# Poukawa

Poukawa is a rural community in the Hastings District and Hawke's Bay Region of New Zealand's North Island.
It is located south of Hastings, off State Highway 2.

## Demographics

Poukawa settlement is in an SA1 statistical area, which covers 19.49 km$^2$ (7.53 sq mi). The SA1 area is part of the larger Poukawa statistical area.
The SA1 area had a population of 156 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 15 people (10.6%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 24 people (18.2%) since the 2006 census. There were 51 households, comprising 84 males and 75 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.12 males per female. The median age was 40.5 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 48 people (30.8%) aged under 15 years, 18 (11.5%) aged 15 to 29, 66 (42.3%) aged 30 to 64, and 27 (17.3%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 75.0% European/Pākehā, 57.7% Māori, 1.9% Pacific peoples, and 1.9% Asian. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 40.4% had no religion, 46.2% were Christian, and 1.9% had Māori religious beliefs.
Of those at least 15 years old, 12 (11.1%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 24 (22.2%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $30,100, compared with $31,800 nationally. 12 people (11.1%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 60 (55.6%) people were employed full-time, 15 (13.9%) were part-time, and 3 (2.8%) were unemployed.

### Poukawa statistical area

Poukawa statistical area covers 339.92 km$^2$ (131.24 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 1,490 as of June 2024, with a population density of 4 people per km$^2$.
The statistical area had a population of 1,365 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 93 people (7.3%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 72 people (5.6%) since the 2006 census. There were 492 households, comprising 705 males and 660 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.07 males per female. The median age was 44.9 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 297 people (21.8%) aged under 15 years, 204 (14.9%) aged 15 to 29, 639 (46.8%) aged 30 to 64, and 225 (16.5%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 85.7% European/Pākehā, 23.3% Māori, 2.0% Pacific peoples, 0.9% Asian, and 1.5% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 12.5, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 51.0% had no religion, 35.8% were Christian, 3.3% had Māori religious beliefs and 0.9% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 249 (23.3%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 165 (15.4%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $36,600, compared with $31,800 nationally. 195 people (18.3%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 606 (56.7%) people were employed full-time, 192 (18.0%) were part-time, and 15 (1.4%) were unemployed.

## Marae

The community has two Ngāti Kahungunu marae.
Te Whatuiāpiti Marae and meeting house is a meeting place of Ngāti Whatuiāpiti. In October 2020, the Government committed $887,291 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade the marae and 4 others, creating 12 jobs.
Kahurānaki Marae and Kahurānaki meeting house is a meeting place of Ngāi Te Rangikoianake and Ngāti Whatuiāpiti. In October 2020, the Government committed $6,020,910 to upgrade Kahurānaki and 17 other marae, creating 39 jobs.

## Education

Poukawa School is a co-educational state primary school, with a roll of 109 as of November 2024. The school was established in 1921.

## Railway station

Poukawa had a flag station, opened on 16 February 1876, as part of the Paki Paki to Te Aute section of the Palmerston North–Gisborne Line. By 1891 there were 3 trains a day in each direction, serving a shelter shed, platform, cart approach, loading bank and a short siding. In 1912 an automatic tablet exchanger was added. In 1929 a passing loop was added, which was moved north east, near to Te Mahanga Road, in 1958. In the 1931 earthquake the line near Te Mahanga Road was displaced by about 5 ft (1.5 m). In 1967 Te Mahunga Road crossing gained flashing lights and bells, which were added the next year to Station Road crossing as well. The station lost its passenger service on 3 August 1959 and closed on 1 August 1971.

### Te Hauke platform

After an 1884 petition for a platform at Te Hauke, 2 mi 27 ch (3.8 km) south of Poukawa, described as a Native Settlement, a short platform was provided in 1886 and a shelter shed in 1906. Te Hauke closed to all traffic on 21 Nov 1958.
| | Former adjoining stations | Former adjoining stations | Former adjoining stations | |
| Te Aute Line open, station closed 6.19 km (3.85 mi) | | Palmerston North–Gisborne Line | | Pakipaki Line open, station closed 10.04 km (6.24 mi) |