Makahu
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2015}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=May 2015}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name = Makahu
|image_skyline = Hidden waterfall - panoramio.jpg
|image_caption = Waterfall near the Makahu tunnel
|subdivision_type = Country
|subdivision_name = New Zealand
|subdivision_type1= Region
|subdivision_name1= Taranaki
|subdivision_type2= District
|subdivision_name2= Stratford District
|image_map = {{infobox_mapframe|coords={{coord|39|16|54|S|174|37|50|E}}|zoom=8}}
|pushpin_map =
|pushpin_label_position = left
|coordinates = {{coord|39|16|54|S|174|37|50|E|region:NZ|display=inline,title}}
}}
Makahu is a settlement in inland Taranaki, in the western North Island of New Zealand. It is located to the southeast of Strathmore. The Makahu Stream runs south through the area to join with the Mangaehu Stream, which flows into the Patea River.{{cite book|title=Reed New Zealand Atlas|year=2004|isbn=0-7900-0952-8|editor=Peter Dowling |publisher=Reed Books|at=Map 35}}{{cite book|title=The Geographic Atlas of New Zealand|year=2005|isbn=1-877333-20-4|author=Roger Smith, GeographX|publisher=Robbie Burton|at=Map 86}}
Demographics
Makahu is in an SA1 statistical area which covers {{Convert|470.41|km2||abbr=on}}{{Cite web|title=Stats NZ Geographic Data Service|url=https://datafinder.stats.govt.nz/data/|at=Statistical Area 1 2023 (generalised)|access-date=10 February 2025}} and includes an area within the Stratford District east of Strathmore. The SA1 area is part of the larger Douglas statistical area.{{NZ census place summary 2018|douglas|Douglas}}
{{Historical populations|2006|216|2013|168|2018|204|2023|189|percentages=pagr|align=left|source={{NZ census 2018|7017301}}}}
The SA1 area had a population of 189 in the 2023 New Zealand census, a decrease of 15 people (−7.4%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 21 people (12.5%) since the 2013 census. There were 108 males and 81 females in 75 dwellings.{{cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_009&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=doTotal%2Bdo1.7017301.2023&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_DWD_003|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses}} The median age was 37.3 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 51 people (27.0%) aged under 15 years, 27 (14.3%) aged 15 to 29, 81 (42.9%) aged 30 to 64, and 30 (15.9%) aged 65 or older.
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 95.2% European (Pākehā), 19.0% Māori, 1.6% Asian, and 3.2% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 95.2%, Māori language by 1.6%, and other languages by 1.6%. No language could be spoken by 3.2% (e.g. too young to talk). The percentage of people born overseas was 6.3, compared with 28.8% nationally.
Religious affiliations were 28.6% Christian, and 1.6% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 61.9%, and 7.9% of people did not answer the census question.
Of those at least 15 years old, 18 (13.0%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 90 (65.2%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 33 (23.9%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $36,300, compared with $41,500 nationally. 6 people (4.3%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 78 (56.5%) people were employed full-time, 27 (19.6%) were part-time, and 3 (2.2%) were unemployed.{{Cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_012&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=hq011%2Bhq010%2Bhq009%2Bhq008%2Bhq007%2Bhq006%2Bhq005%2Bhq004%2Bhq003%2Bhq002%2Bhq001%2Bhq000%2Bws1%2Bsp99%2Bra80%2Bra08%2Bra07%2Bra06%2Bra05%2Bra01%2Bra04%2Bra03%2Bra02%2Bra00%2Brb1%2Bls66%2Bls03%2Bls02%2Bls05%2Bls04%2Bls01%2Beg6%2Beg5%2Beg4%2Beg3%2Beg2%2Beg1%2BbiTotal%2Bbi0%2Bbi1%2BasTotalLG%2Bas4%2Bas3%2Bas2%2Bas1%2Bws4%2Bws3%2Bws2%2Bge3%2Bge2%2Bge1%2Brc%2BasMed%2BegTotal%2BlsTotal%2BgeTotal%2BrbTotal%2BraTotal%2BhqTotal%2BibTotal%2Bib7%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.7017301.2013%2B2018%2B2023&to[TIME]=false&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_IND_003&ly[cl]=CEN23_YEAR_001|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses|at=7017301}}
Education
Makahu School is a coeducational full primary school (years 1–8){{TKI|2185|Makahu School}} with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|2185|y}} as of {{NZ school roll data|||y|y||.}} The school was founded in 1905, and is listed in the Stratford District Council’s Heritage Inventory due to its historical and social significance to the area.{{cite journal|url=http://www.edgazette.govt.nz/notices.php?action=view&id=602203|title=Makahu School 100 Year Jubilee|journal=Education Gazette New Zealand|volume=83|issue=8|date=10 May 2004}}{{dead link|date=April 2009|fix-attempted=yes}}{{cite web |title=Makahu School |url=https://www.stratford.govt.nz/repository/libraries/id:2cvuccagl1cxbygm8445/hierarchy/Heritage%20Inventory%20Documents/Makahu%20School.pdf |website=Stratford District Council Heritage Inventory |publisher=Stratford District Council |access-date=11 June 2025}}
Notable people
- Kelly Jury, Silver Fern netball player{{Cite web|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/stratford-press/news/netball-silver-ferns-player-living-proof-small-towns-make-big-stars/53TDJOPORJQ7WUGSNV45HI7DSA/|title=Netball: Silver Ferns player living proof small towns make big stars|newspaper=Stratford Press|date=23 September 2020}}