Kaponga#Kaponga-Mangatoki

The small town of Kaponga was settled in 1882, and has strong Swiss connections.{{cite web|url=http://www.jasons.co.nz/kaponga|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110602013543/http://www.jasons.co.nz/kaponga|url-status=usurped|archive-date=2 June 2011|title=Kaponga Travel Guide |publisher=Jasons Travel Media}} Some of the first settlers in the area were Swiss, and in 1952, the Taranaki Swiss Club was formed.For the history of this society, see {{citation |first1 = Theresa |last1 = Gut |first2 = Werner |last2 = Gut |title = Made in Switzerland - for Kaponga |place = Eltham, [N.Z.] |publisher = Taylormade Productions |year = 2006 }}.

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.See {{citation |title = Hollard gardens, Kaponga, Taranaki |place = Wellington, [N.Z.]|publisher = Queen Elizabeth II National Trust (N.Z.) |year = 1985 }}.

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.

Kaponga is defined by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement. It covers {{Convert|1.56|km2||abbr=on}} and had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2018|Kaponga|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2018|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Kaponga|y}}|R}}/1.56|0}} people per km². It is part of the larger Kaponga-Mangatoki statistical area.{{Cite web|title=ArcGIS Web Application|url=https://statsnz.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=6f49867abe464f86ac7526552fe19787|access-date=21 March 2023|website=statsnz.maps.arcgis.com}}

{{Historical populations|2006|363|2013|297|2018|309|percentages=pagr|align=left|title=Historical population for Kaponga|source=}}

Image:Mtegmontkpk.jpg taken from a residential home in Kaponga]]

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.{{NZ census 2018|7017390 and 7017391}}

Kaponga-Mangatoki statistical area covers {{Convert|172.81|km2||abbr=on}} and had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Kaponga-Mangatoki|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Kaponga-Mangatoki|y}}|R}}/172.81|1}} people per km².

{{Historical populations|2006|1,371|2013|1,281|2018|1,305|percentages=pagr|align=left|title=Historical population for Kaponga-Mangatoki|source=}}

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.{{NZ census 2018|Kaponga-Mangatoki (220800)|kaponga-mangatoki|Kaponga-Mangatoki}}

Kaponga School is a school with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|2095|y}} students.{{TKI|2095|Kaponga School}} The school was founded in 1891.{{Citation |url=https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-ArnSett-b6.html |title = Kaponga School centenary, 1891-1991 |author = Kaponga School Centennial Committee |year = 1991 |isbn = 0-473-01432-7 |publisher=The School? |location=Kaponga, N.Z. }} In 2005, Kapuni and Mahoe schools closed and merged into Kaponga School.{{cite web|url=http://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/statistics/schooling/directories/?a=7772|title=Mergers, Closures and New Schools, January 2005 - December 2005|publisher=Education Counts|format=XLS|access-date=3 July 2008|archive-date=15 October 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081015134059/http://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/statistics/schooling/directories/?a=7772|url-status=dead}}

St Patrick's School is a state integrated Catholic school with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|2240|y}} students.{{TKI|2240|St Patrick's School}} St Patrick's started in 1921 with lessons held in the local church. It moved into its own building in February 1922.{{cite web|url=http://www.stpatskaponga.school.nz/history.php|title=Our History|publisher=St Patrick's School}}

Both are coeducational full primary schools, covering years 1-8. Rolls are as of {{NZ school roll data|||y|y||.}}

The Kaponga Soccer Club{{Cite web|title=Kaponga Soccer Club - Home|url=https://www.sporty.co.nz/kapongasoccer/Home|access-date=2020-06-10|website=www.sporty.co.nz}} was formed in 1906 and is one of the oldest football clubs in Taranaki.{{Cite web|title=Sport 1900–08 {{!}} NZETC|url=http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-ArnSett-c10-2.html|access-date=2020-06-10|website=nzetc.victoria.ac.nz}} The club has won the Taranaki Championship three times, in 1909{{Cite web|last=specified|first=Not|title=Group portrait of a male soccer team from Kaponga|url=https://natlib.govt.nz/records/22357045|access-date=2020-06-10|website=Group portrait of a male soccer team ... {{!}} Items {{!}} National Library of New Zealand {{!}} National Library of New Zealand|language=en}} 1912 and 1924.{{Cite web|title=New Zealand - List of Champions|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesn/nzchamp.html|access-date=2020-06-10|website=RSSSF}} 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.

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.stpatskaponga.school.nz St Patrick's School website]
• [http://www.kaponga.school.nz/ Kaponga Primary School website]
• [http://www.hollardgardens.info Hollard Gardens website]
• [http://www.constablecottage.co.nz Constable Cottage ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180419005335/http://www.constablecottage.co.nz/ |date=19 April 2018 }}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20070310212724/http://www.totaltravel.co.nz/travel/new-zealand/taranaki/taranaki/activities/adventuresport/mt-taranaki-adventures/ Mt Taranaki Adventures ]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20060820155831/http://swiss.org.nz/home.php?ID=38 Taranaki Swiss Club ]
• [https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-ArnSett.html Settler Kaponga by R. Arnold, eText]
• [https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/ArnSett-fig-ArnSett016a.html Photo of a Kaponga settler's home, 1900 (from Arnold)]
• [https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/ArnSett-fig-ArnSett232a.html Photo of a wagon in Kaponga c1911 (from Arnold)]

{{South Taranaki District}}

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Category:Populated places in Taranaki

Category:South Taranaki District