# Pohangina

Pohangina is a small rural community in the Manawatū-Whanganui region of New Zealand, just north of Ashhurst.
Pohangina is located along the foot of the Ruahine Range, and is primarily farming land. Farming varies from sheep and cattle to crops of maize and 'chow'. The farmland was originally ancient native forest. Rimu and northern rātā grew above 1000 feet, with kāmahi, kaikawaka and pink pine growing at higher and steeper slopes, leatherwood scrub growing at higher altitudes, and wild tussocks growing at the summits of the range.
The area still includes many conservation areas, including the Totara Reserve camping ground, the Pohangina River, Pohangina Wetlands reserve, and Pohangina Base, a former DOC field centre in the Ruahine Forest Park.
Pohangina includes a village, with several historical buildings, including a small chapel and at community hall built in 1933. The area is a fishing spot for brown trout and rainbow trout.
Pohangina translates as "ulcerated night", possibly suggesting the valley had been a place of bloodshed between the local Rangitāne Māori people and their enemies. However, the name is a corruption of the proper form, "Pou hangina", so is likely to reference posts or supports, metaphoric or physical.

## Demographics

Pohangina is defined by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement. It covers 5.81 km$^2$ (2.24 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 240 as of June 2024, with a population density of 41 people per km$^2$. It is part of the larger Pohangina-Apiti statistical area.
Pohangina had a population of 210 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 24 people (12.9%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 24 people (12.9%) since the 2006 census. There were 78 households, comprising 105 males and 108 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.97 males per female, with 42 people (20.0%) aged under 15 years, 24 (11.4%) aged 15 to 29, 120 (57.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 30 (14.3%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 92.9% European/Pākehā, 10.0% Māori, 2.9% Pacific peoples, 1.4% Asian, and 5.7% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 55.7% had no religion, 31.4% were Christian and 4.3% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 57 (33.9%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 18 (10.7%) people had no formal qualifications. 39 people (23.2%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 93 (55.4%) people were employed full-time, 18 (10.7%) were part-time, and 6 (3.6%) were unemployed.

### Pohangina-Apiti statistical area

Pohangina-Apiti statistical area, which also includes Āpiti, covers 681.60 km$^2$ (263.17 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 1,440 as of June 2024, with a population density of 2.1 people per km$^2$.
Pohangina-Apiti had a population of 1,227 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 132 people (12.1%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 162 people (15.2%) since the 2006 census. There were 459 households, comprising 618 males and 609 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.01 males per female. The median age was 43.2 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 273 people (22.2%) aged under 15 years, 162 (13.2%) aged 15 to 29, 639 (52.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 153 (12.5%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 95.6% European/Pākehā, 7.8% Māori, 1.5% Pacific peoples, 0.5% Asian, and 2.4% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 14.4, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 59.2% had no religion, 28.9% were Christian, 0.2% were Buddhist and 2.7% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 258 (27.0%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 141 (14.8%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $36,800, compared with $31,800 nationally. 213 people (22.3%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 558 (58.5%) people were employed full-time, 156 (16.4%) were part-time, and 15 (1.6%) were unemployed.

## Education

Awahou School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students, with a roll of 36 as of November 2024.