# Rawhitiroa

Rawhitiroa is a locality situated in South Taranaki, New Zealand. It is positioned approximately 6.5 km east of Eltham.
According to the New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage, Rāwhitiroa translates to "long-shining sun".

## Demographics

Rawhitiroa is in an SA1 statistical area which covers 18.99 km$^2$ (7.33 sq mi). The SA1 area is part of the larger Te Roti-Moeroa statistical area.
The SA1 area had a population of 177 at the 2018 New Zealand census, unchanged since the 2013 census, and a decrease of 9 people (−4.8%) since the 2006 census. There were 75 households, comprising 90 males and 87 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.03 males per female. The median age was 39.4 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 39 people (22.0%) aged under 15 years, 30 (16.9%) aged 15 to 29, 90 (50.8%) aged 30 to 64, and 18 (10.2%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 93.2% European/Pākehā, 11.9% Māori, and 1.7% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 32.2% had no religion, and 50.8% were Christian.
Of those at least 15 years old, 9 (6.5%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 33 (23.9%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $35,600, compared with $31,800 nationally. 18 people (13.0%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 81 (58.7%) people were employed full-time, 18 (13.0%) were part-time, and 3 (2.2%) were unemployed.

### Te Roti-Moeroa statistical area

Te Roti-Moeroa statistical area covers 361.93 km$^2$ (139.74 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 820 as of June 2023, with a population density of 2.3 people per km$^2$.
Te Roti-Moeroa had a population of 789 at the 2018 New Zealand census, a decrease of 24 people (−3.0%) since the 2013 census, and a decrease of 9 people (−1.1%) since the 2006 census. There were 285 households, comprising 411 males and 375 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.1 males per female. The median age was 38.6 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 180 people (22.8%) aged under 15 years, 120 (15.2%) aged 15 to 29, 375 (47.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 111 (14.1%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 92.0% European/Pākehā, 12.5% Māori, 1.1% Asian, and 1.1% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 7.6, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 49.8% had no religion, 40.3% were Christian, and 1.1% had Māori religious beliefs.
Of those at least 15 years old, 60 (9.9%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 153 (25.1%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $34,400, compared with $31,800 nationally. 99 people (16.3%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 327 (53.7%) people were employed full-time, 102 (16.7%) were part-time, and 9 (1.5%) were unemployed.

## Marae

The local Ararātā Marae is a tribal meeting ground for the Ngāti Ruanui hapū of Ngāti Hawe.

## Education

Rawhitiroa School is a coeducational full primary (years 1-8) school with a roll of 48 students as of August 2024. The school opened on 11 December 1897, and was initially called Andersen Road School. The school was completely destroyed by fire twice, in 1944 and 1976, and rebuilt each time. Mangamingi School, which opened in 1903, was closed and merged with Rawhitiroa School at the end of 1988.