# Pirinoa

Pirinoa is a rural community east of Lake Wairarapa, in the South Wairarapa District and Wellington Region of New Zealand's North Island. It includes the rural settlement of Pirinoa, and the coastal settlement of Whāngaimoana.

## Marae

Kohunui Marae, located in Pirinoa, is a tribal meeting ground for the Ngāti Kahungunu hapū of Ngāi Rangawhakairi, Ngāti Rākairangi and Ngāti Tūkoko, and the Rangitāne hapū of Ngāti Tūkoko. It has a wharenui or meeting house, called Te Tihi o Tuhirangi.
In October 2020, the Government committed $2,179,654 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade Ngāi Tumapuhia a Rangi ki Okautete, Motuwairaka, Pāpāwai, Kohunui, Hurunui o Rangi and Te Oreore marae. The projects were expected to create 19.8 full time jobs.

## Demographics

Pirinoa is in two SA1 statistical areas which cover 68.89 km$^2$ (26.60 sq mi). The SA1 areas are part of the larger Aorangi Forest statistical area.
Pirinoa had a population of 225 at the 2018 New Zealand census, unchanged since the 2013 census, and a decrease of 18 people (−7.4%) since the 2006 census. There were 90 households, comprising 117 males and 108 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.08 males per female, with 51 people (22.7%) aged under 15 years, 39 (17.3%) aged 15 to 29, 99 (44.0%) aged 30 to 64, and 39 (17.3%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 89.3% European/Pākehā, 24.0% Māori, and 2.7% Pasifika. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 56.0% had no religion, 30.7% were Christian, 2.7% had Māori religious beliefs, and 1.3% were Buddhist.
Of those at least 15 years old, 33 (19.0%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 27 (15.5%) people had no formal qualifications. 21 people (12.1%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 93 (53.4%) people were employed full-time, 36 (20.7%) were part-time, and 0 (0.0%) were unemployed.

### Aorangi Forest statistical area

Aorangi Forest statistical area, which surrounds but does not include Martinborough and extends south to Cape Palliser, covers 1,578.96 km$^2$ (609.64 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 1,560 as of June 2023, with a population density of 1.0 people per km$^2$.
Aorangi Forest had a population of 1,464 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 90 people (6.6%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 255 people (21.1%) since the 2006 census. There were 594 households, comprising 756 males and 708 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.07 males per female. The median age was 46.5 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 270 people (18.4%) aged under 15 years, 198 (13.5%) aged 15 to 29, 681 (46.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 318 (21.7%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 92.8% European/Pākehā, 15.4% Māori, 1.0% Pasifika, 0.6% Asian, and 1.2% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 13.1, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 58.6% had no religion, 33.0% were Christian, 0.6% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.4% were Buddhist and 1.0% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 285 (23.9%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 186 (15.6%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $37,000, compared with $31,800 nationally. 264 people (22.1%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 627 (52.5%) people were employed full-time, 210 (17.6%) were part-time, and 15 (1.3%) were unemployed.

## Education

Pirinoa School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students, with a roll of 47 as of August 2024.