Lake Ratapiko is just to the south-east of the locality.[1][2]
Demographics
Tarata statistical area, which also includes Purangi, covers 258.96 km2 (99.99 sq mi)[3] and had an estimated population of 640 as of June 2024,[4] with a population density of 2.5 people per km2.
Tarata had a population of 570 at the 2018 New Zealand census, a decrease of 12 people (−2.1%) since the 2013 census, and a decrease of 36 people (−5.9%) since the 2006 census. There were 210 households, comprising 312 males and 258 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.21 males per female. The median age was 35.7 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 141 people (24.7%) aged under 15 years, 93 (16.3%) aged 15 to 29, 285 (50.0%) aged 30 to 64, and 45 (7.9%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 95.8% European/Pākehā, 13.7% Māori, 0.5% Pacific peoples, and 3.2% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 7.9, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 53.7% had no religion, 37.4% were Christian and 1.6% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 45 (10.5%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 75 (17.5%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $35,100, compared with $31,800 nationally. 66 people (15.4%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 267 (62.2%) people were employed full-time, 75 (17.5%) were part-time, and 18 (4.2%) were unemployed.[5]
Marae
Te Upoko o te Whenua Marae and Ngārongo meeting house are a meeting place for Ngāti Maru.[6][7]
In October 2020, the Government committed $500,000 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade the marae, creating 15 jobs.[8]
Education
Ratapiko School is a coeducational full primary (years 1–8) school with a roll of 29 students as of November 2024.[9][10] The school was accepted as an Enviroschool in 2017.[11]
Notes
^Peter Dowling, ed. (2004), Reed New Zealand Atlas, Reed Books, pp. map 34, ISBN0-7900-0952-8
^Roger Smith, GeographX (2005), The Geographic Atlas of New Zealand, Robbie Burton, pp. map 85, ISBN1-877333-20-4
Beeche, Henry John (1950), Electrical development in New Zealand the story of the generation and distribution, use of, and dependence on, electrical energy in New Zealand, Wellington, [N.Z.]: Neville Graham Dunning for The Electric-Power Boards and Supply Authorities' Association of New Zealand
Plant, Elizabeth; Taylor, Lois (1988), Ratapiko School and District centennial, 1888-1988, Inglewood, [N.Z.]: Ratapiko Centennial Jubilee Committee
Troon, Dawn (2007), The former Brixton Memorial Hall, 1953-2006, Waitara, [N.Z.]: Dawn Troon
School
Plant, Elizabeth; Taylor, Lois (1988), Ratapiko School and District centennial, 1888-1988, Inglewood, [N.Z.]: Ratapiko Centennial Jubilee Committee
SW - locality that was formerly part of the defunct South-West Ward until 2022; NPC - locality that was formerly part of the defunct New Plymouth City Ward until 2022; nonCB - area not within a community board
