{{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 = Pukeokahu | native_name = | native_name_lang = | settlement_type = Rural community | image_skyline = | image_caption = | mapframe = y | mapframe-zoom = 9 | coordinates = {{coord|-39.618|176.005|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 = 132.37 | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = | elevation_ft = | population_footnotes = <ref name="Census 2023"/> | population_total = 138 | population_as_of = 2023 Census | population_density_km2 = auto }}
'''Pukeokahu''' is a rural community in the Rangitikei District and Manawatū-Whanganui region of New Zealand's North Island.
It centres around popular spot on the Rangitīkei River, at River Valley Lodge, which is used for rafting, swimming, brown trout fishing and picnics. The condition of the spot changes from week to week, there is ongoing overall bacteria risk for swimmers.<ref name="lawa">{{cite web |title=Rangitikei River Pukeokahu |url=https://www.lawa.org.nz/explore-data/manawat%C5%AB-whanganui-region/swimming/rangitikei-river-at-pukeokahu/swimsite |website=lawa.org.nz |publisher=Land, Air, Water Aotearoa}}</ref> Kayak manufacturer Bliss-stick is based here.<ref>{{cite web |author=Terry Karatau |date=8 August 2012 |title=Plastic kayaks travel the world |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/your-manawatu/central-district-times/7438299/Plastic-kayaks-travel-the-world |access-date=3 December 2021 |publisher=Stuff}}</ref>
The River Valley Lodge offers guided rafting, wooden boat tours, and horse treks.<ref name="newventure">{{cite news |last1=Stowell |first1=Laurel |title=New venture launched |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/wanganui-chronicle/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503426&objectid=11573783 |agency=Whanganui Chronicle |publisher=New Zealand Media and Entertainment |date=14 January 2016}}</ref> It has also partnered with the Māori owners of the Aorangi Mountain to the west to provide one-day hiking trips.<ref name="naturalchallenge">{{cite news |last1=Stowell |first1=Laurel |title='Natural' challenge for riders |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/wanganui-chronicle/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503422&objectid=11071948 |agency=Whanganui Chronicle |publisher=New Zealand Media and Entertainment |date=16 August 2012}}</ref> However, the company often struggles to recruit rafting guides due to the area's isolation and lack of housing.<ref name="raftingjobs">{{cite news |last1=Kilmister |first1=Sam |title=Isolated rafting company River Valley loses senior river guide |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/110850778/isolated-rafting-company-river-valley-loses-senior-river-guide |agency=Manawatu Standard |publisher=Stuff |date=26 February 2019}}</ref>
==Geography==
The Pukeokahu area includes Pukeokahu Station farm, a {{convert|978|hectare|acre|adj=on}} site next to the Rangitīkei River, dominated by Pukeokahu Hill. The top of the hills is 983 metres above sea level, with sharp drops to the river, Okoeke and Ngutuwhero Streams and rolling countryside. The farm holds 10,000 stock, including sheep, cattle, and deer.<ref name="bayleys">{{cite web |last1=Stratton |first1=Pete |title=Pukeokahu Station |url=https://www.bayleys.co.nz/204199 |website=baylesy.co.nz |publisher=Bayleys Real Estate}}</ref> The farm was sold to Germany investors in 2012 for $8.7 million.<ref name="ferguson">{{cite news |last1=Ferguson |first1=Lin |title=Sold overseas |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/wanganui-chronicle/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503426&objectid=11073885 |agency=Whanganui Chronicle |publisher=APN New Zealand |date=4 September 2012}}</ref>
Other prominent farms include Kaiangaroa Station, a {{convert|1278|hectare|acre|adj=on}} sheep-and-beef property,<ref name="hutching">{{cite news |last1=Hutching |first1=Gerard |title=Breaking fresh ground in Rangitikei |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/beef/10458174/Breaking-fresh-ground-in-Rangitikei |agency=Manawatu Standard |publisher=Stuff |date=4 September 2014}}</ref> and Mangaohane Station, 4800 hectare sheep and cattle farm wintering 44,000 stock.<ref name="mangaohone">{{cite news |title=Iconic North Island station up for sale |url=https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK1311/S00414/iconic-north-island-station-up-for-sale.htm |agency=Bayleys Real Estate |publisher=scoop.co.nz |date=14 November 2013}}</ref>
There are also several Māori land blocks in the area, including the {{convert|1493|hectare|acre|adj=on}} site to the north shared by 74 owners, and a {{convert|5125|hectare|acre|adj=on}} site directly east across the river from the River Valley Lodge, which has 400 registered owners.<ref name="landcare">{{cite web |title=Visualising Māori Land - Pukeokahu |url=https://whenuaviz.landcareresearch.co.nz/place/78286 |website=landcare.co.nz |publisher=Landcare Research}}</ref>
==History==
The area was struck by destructive snow storms in 2002 and 2017.<ref name="stowell">{{cite news |last1=Stowell |first1=Laura |title=Powerless in the Taihape high country amid snowy hills |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11891796 |agency=Whanganui Chronicle |publisher=New Zealand Media and Entertainment |date=18 July 2017}}</ref>
An annual race between a horse and a human has been held in Pukeokahu since 2015, based on a Welsh event started in 1980.<ref name="tuckey">{{cite news |last1=Tuckey |first1=Karoline |title=A human could beat a horse - on a perfect day |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/90910471/four-legs-versus-two-in-horse-versus-human-marathon |agency=Manawatu Standard |publisher=Stuff |date=28 March 2017}}</ref>
In 2016, fashion designer Kate Megaw credited her upbringing in Pukeokahu as the inspiration for her show at New Zealand Fashion Week.<ref name="megaw">{{cite news|last1=|date=7 September 2016|title=Taihape fashion designer wows in New Zealand Fashion Week|work=Manawatu Standard|publisher=Stuff|agency=|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/83812366/taihape-fashion-designer-wows-in-new-zealand-fashion-week|access-date=15 May 2021}}</ref>
A summer storm in late 2018 pushed farm silt and sediment into the river, depleting farm topsoil and feeding river weeds.<ref name="pushchange">{{cite news |title=Push for change over 'dirty' Rangitikei river |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/the-country/news/article.cfm?c_id=16&objectid=12201951 |agency=Whanganui Chronicle |publisher=New Zealand Media and Entertainment |date=8 February 2019}}</ref>
==Demographics== Pukeokahu locality covers {{Convert|132.37|km2||abbr=on}}. This also includes Taoroa Junction.<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=4 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|165|2013|144|2018|144|2023|138|percentages=pagr|align=left|source=<ref name="Census 2023"/><ref name="Census 2018">{{NZ census 2018|7017945}}</ref>}} Pukeokahu had a population of 138 in the 2023 New Zealand census, a decrease of 6 people (−4.2%) since the 2018 census, and a decrease of 6 people (−4.2%) since the 2013 census. There were 66 males and 72 females in 57 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%2Bdo1.7017945.2023&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 34.9 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 30 people (21.7%) aged under 15 years, 24 (17.4%) aged 15 to 29, 63 (45.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 18 (13.0%) aged 65 or older.<ref name="Census 2023"/>
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 91.3% European (Pākehā), 28.3% Māori, 4.3% Pasifika, and 2.2% Asian. English was spoken by 95.7%, and Māori by 4.3%. No language could be spoken by 2.2% (e.g. too young to talk). The percentage of people born overseas was 10.9, compared with 28.8% nationally.<ref name="Census 2023"/>
Religious affiliations were 30.4% Christian, and 2.2% New Age. People who answered that they had no religion were 60.9%, and 6.5% of people did not answer the census question.<ref name="Census 2023"/>
Of those at least 15 years old, 24 (22.2%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 69 (63.9%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 9 (8.3%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $40,400, compared with $41,500 nationally. 9 people (8.3%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 66 (61.1%) full-time and 18 (16.7%) 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.7017945.2013%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=7017945}}</ref>
==Education==
Pukeokahu School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students,<ref name="official">{{cite web |title=Official School Website |url=http://www.pukeokahu.school.nz |website=pukeokahu.school.nz}}</ref><ref name="moe">{{cite web |title=Ministry of Education School Profile |url=https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/find-school/school/profile?school=2428 |website=educationcounts.govt.nz |publisher=Ministry of Education}}</ref> with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|2428|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/2428/pukeokahu-school |website=ero.govt.nz |publisher=Education Review Office}}</ref> It opened in 1902 and moved to the current site in 1903.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pukeokahu.school.nz/about/|title=About|publisher=Pukeokahu School|access-date=4 December 2025}}</ref>
The school looks out over Mt Aorangi and Pukeokahu Hill. It holds annual pet days and has held annual horse treks since 2001.<ref name="kilmisterprincipal">{{cite news |last1=Kilmister |first1=Sam |title=Unique pet day welcomes new principal to Pukeokahu School |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/87351979/unique-pet-day-welcomes-new-principal-to-pukeokahu-school |agency=Manawatu Standard |publisher=Stuff |date=13 December 2016}}</ref>
Richie McCaw visited the school by helicopter in 2011 after the school won a national competition.<ref name="vwaterhouse">{{cite news |last1=Waterhouse |first1=Vicki |title=Richie drops in on winning pupils |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/5151901/Richie-drops-in-on-winning-pupils |agency=Manawatu Standard |publisher=Fairfax New Zealand |date=26 June 2011}}</ref>
In 2017, the school's sole charge principal travelled regularly from {{convert|20|km}} outside Feilding.<ref name="kilmisterprincipal" /> The school applied for a new sole charge principal in 2020.<ref name="gazette">{{cite web |title=Sole teaching principal |url=https://gazette.education.govt.nz/vacancies/1HA6Lx-sole-teaching-principal-position/ |website=education.govt.nz |publisher=Ministry of Education}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Rangitikei District}}
Category:Hill Country stations Category:Rangitikei District Category:Populated places in Manawatū-Whanganui