Makahika
{{short description|Locality in Manawatū-Whanganui, New Zealand}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=May 2021}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Makahika
| native_name =
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| settlement_type = Rural locality
| image_skyline = Snow on the Ranges (28533143760).jpg
| imagesize =
| image_alt =
| image_caption = Looking east across Makahika to the Tararua Range
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| image_map = {{infobox mapframe|coord={{coord|-40.637|175.399}}|zoom=10}}
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| pushpin_label_position = bottom
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| coordinates = {{coord|-40.637|175.399|display=inline,title}}
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| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = New Zealand
| subdivision_type1 = Region
| subdivision_name1 = Manawatū-Whanganui region
| subdivision_type2 = Territorial authority
| subdivision_name2 = Horowhenua District
| subdivision_type3 = Wards
| subdivision_name3 = {{ubl|Waiopehu General Ward|Horowhenua Māori Ward}}
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| seat_type = Electorates
| seat = {{ubl|Ōtaki|Te Tai Hauāuru (Māori)}}
| government_footnotes =
| leader_title = Territorial Authority
| leader_name = Horowhenua District Council
| leader_title1 = Regional council
| leader_name1 = Horizons Regional Council
| leader_title2 = Horowhenua Mayor
| leader_name2 = {{NZ officeholder data|Horowhenua District Mayor|y}}
| leader_title3 = Ōtaki MP
| leader_name3 = {{NZ officeholder data|Ōtaki MP|y}}
| leader_title4 = Te Tai Hauāuru MP
| leader_name4 = {{NZ officeholder data|Te Tai Hauāuru MP|y}}
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| area_total_km2 = 170.32
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| population_footnotes = {{NZ population data 2023 SA2||||y}}
| population_total = {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Makahika|y}}
| population_as_of = {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|||y}}
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}}
Makahika is a rural locality in the Horowhenua District of the Manawatū-Whanganui region of New Zealand's North Island. It is located in the Makahika Stream valley. The stream runs southwest from the Tararua Range to join the Ōhau River.{{cite map|url=https://www.topomap.co.nz/NZTopoMap/nz46400/Makahika/Manawatu-Wanganui|title=Makahika, Manawatu-Wanganui}}
The Mangahao Makahika Track is a 15 km tramping track through the Tararua Range which takes 6-8 hours one-way depending on direction.{{cite web|url=https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/wellington-kapiti/places/tararua-forest-park/things-to-do/tracks/mangahao-makahika-track/|title=Mangahao Makahika Track|publisher=Department of Conservation|accessdate=13 May 2021}}
Glamping accommodation is available at Arete Village, part of the Makahika Outdoor Pursuits Centre.{{cite news|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/travel/hotel-review-refresh-and-reconnect-at-arete-village-horowhenua/LPCFJPI27XECN5XKQ55B6YBVMQ/|title=Hotel review: Refresh and reconnect at Arete Village, Horowhenua|newspaper=New Zealand Herald|date=21 January 2021|first=Bethany|last=Reitsma}}
Demographics
Makahika statistical area covers {{Convert|170.32|km2||abbr=on}}.{{Cite web|title=ArcGIS Web Application|url=https://statsnz.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=6f49867abe464f86ac7526552fe19787|access-date=28 January 2024|website=statsnz.maps.arcgis.com}} It had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Makahika|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|||y|||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Makahika|y}}|R}}/170.32|1}} people per km2.
{{Historical populations|2006|807|2013|858|2018|960|percentages=pagr|align=left|source=}}
Makahika had a population of 960 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 102 people (11.9%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 153 people (19.0%) since the 2006 census. There were 372 households, comprising 504 males and 456 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.11 males per female. The median age was 50.6 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 138 people (14.4%) aged under 15 years, 138 (14.4%) aged 15 to 29, 495 (51.6%) aged 30 to 64, and 189 (19.7%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 91.9% European/Pākehā, 11.9% Māori, 2.5% Pasifika, 2.5% Asian, and 1.9% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 16.2, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 56.2% had no religion, 33.4% were Christian, 0.6% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.3% were Buddhist and 1.2% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 138 (16.8%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 168 (20.4%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $30,000, compared with $31,800 nationally. 135 people (16.4%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 372 (45.3%) people were employed full-time, 150 (18.2%) were part-time, and 21 (2.6%) were unemployed.{{NZ census 2018|Makahika (236000)|makahika|Makahika}}