="Census 2023"/>
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.<ref name="Census 2023"/>
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.<ref name="Census 2023"/>
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.<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.7017934.2013%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=7017934}}</ref>
==Education==
Papanui Junction School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students,<ref name="moe">{{cite web |title=Ministry of Education School Profile |url=https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/find-school/school/profile?school=2420 |website=educationcounts.govt.nz |publisher=Ministry of Education}}</ref> with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|2420|y}} as of {{NZ school roll data|||y|y||.}}<ref name="ero">{{cite web |title=Education Review Office Report |url=https://www.ero.govt.nz/institution/2420/papanui-junction-school |website=ero.govt.nz |publisher=Education Review Office}}</ref> It is the most isolated school in the wider Taihape area.<ref name="dwyer">{{cite news |last1=Dwyer |first1=Fiona |title=Fiona Dwyer: Taihape principals' cluster |url=http://www.educationalleaders.govt.nz/Leadership-development/Professional-information/Stories-from-school-leaders/Fiona-Dwyer-Taihape-Principals-Cluster |agency=Educational Leaders |publisher=Ministry of Education |archive-date=5 February 2020 |access-date=8 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205015743/http://www.educationalleaders.govt.nz/Leadership-development/Professional-information/Stories-from-school-leaders/Fiona-Dwyer-Taihape-Principals-Cluster |url-status=dead }}</ref> It has been open since at least 1909.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archivescentral.org.nz/site/record/papanui-junction-school-1909-2009|title=Papanui Junction School 1909 -2009|publisher=Archives Central|access-date=3 November 2025}}</ref>
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.<ref name="kilmister">{{cite news |last1=Kilmister |first1=Sam |title=Taihape schools remember cancer victim on Daffodil Day |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/83668523/taihape-schools-remember-cancer-victim-on-daffodil-day |agency=Manawatu Standard |publisher=Stuff |date=29 August 2016}}</ref>
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.<ref name="browne">{{cite news |last1=Browne |first1=Alistair |title=Rangitīkei rural schools fight for better conditions |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/100883740/rangitkei-rural-schools-fight-for-better-conditions |agency=Manawatu Standard |publisher=Stuff |date=31 January 2018}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Rangitikei District}}
Category:Rangitikei District Category:Populated places in Manawatū-Whanganui