# Kaponga

Kaponga is a small town in the southern part of the Taranaki region of New Zealand. It is known as "The Gateway to Dawson's Falls" on Mount Taranaki. Kaponga is located inland from Manaia and Eltham, and is on the main road connecting Eltham to Ōpunake. Ōpunake is 26 kilometres (16 mi) to the west and Eltham is 13 km to the east. Auroa lies to the south-east. Manaia is 15 kilometres (9 mi) south of Kaponga.

## History

The small town of Kaponga was settled in 1882, and has strong Swiss connections. Some of the first settlers in the area were Swiss, and in 1952, the Taranaki Swiss Club was formed.
The town was once a much larger town than it is today: with many stores. There are only a few shops now. It is also home to a garden of national significance, Hollard Gardens.
There are many other businesses working in and around the village, mainly relying on the booming dairy industry. The Kaponga and surrounding community has a South Taranaki District Council LibraryPlus, which provides a full library service and Council related services. These services include being able to register your dog, pay your rates or inquire about obtaining a building permit. The LibraryPlus also has two APN computers, offering free internet and Skype to the public.

## Demographics

Kaponga is defined by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement. It covers 1.56 km$^2$ (0.60 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 340 as of June 2023, with a population density of 218 people per km$^2$. It is part of the larger Kaponga-Mangatoki statistical area.
Kaponga had a population of 309 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 12 people (4.0%) since the 2013 census, and a decrease of 54 people (−14.9%) since the 2006 census. There were 126 households, comprising 171 males and 144 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.19 males per female, with 63 people (20.4%) aged under 15 years, 54 (17.5%) aged 15 to 29, 159 (51.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 33 (10.7%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 81.6% European/Pākehā, 28.2% Māori, 4.9% Pacific peoples, 2.9% Asian, and 2.9% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 56.3% had no religion, and 29.1% were Christian.
Of those at least 15 years old, 18 (7.3%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 78 (31.7%) people had no formal qualifications. 27 people (11.0%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 120 (48.8%) people were employed full-time, 24 (9.8%) were part-time, and 9 (3.7%) were unemployed.

### Kaponga-Mangatoki statistical area

Kaponga-Mangatoki statistical area covers 172.81 km$^2$ (66.72 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 1,410 as of June 2023, with a population density of 8.2 people per km$^2$.
Kaponga-Mangatoki had a population of 1,305 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 24 people (1.9%) since the 2013 census, and a decrease of 66 people (−4.8%) since the 2006 census. There were 471 households, comprising 699 males and 609 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.15 males per female. The median age was 34.1 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 336 people (25.7%) aged under 15 years, 240 (18.4%) aged 15 to 29, 618 (47.4%) aged 30 to 64, and 111 (8.5%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 88.5% European/Pākehā, 14.0% Māori, 2.3% Pacific peoples, 4.6% Asian, and 1.8% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 9.2, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 51.7% had no religion, 35.4% were Christian, 0.5% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.5% were Buddhist and 1.1% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 87 (9.0%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 270 (27.9%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $31,700, compared with $31,800 nationally. 153 people (15.8%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 531 (54.8%) people were employed full-time, 141 (14.6%) were part-time, and 27 (2.8%) were unemployed.

## Education

Kaponga School is a school with a roll of 52 students. The school was founded in 1891. In 2005, Kapuni and Mahoe schools closed and merged into Kaponga School.
St Patrick's School is a state integrated Catholic school with a roll of 22 students. St Patrick's started in 1921 with lessons held in the local church. It moved into its own building in February 1922.
Both are coeducational full primary schools, covering years 1-8. Rolls are as of August 2024.

## Association Football

The Kaponga Soccer Club was formed in 1906 and is one of the oldest football clubs in Taranaki. The club has won the Taranaki Championship three times, in 1909 1912 and 1924. In 1926 the club won the Manaia Hibernian Society 7-a-side cup before disbanding for a time. A new club emerged in the area under the name Egmont United in 1929, made from Kaponga, Auroa, Eltham and Stratford players before dissolving in 1931.