# Parewanui

Parewanui is a settlement situated southeast of Bulls in the North Island of New Zealand.

## History

The area was named for Parewanui Pā, one of several populated by Ngāti Apa in the early 19th century. The pā site was purchased by the government as part of the Rangitikei Manawatū block in 1866.
A Parewanui School flourished by 1885 but closed at the beginning of 2003.

### Wheriko Church

Wheriko Church is a historic Anglican church in Parewanui. Built in 1862 it was originally called Christ's Church but was later named to Wheriko, Māori for Jericho. The church was relocated in 1897 following a flood. The church was rededicated in 1962 following renovation work.

## Demographics

Parewanui statistical area covers 266.94 km$^2$ (103.07 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 940 as of June 2024, with a population density of 3.5 people per km$^2$.
The statistical area had a population of 855 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 6 people (0.7%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 69 people (8.8%) since the 2006 census. There were 315 households, comprising 429 males and 429 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.0 males per female. The median age was 40.5 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 189 people (22.1%) aged under 15 years, 129 (15.1%) aged 15 to 29, 435 (50.9%) aged 30 to 64, and 105 (12.3%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 93.3% European/Pākehā, 15.1% Māori, 1.4% Pacific peoples, 0.7% Asian, and 1.8% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 9.1, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 58.2% had no religion, 32.6% were Christian, 1.8% had Māori religious beliefs and 1.8% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 93 (14.0%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 147 (22.1%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $36,000, compared with $31,800 nationally. 99 people (14.9%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 384 (57.7%) people were employed full-time, 96 (14.4%) were part-time, and 21 (3.2%) were unemployed.

## Climate

Climate data for Parewanui (1981–2010) :
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 22.1 (71.8) | 22.5 (72.5) | 21.2 (70.2) | 18.5 (65.3) | 15.9 (60.6) | 13.6 (56.5) | 12.9 (55.2) | 13.7 (56.7) | 15.1 (59.2) | 16.3 (61.3) | 18.3 (64.9) | 20.6 (69.1) | 17.6 (63.6) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 17.5 (63.5) | 17.6 (63.7) | 16.1 (61.0) | 13.6 (56.5) | 11.3 (52.3) | 9.3 (48.7) | 8.3 (46.9) | 9.1 (48.4) | 10.9 (51.6) | 12.3 (54.1) | 13.9 (57.0) | 16.2 (61.2) | 13.0 (55.4) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 12.9 (55.2) | 12.7 (54.9) | 11.0 (51.8) | 8.6 (47.5) | 6.7 (44.1) | 4.9 (40.8) | 3.7 (38.7) | 4.4 (39.9) | 6.6 (43.9) | 8.3 (46.9) | 9.5 (49.1) | 11.8 (53.2) | 8.4 (47.2) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 63 (2.5) | 57 (2.2) | 66 (2.6) | 63 (2.5) | 83 (3.3) | 82 (3.2) | 90 (3.5) | 78 (3.1) | 71 (2.8) | 72 (2.8) | 61 (2.4) | 85 (3.3) | 871 (34.2) |
| Source: NIWA (rain 1961–1990) ||||||||||||||