# Maheno, New Zealand

Maheno is a small North Otago township south of Oamaru in New Zealand. The area has 75 residents. A number of the town's streets are named after places in Tyne and Wear, England, such as Whickham, Felling, Heworth and Jarrow. One of two New Zealand's hospital ships in World War I, the SS Maheno, was named after this town.

## Demographics

Maheno is described as a rural settlement by Statistics New Zealand, and covers 0.56 km$^2$ (0.22 sq mi). It had an estimated population of 130 as of June 2023, with a population density of 232 people per km$^2$. It is part of a larger statistical area also called Maheno.
Maheno settlement had a population of 126 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 18 people (16.7%) since the 2013 census, and a decrease of 18 people (−12.5%) since the 2006 census. There were 54 households, comprising 66 males and 60 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.1 males per female. The median age was 54.7 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 12 people (9.5%) aged under 15 years, 21 (16.7%) aged 15 to 29, 63 (50.0%) aged 30 to 64, and 30 (23.8%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 92.9% European/Pākehā, 7.1% Māori, and 2.4% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 52.4% had no religion, and 35.7% were Christian.
Of those at least 15 years old, 9 (7.9%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 33 (28.9%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $22,200, compared with $31,800 nationally. 9 people (7.9%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 51 (44.7%) people were employed full-time, 21 (18.4%) were part-time, and 3 (2.6%) were unemployed.

### Maheno statistical area

Maheno statistical area, which also includes Kakanui and Herbert, covers 262.45 km$^2$ (101.33 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 2,130 as of June 2023, with a population density of 8 people per km$^2$.
Maheno statistical area had a population of 1,968 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 150 people (8.3%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 93 people (5.0%) since the 2006 census. There were 789 households, comprising 984 males and 984 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.0 males per female. The median age was 49.8 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 342 people (17.4%) aged under 15 years, 216 (11.0%) aged 15 to 29, 978 (49.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 426 (21.6%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 94.4% European/Pākehā, 6.6% Māori, 0.9% Pasifika, 2.7% Asian, and 1.4% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 11.6, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 53.7% had no religion, 37.3% were Christian, 0.2% were Muslim, 0.5% were Buddhist and 1.5% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 276 (17.0%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 369 (22.7%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $27,800, compared with $31,800 nationally. 231 people (14.2%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 786 (48.3%) people were employed full-time, 288 (17.7%) were part-time, and 33 (2.0%) were unemployed.

## St Andrew's Maheno

St Andrew's Church in Maheno is part of the Anglican Parish of Oamaru-Maheno. Services are held every Sunday at 9am, apart from in January.

## Maheno rugby

The Maheno Rugby Football Club play their home games at the Maheno Domain. The Maheno domain is situated along Kakanui Valley road, in Maheno.

## Maheno School

Maheno School is a full primary which caters for years 1 to 8 with a roll of 86 as of August 2024.
Maheno School opened on 11 October 1875, to the delight of many local parents. Peter Williams donated the valuable site in the centre of the town, while £150 had been locally subscribed to add to the £325 granted by the Government. The architect was Thomas Forrester, and Robert Peattie became the first teacher from 14 applicants.
On the opening day fifty children were enrolled, and by mid-1876 the school roll stood at 72 pupils.
The school went through numerous improvements starting with an additional classroom in 1883. By 1907 the school needed a third classroom to cope with a growing roll.
* 1946 – The main block of the new school was built
* 1957 – The school swimming pool was built
* 1960 – The infant block was built
* 1963 – The school dental clinic opened
* 2013 – Work started on new main office and library refit
In 2013 principal Murray Nelson retired after 21 years heading the school.
In 2015, 2017 and 2019 school pupils have visited the wreck of the SS Maheno which is situated on Fraser Island, in Queensland, Australia.