# Pauanui

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Town in Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand

Place in Waikato, New Zealand

Pauanui View of Pauanui from the top of Mount Paku Interactive map of Pauanui Coordinates: 37°1′5″S 175°51′45″E / 37.01806°S 175.86250°E / -37.01806; 175.86250 Country New Zealand Region Waikato District Thames-Coromandel District Ward South Eastern ward Community Board Tairua-Pāuanui Community Electorates Coromandel Hauraki-Waikato (Māori) Government • Council Thames-Coromandel District Council • Regional council Waikato Regional Council • Mayor of Thames-Coromandel Peter Revell[1] • Coromandel MP Scott Simpson[2] • Hauraki-Waikato MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke[3] Area [4] • Total 9.75 km2 (3.76 sq mi) Population (June 2025)[5] • Total 1,070 • Density 110/km2 (284/sq mi)

The town of **Pauanui** ([Māori](/source/M%C4%81ori_language): *Pāuanui*, meaning "big [pāua](/source/P%C4%81ua)")[6] is on the east coast of the [Coromandel Peninsula](/source/Coromandel_Peninsula) in the [North Island](/source/North_Island) of [New Zealand](/source/New_Zealand). It lies at the mouth of the [Tairua River](/source/Tairua_River) on its south bank, directly opposite the larger town of [Tairua](/source/Tairua).[7]

The two settlements are 30 kilometres east of [Thames](/source/Thames%2C_New_Zealand). Several islands lie off the mouth of the river, notably [Slipper Island](/source/Slipper_Island) to the southeast and the [Aldermen Islands](/source/Aldermen_Islands) 20 kilometres to the East.

The area is a popular holiday destination, with an estimated summer holidaymaker population of over 15,000. Pauanui is known as New Zealand's holiday destination for the elite and wealthy. It is approximately a one-hour 50-minute drive from [Auckland](/source/Auckland), New Zealand's most populous city.

The settlement has an airstrip used by recreational light-aircraft pilots and is noted for [game fishing](/source/Game_fishing), [diving](/source/Underwater_diving), [surfing](/source/Surfing) and its excellent beach.

The area was developed in the late 1960s with a focus on families and included features that were first of their kind in New Zealand, such as red-coloured roads to improve the visibility of pedestrians.[8]

## Demographics

Pauanui covers 9.75 km2 (3.76 sq mi)[4] and had an estimated population of 1,070 as of June 2025,[9] with a population density of 110 people per km2.

‹ The [template](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Template) *[Historical populations](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Historical_populations)* is being [considered for merging](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Templates_for_discussion/Log/2026_June_24#Template:Infobox_demographics). ›

Historical population Year Pop. ±% p.a. 2006 801 — 2013 825 +0.42% 2018 1,005 +4.03% 2023 1,068 +1.22% Source: [10][11]

The Pauanui airfield, with aircraft parked almost in the backyards of properties.

Pauanui had a population of 1,068 in the [2023 New Zealand census](/source/2023_New_Zealand_census), an increase of 63 people (6.3%) since the [2018 census](/source/2018_New_Zealand_census), and an increase of 243 people (29.5%) since the [2013 census](/source/2013_New_Zealand_census). There were 519 males, 537 females and 9 people of [other genders](/source/Non-binary_gender) in 486 dwellings.[12] 1.7% of people identified as [LGBTIQ+](/source/LGBTQ). The median age was 61.8 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 96 people (9.0%) aged under 15 years, 102 (9.6%) aged 15 to 29, 390 (36.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 483 (45.2%) aged 65 or older.[11]

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 94.9% [European](/source/European_New_Zealanders) ([Pākehā](/source/P%C4%81keh%C4%81)); 6.7% [Māori](/source/M%C4%81ori_people); 0.3% [Pasifika](/source/Pasifika_New_Zealanders); 3.9% [Asian](/source/Asian_New_Zealanders); 0.6% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 1.7% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 98.9%, Māori language by 1.7%, and other languages by 5.6%. No language could be spoken by 0.8% (e.g. too young to talk). [New Zealand Sign Language](/source/New_Zealand_Sign_Language) was known by 0.3%. The percentage of people born overseas was 20.2, compared with 28.8% nationally.[11]

Religious affiliations were 36.5% [Christian](/source/Christianity_in_New_Zealand), 1.4% [Hindu](/source/Hinduism_in_New_Zealand), 0.8% [Buddhist](/source/Buddhism_in_New_Zealand), 0.6% [New Age](/source/New_Age), and 0.8% other religions. People who answered that they had [no religion](/source/Irreligion_in_New_Zealand) were 53.4%, and 6.5% of people did not answer the census question.[11]

Of those at least 15 years old, 162 (16.7%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 600 (61.7%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 207 (21.3%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $33,300, compared with $41,500 nationally. 96 people (9.9%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 312 (32.1%) people were employed full-time, 135 (13.9%) were part-time, and 3 (0.3%) were unemployed.[11]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Declaration of Results of Election and Poll"](https://www.tcdc.govt.nz/files/assets/public/v/1/our-council/public-notices/governance-pn/thames-coromandel-district-council-declaration-notice-tcdc.pdf) (PDF), *www.tcdc.govt.nz*, Thames-Coromandel District Council, 17 October 2025

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Coromandel - Official Result"](https://www.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2020/electorate-details-07.html). [Electoral Commission](/source/Electoral_Commission_(New_Zealand)). Retrieved 27 February 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Hauraki-Waikato – Official Result"](https://archive.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2023/electorate-details-66.html). New Zealand Electoral Commission. Retrieved 27 February 2025.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Area_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Area_4-1) ["Stats NZ Geographic Data Service"](https://datafinder.stats.govt.nz/data/). Urban Rural 2023 (generalised). Retrieved 3 March 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-NZ_population_data_2018_5-0)** ["Subnational population estimates - Aotearoa Data Explorer"](https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/?fs%5b0%5d=Society%2C1%7CPopulation%20estimates%23CAT_POPULATION_ESTIMATES%23%7CSubnational%20population%20estimates%23CAT_SUBNATIONAL_POPULATION_ESTIMATES%23&pg=0&bp=true&snb=10&isAvailabilityDisabled=false). [Statistics New Zealand](/source/Statistics_New_Zealand). Retrieved 29 October 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["1000 Māori place names"](https://nzhistory.govt.nz/culture/maori-language-week/1000-maori-place-names). New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage. 6 August 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Peter Dowling, ed. (2004). *Reed New Zealand Atlas*. Reed Books. pp. map 17. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-7900-0952-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-7900-0952-8).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Pauanui Airfield (NZUN) - About Pauanui"](https://web.archive.org/web/20210621121248/https://tcdc.govt.nz/Our-Services/Airfields/Pauanui-Airfield-NZUN/). Thames Coromandel District Council. Archived from [the original](https://www.tcdc.govt.nz/Our-Services/Airfields/Pauanui-Airfield-NZUN/) on 21 June 2021. Retrieved 23 May 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-NZ_population_data_2023_SA2_9-0)** ["Subnational population estimates - Aotearoa Data Explorer"](https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/?fs%5b0%5d=Society%2C1%7CPopulation%20estimates%23CAT_POPULATION_ESTIMATES%23%7CSubnational%20population%20estimates%23CAT_SUBNATIONAL_POPULATION_ESTIMATES%23&pg=0&bp=true&snb=10&isAvailabilityDisabled=false). [Statistics New Zealand](/source/Statistics_New_Zealand). Retrieved 29 October 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Census_2018_10-0)** ["Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census"](https://www.stats.govt.nz/information-releases/statistical-area-1-dataset-for-2018-census-updated-march-2020). Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Pauanui (168200). [2018 Census place summary: Pauanui](https://www.stats.govt.nz/tools/2018-census-place-summaries/pauanui)

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Census_2023_11-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Census_2023_11-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Census_2023_11-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Census_2023_11-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Census_2023_11-4) ["Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses"](https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs%5b0%5d=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df%5bds%5d=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df%5bid%5d=CEN23_TBT_008&df%5bag%5d=STATSNZ&df%5bvs%5d=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.1144.2013%2B2018%2B2023&to%5bTIME%5d=false&ly%5brw%5d=CEN23_TBT_IND_003&ly%5bcl%5d=CEN23_YEAR_001). Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Pāuanui (1144). Retrieved 3 October 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses"](https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs%5b0%5d=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df%5bds%5d=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df%5bid%5d=CEN23_TBT_005&df%5bag%5d=STATSNZ&df%5bvs%5d=1.0&dq=doTotal%2Bdo1.1144.2023&ly%5brw%5d=CEN23_TBT_DWD_003). Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Retrieved 3 October 2024.

## External links

- [1:50,000 map](http://www.topomap.co.nz/NZTopoMap/nz8312/Pauanui/Waikato)

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for ***[Pauanui](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Pauanui#Q2058404)***.

v t e Thames-Coromandel District, New Zealand Seat: Thames Populated places Coromandel-Colville Ward Cape Colville Colville Coromandel Kennedy Bay Manaia Motutakapu Mercury Bay Ward Cooks Beach Coroglen Hahei Hot Water Beach Kūaotunu Matarangi New Chums Beach Otama Beach Rings Beach Te Rerenga Whangapoua Whenuakite Whitianga Thames Ward Hikutaia Kauaeranga Valley Kopu Matatoki Ngarimu Bay Puriri Tapu Te Mata Te Puru Thames Thornton Bay Waiomu South West Ward Whangamatā C.B. Onemana Opoutere Whangamata Tairua-Pauanui C.B. Hikuai Pauanui Tairua Islands Aldermen Islands Castle Island Mahurangi Island / Goat Island Mercury Islands Motueka Island / Pigeon Island Motukawao Islands Poikeke Island Slipper Island Whanganui Island Geographic features Cape Colville Castle Rock Cathedral Cove / Te Whanganui-A-Hei Colville Channel Firth of Thames Hauraki Gulf Kauaeranga Valley Mercury Bay Moehau Range Thames Valley Whangapoua Harbour Facilities and attractions Coromandel Forest Park Driving Creek Railway Hauraki Rail Trail Kopu Bridge Pauanui Aerodrome Siamese Kauri Square Kauri Thames Aerodrome Thames railway station Thames School of Mines Whangamata Beach Hop Whitianga Aerodrome Whitianga Festival of Speed Government District Council Mayor Regional Council Organisations The Mercury Bay Informer Ngāti Rongoū Thames High School

Authority control databases International VIAF National United States Israel

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Pauanui](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pauanui) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pauanui?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.