It consists of a primary school, pub (currently closed), Catholic Church (currently closed), petrol station (currently closed), marae, and a sports complex/community centre (open for meals fortnightly). The sports complex and community centre were destroyed by a fire in the early hours of January 16, 2020, but rebuilt and opened in September 2023.[4]
Kirikopuni and Pukehuia both had railway stations on the Dargaville Branch for the movement of stock throughout Northland and a passenger service.
History and culture
A Wesleyan mission station was set up by James Wallis in 1836,[5] and then run by James Buller.[6] The station lasted until 1853.[7] Kauri logs were sent down the river to be milled in the mid-1860s.[8] A flax mill operated in the late 19th century.[9]
A steamer service up the Wairoa River was established to Tangiteroria by the Tangihua in 1878, and Watson's Landing and store flourished there in 1881. The S.S. Blanche ran a service between Dargaville and Tangiteroria in 1891-2, and the S.S. Ethel was doing the run twice a week in 1896. It was replaced by the S.S. Naumai from 1903-1920. The service finished in 1929.[10] Road access was established in the 1890s.[11]
The SA1 statistical area had a population of 198 in the 2023 New Zealand census, a decrease of 6 people (−2.9%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 30 people (17.9%) since the 2013 census. There were 105 males and 93 females in 87 dwellings.[17] 3.0% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 46.9 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 33 people (16.7%) aged under 15 years, 36 (18.2%) aged 15 to 29, 90 (45.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 39 (19.7%) aged 65 or older.[16]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 86.4% European (Pākehā), 22.7% Māori, 3.0% Pasifika, 1.5% Asian, and 3.0% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 98.5%, Māori language by 4.5%, Samoan by 1.5%, and other languages by 3.0%. No language could be spoken by 3.0% (e.g. too young to talk). The percentage of people born overseas was 15.2, compared with 28.8% nationally.
The only religious affiliation given was 21.2% Christian. People who answered that they had no religion were 59.1%, and 16.7% of people did not answer the census question.
Of those at least 15 years old, 12 (7.3%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 105 (63.6%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 39 (23.6%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $38,000, compared with $41,500 nationally. 12 people (7.3%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 87 (52.7%) people were employed full-time, 21 (12.7%) were part-time, and 3 (1.8%) were unemployed.[16]
Maungaru statistical area
Maungaru statistical area, which also includes Tangowahine, covers 691.81km2 (267.11sqmi)[14] and had an estimated population of 1,860 as of June 2025,[18] with a population density of 2.7 people per km2.
Historical population for Maungaru statistical area
Maungaru had a population of 1,836 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 36 people (2.0%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 150 people (8.9%) since the 2013 census. There were 924 males, 900 females and 12 people of other genders in 687 dwellings.[21] 2.3% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 44.6 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 327 people (17.8%) aged under 15 years, 309 (16.8%) aged 15 to 29, 840 (45.8%) aged 30 to 64, and 357 (19.4%) aged 65 or older.[20]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 89.2% European (Pākehā); 24.7% Māori; 3.8% Pasifika; 3.3% Asian; 0.5% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.8% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 97.5%, Māori language by 3.9%, Samoan by 0.5%, and other languages by 4.7%. No language could be spoken by 2.1% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.3%. The percentage of people born overseas was 10.5, compared with 28.8% nationally.
Of those at least 15 years old, 126 (8.3%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 933 (61.8%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 408 (27.0%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $34,100, compared with $41,500 nationally. 108 people (7.2%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 765 (50.7%) people were employed full-time, 249 (16.5%) were part-time, and 27 (1.8%) were unemployed.[20]
Education
Tangiteroria School is a coeducational full primary (years 1-8) school with a roll of 32 students as of March 2026.[22][23] The school was established in 1886.[24]
