{{short description|Rural settlement in New Zealand}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=July 2019}} {{Infobox settlement |name = Te Puru |image_skyline = Te Puru.jpg |image_caption = View from a bach at Te Puru |area_footnotes = <ref name="Area"/> |area_total_km2 = 1.96 |population_footnotes = {{NZ population data 2018||||y}} |population_as_of = {{NZ population data 2018|||y}} |population_total = {{NZ population data 2018|Te Puru|y}} |population_density_km2 = auto |subdivision_type = Country |subdivision_name = [[New Zealand]] |subdivision_type1= Region |subdivision_name1= [[Waikato Region|Waikato]] |subdivision_type2= District |subdivision_name2= [[Thames-Coromandel District]] |subdivision_type3= Ward |subdivision_name3= Thames ward |subdivision_type4= Community Board |subdivision_name4= Thames Community |leader_title = Council |leader_name = [[Thames-Coromandel District Council]] |leader_title1 = Regional council |leader_name1 = [[Waikato Regional Council]] |leader_title2 = [[Mayor of Thames-Coromandel]] |leader_name2 = {{NZ officeholder data|Thames-Coromandel District Mayor|y}} |leader_title3 = [[Coromandel (New Zealand electorate)|Coromandel MP]] |leader_name3 = {{NZ officeholder data|Coromandel MP|y}} |leader_title4 = [[Hauraki-Waikato|Hauraki-Waikato MP]] |leader_name4 = {{NZ officeholder data|Hauraki-Waikato MP|y}} |seat_type = Electorates |seat = {{ubl|[[Coromandel (New Zealand electorate)|Coromandel]]|[[Hauraki-Waikato]] (Māori)}} | mapframe = yes | mapframe-zoom = 9 |coordinates = {{coord|37|2|48|S|175|31|18|E|region:NZ|display=it}} }} '''Te Puru''' is a locality on the western side of the [[Coromandel Peninsula]] of [[New Zealand]]. [[State Highway 25 (New Zealand)|State Highway 25]] runs through it. [[Tapu, New Zealand|Tapu]] lies about 7&nbsp;km to the north, and [[Thames, New Zealand|Thames]] is about 12&nbsp;km to the south.<ref>{{cite book|title=Reed New Zealand Atlas|year=2004|isbn=0-7900-0952-8|editor=Peter Dowling |publisher=Reed Books|pages=map 16}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=The Geographic Atlas of New Zealand|year=2005|isbn=1-877333-20-4|author=Roger Smith, GeographX|publisher=Robbie Burton|pages=map 40}}</ref> The Te Puru Stream and about 18 tributaries drain a steep hilly 23&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> area of the [[Coromandel Range]], almost entirely covered by native forest. It runs through the settlement and into the [[Firth of Thames]] to the west. Flooding has been a problem.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ew.govt.nz/projects/peninsula/thamescoast/documents/tepuruSec2.pdf|title=Proposals for Te Puru|format=PDF|publisher=Environment Waikato|access-date=13 February 2008|archive-date=12 October 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012154039/http://www.ew.govt.nz/projects/peninsula/thamescoast/documents/tepuruSec2.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Te Puru track runs between Te Puru and Tapu-Coroglen road, intersecting with Waiomu Valley and Crosbies Main Range tramping tracks on the way.<ref>{{cite map|url=https://www.topomap.co.nz/NZTopoMap/trck128716/Te-Puru-Track/Waikato|title=Te Puru Track, Waikato|publisher=NZ Topo Map|first=Gavin|last=Harriss|date=March 2022}}</ref>

==Demographics== Te Puru is described by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement. It covers {{Convert|1.96|km2||abbr=on}}<ref name="Area">{{Cite web|title=Stats NZ Geographic Data Service|url=https://datafinder.stats.govt.nz/data/|at=Urban Rural 2023 (generalised)|access-date=24 February 2025}}</ref> and had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2018|Te Puru|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2018|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Te Puru|y}}|R}}/1.96|0}} people per km<sup>2</sup>. Te Puru is part of the larger Thames Coast statistical area.

{{Historical populations|2006|540|2013|501|2018|537|2023|510|percentages=pagr|align=left|title=Historical population of Te Puru|source=<ref name="Census 2018">{{NZ census 2018|7010689–7010691 and 7010694}}</ref><ref name="Census 2023"/>}} [[File:Entry to Te Puru Track.jpg|thumb|Te Puru Track entrance]] Te Puru had a population of 510 in the [[2023 New Zealand census]], a decrease of 27 people (−5.0%) since the [[2018 New Zealand census|2018 census]], and an increase of 9 people (1.8%) since the [[2013 New Zealand census|2013 census]]. There were 252 males, 255 females and 3 people of [[non-binary gender|other genders]] in 213 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_005&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=doTotal%2Bdo1.1139.2023&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> 3.5% of people identified as [[LGBTQ|LGBTIQ+]]. The median age was 57.9 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 60 people (11.8%) aged under 15 years, 66 (12.9%) aged 15 to 29, 198 (38.8%) aged 30 to 64, and 189 (37.1%) aged 65 or older.<ref name="Census 2023"/>

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 86.5% [[European New Zealanders|European]] ([[Pākehā]]), 25.9% [[Māori people|Māori]], 1.8% [[Pasifika New Zealanders|Pasifika]], 3.5% [[Asian New Zealanders|Asian]], and 2.9% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 98.8%, Māori language by 3.5%, and other languages by 4.1%. No language could be spoken by 0.6% (e.g. too young to talk). [[New Zealand Sign Language]] was known by 0.6%. The percentage of people born overseas was 14.1, compared with 28.8% nationally.<ref name="Census 2023"/>

Religious affiliations were 24.7% [[Christianity in New Zealand|Christian]], 2.4% [[Māori religious beliefs]], 0.6% [[Buddhism in New Zealand|Buddhist]], 0.6% [[New Age]], and 1.8% other religions. People who answered that they had [[Irreligion in New Zealand|no religion]] were 57.1%, and 13.5% of people did not answer the census question.<ref name="Census 2023"/>

Of those at least 15 years old, 72 (16.0%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 249 (55.3%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 129 (28.7%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $28,200, compared with $41,500 nationally. 24 people (5.3%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 147 (32.7%) people were employed full-time, 63 (14.0%) were part-time, and 15 (3.3%) 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_008&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.1139.2013%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=Te Puru (1139)}}</ref>

===Thames Coast statistical area=== Thames Coast statistical area, which also includes [[Tapu, New Zealand|Tapu]], [[Waiomu]], [[Thornton Bay]] and [[Ngarimu Bay]], covers {{Convert|116.11|km2||abbr=on}}<ref>{{Cite web|title=Stats NZ Geographic Data Service|url=https://datafinder.stats.govt.nz/data/|at=Statistical Area 2 2023 (generalised)|access-date=24 February 2025}}</ref> and had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Thames Coast|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Thames Coast|y}}|R}}/116.11|0}} people per km<sup>2</sup>.

{{Historical populations|2006|1,710|2013|1,533|2018|1,704|2023|1,734|percentages=pagr|align=left|title=Historical population for Thames Coast|source=<ref name="Census 2018 TC">{{NZ census 2018|Thames Coast (167200)|thames-coast|Thames Coast}}</ref><ref name="Census 2023 TC"/>}} Thames Coast had a population of 1,734 in the [[2023 New Zealand census]], an increase of 30 people (1.8%) since the [[2018 New Zealand census|2018 census]], and an increase of 201 people (13.1%) since the [[2013 New Zealand census|2013 census]]. There were 861 males, 867 females and 6 people of [[non-binary gender|other genders]] in 666 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_005&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=doTotal%2Bdo1.167200.2023&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> 2.6% of people identified as [[LGBTQ|LGBTIQ+]]. The median age was 60.2 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 165 people (9.5%) aged under 15 years, 177 (10.2%) aged 15 to 29, 732 (42.2%) aged 30 to 64, and 663 (38.2%) aged 65 or older.<ref name="Census 2023 TC"/>

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 87.5% [[European New Zealanders|European]] ([[Pākehā]]); 22.1% [[Māori people|Māori]]; 1.7% [[Pasifika New Zealanders|Pasifika]]; 1.6% [[Asian New Zealanders|Asian]]; 0.5% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 4.2% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 98.8%, Māori language by 4.2%, Samoan by 0.2%, and other languages by 4.5%. No language could be spoken by 0.5% (e.g. too young to talk). [[New Zealand Sign Language]] was known by 0.3%. The percentage of people born overseas was 13.8, compared with 28.8% nationally.<ref name="Census 2023 TC"/>

Religious affiliations were 27.5% [[Christianity in New Zealand|Christian]], 0.2% [[Islam in New Zealand|Islam]], 1.9% [[Māori religious beliefs]], 0.5% [[Buddhism in New Zealand|Buddhist]], 0.9% [[New Age]], and 1.9% other religions. People who answered that they had [[Irreligion in New Zealand|no religion]] were 57.4%, and 10.4% of people did not answer the census question.<ref name="Census 2023"/>

Of those at least 15 years old, 273 (17.4%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 864 (55.1%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 438 (27.9%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $28,700, compared with $41,500 nationally. 93 people (5.9%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 525 (33.5%) people were employed full-time, 246 (15.7%) were part-time, and 36 (2.3%) were unemployed.<ref name="Census 2023 TC">{{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_008&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.167200.2013%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=Thames Coast (167200)}}</ref>

==Education== [[Te Puru School]] is a coeducational full primary (years 1–8) school with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|1912|y}} students as of {{NZ school roll data|||y|y||.}}<ref>{{TKI|1912|Te Puru School}}</ref>

==History== Te Puru suffered severe flooding in 2002, when a low-pressure system led to extensive flooding on the Coromandel Peninsula and the south-west Waikato region.<ref name="NIWA - June 2002 Upper North Island Weather Bomb">[http://hwe.niwa.co.nz/event/June_2002_Upper_North_Island_Weather_Bomb NIWA - June 2002 Upper North Island Weather Bomb].</ref> Te Puru and Waiomu were included in the ‘high impact’ area of the storm.<ref name="Ministry for the Environment - The Waikato Weather Bomb: Understanding the impact">[http://www.mfe.govt.nz/publications/climate/waikato-weather-mar04/html/page2.html Ministry for the Environment - The Waikato Weather Bomb: Understanding the impact] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202060100/http://www.mfe.govt.nz/publications/climate/waikato-weather-mar04/html/page2.html |date=2 February 2017 }}.</ref> Private and public property was damaged during the flood.

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== * [http://www.tepuru.school.nz Te Puru School website]

{{Thames-Coromandel District}}

[[Category:Thames-Coromandel District]] [[Category:Populated places in Waikato]] [[Category:Populated places around the Firth of Thames]]