The name Paerata is a Māori term meaning a hill ridge (pae) bedecked with rata trees.[6] Paerata was served by the Paerata railway station for more than a century, until the station was closed. However, in early 2021, KiwiRail confirmed a new railway station to be situated in Paerata Rise.[7]
Infrastructure New Zealand suggested in October 2017 that the land around Paerata could be used for a new city with initially 30,000 homes, and a population of 500,000 people by 2050.[8]
Paerata Rise, a 300-hectare development north of the settlement was opened in 2018 and is still being developed in stages. It is expected to be completed by 2040.[9]
Demographics
Statistics New Zealand describes Paerata as a rural settlement, which covers 2.56km2 (0.99sqmi).[4] It had an estimated population of 1,380 as of June 2025,[5] with a population density of 539 people per km2. Paerata is part of the larger Ramarama statistical area.[10]
Historical population
Year
Pop.
±% p.a.
2006
303
—
2013
156
−9.05%
2018
135
−2.85%
2023
1,008
+49.49%
The 2006 population is for a sigificantly larger area of 5.95 km2. Source: [11][12]
Paerata in 1962
Paerata had a population of 1,008 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 873 people (646.7%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 852 people (546.2%) since the 2013 census. There were 516 males, 495 females and 3 people of other genders in 333 dwellings.[13] 1.8% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 32.2 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 240 people (23.8%) aged under 15 years, 213 (21.1%) aged 15 to 29, 489 (48.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 63 (6.2%) aged 65 or older.[12]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 59.5% European (Pākehā); 9.8% Māori; 19.0% Pasifika; 24.4% Asian; 1.8% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 1.2% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 94.0%, Māori language by 1.2%, Samoan by 2.4%, and other languages by 25.6%. No language could be spoken by 3.6% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.6%. The percentage of people born overseas was 39.6, compared with 28.8% nationally.[12]
Religious affiliations were 42.6% Christian, 8.3% Hindu, 0.9% Islam, 0.6% Buddhist, 0.3% New Age, 0.3% Jewish, and 2.4% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 40.8%, and 4.2% of people did not answer the census question.[12]
Of those at least 15 years old, 294 (38.3%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 348 (45.3%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 123 (16.0%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $67,100, compared with $41,500 nationally. 159 people (20.7%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 534 (69.5%) people were employed full-time, 75 (9.8%) were part-time, and 12 (1.6%) were unemployed.[12]
Dairy factories
New Zealand Dairy Co opened a factory on 6 March 1924. A fire at its Pukekohe factory hastened construction.[14] It was built of corrugated iron and used machinery previously intended for an upgrade to the Mount Eden factory.[15] From 1950 to 1956 milk powder was produced. Casein production began in 1956. Butter production ended in 1970. In 1996 it employed 170 people, but closed in 1998.[16] The factory then became a business park.[17]
NIG Nutritional's milk powder plant in Paerata opened in 2012[18] and was extended in 2019. It processes goat milk.[19]
Education
Wesley College entrance
Wesley College is a state-integrated secondary school (years 9–13) with a roll of 338.[20] The college was founded in 1844, making it the oldest registered secondary school in New Zealand, and moved to its current site in 1924.[21] It is associated with the Methodist Church of New Zealand.[22] The junior classes (years 9–10) are for boys only, and the senior classes are coeducational.[23]
Paerata School is a coeducational full primary school (years 1–8) with a roll of 167.[24] The school opened in 1921.[25] In 2021, the school moved its site to the Paerata Rise development[26]
