# Pongaroa

Pongaroa is a town in the Tararua District, in the southeast of the North Island of New Zealand, 110 kilometres southwest of Hastings and 200 kilometres northeast of Wellington. The nearest town is Pahiatua, 50 kilometres to the west. Popular Ākitio Beach is 30 kilometres to the east. The township straddles Route 52, a road between Masterton and Waipukurau.
The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "tall tree fern" for Pongaroa.
Pongaroa village has a population of about 100, with the surrounding farms bringing the total population to about 300. The area is serviced by Pongaroa School, Pongaroa General Store, Pongaroa Hotel, and Pongaroa Farm Centre. Pongaroa is also the location of the New Zealand Centre for Equine Psychology and Behaviour and Wildside Farm environmental education retreat.
Local volunteers have been responsible for the public toilets, the establishment of a freedom campsite, and improvements to the village centre.
Historically, Pongaroa belonged in the northern Wairarapa area. At one time during the early settlement years in the latter half of the 19th century, the township was much larger: people expected that the Masterton-Napier Railway would run through Pongaroa. However, eventually the Wairarapa Line cut through Pahiatua (1897) and thus that township grew, whilst Pongaroa remained a farming community. Pongaroa became an administrative centre of Akitio County, which functioned between 1899 and 1976.
Pāpāuma marae, a marae (tribal meeting ground) of the Rangitāne tribes and its Ngāti Mutuahi, Ngāti Pakapaka and Te Hika a Pāpāuma hapū (sub-tribes), is located in the Pangaoroa area. It includes Te Aroha o Aohanga wharenui (meeting house), also known as Pāpāuma.

## Demographics

Pongaroa is described by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement, which covers 1.09 km$^2$ (0.42 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 80 as of June 2024, with a population density of 73 people per km$^2$. It is part of the larger Owhanga statistical area.
Pongaroa had a population of 81 at the 2018 New Zealand census, a decrease of 6 people (−6.9%) since the 2013 census, and a decrease of 36 people (−30.8%) since the 2006 census. There were 36 households, comprising 45 males and 39 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.15 males per female. The median age was 52.0 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 9 people (11.1%) aged under 15 years, 9 (11.1%) aged 15 to 29, 39 (48.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 24 (29.6%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 88.9% European/Pākehā, and 37.0% Māori. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 48.1% had no religion, 40.7% were Christian, and 3.7% had Māori religious beliefs.
Of those at least 15 years old, 3 (4.2%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 24 (33.3%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $23,300, compared with $31,800 nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 30 (41.7%) people were employed full-time, 18 (25.0%) were part-time, and 3 (4.2%) were unemployed.

### Owahanga

Owahanga statistical area covers 1,142.54 km$^2$ (441.14 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 810 as of June 2024, with a population density of 0.71 people per km$^2$.
Owahanga had a population of 750 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 33 people (4.6%) since the 2013 census, and a decrease of 75 people (−9.1%) since the 2006 census. There were 285 households, comprising 405 males and 345 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.17 males per female. The median age was 42.7 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 180 people (24.0%) aged under 15 years, 93 (12.4%) aged 15 to 29, 357 (47.6%) aged 30 to 64, and 117 (15.6%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 90.8% European/Pākehā, 21.2% Māori, 0.8% Pasifika, 0.8% Asian, and 2.8% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 6.0, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 54.4% had no religion, 35.2% were Christian, 2.0% had Māori religious beliefs and 0.0% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 60 (10.5%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 144 (25.3%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $28,700, compared with $31,800 nationally. 60 people (10.5%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 300 (52.6%) people were employed full-time, 117 (20.5%) were part-time, and 12 (2.1%) were unemployed.

## Education

Pongaroa School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students, with a roll of 56 as of August 2024.

## Notable people

* Maurice Wilkins (1916–2004), Nobel Prizewinning scientist