Putorino

Putorino
Pūtōrino
Rural settlement
The Bailey bridge spanning the Waikari River from 2023 to 2025
The Bailey bridge spanning the Waikari River from 2023 to 2025
Interactive map of Putorino
Coordinates: 39°08′S 177°00′E / 39.133°S 177.000°E / -39.133; 177.000
CountryNew Zealand
RegionHawke's Bay
Territorial authorityHastings District
Ward
  • Mohaka General Ward
  • Takitimu Māori Ward
CommunityHastings District Rural Community
SubdivisionTūtira subdivision
Electorates
Government
 • Territorial AuthorityHastings District Council
 • Mayor of HastingsWendy Schollum[1]
 • Napier MPKatie Nimon[2]
 • Ikaroa-Rāwhiti MPCushla Tangaere-Manuel[3]
Area
 • Total
124.21 km2 (47.96 sq mi)
Population
 (2023 Census)[5]
 • Total
78
 • Density0.63/km2 (1.6/sq mi)

Putorino (Māori: Pūtōrino) is a small farming settlement in northern Hawke's Bay, on the eastern side of New Zealand's North Island. It is located on State Highway 2 between Tutira and Mohaka,[6] on the Hastings side of the border between Hastings and Wairoa.[7]

Pūtōrino was originally a Māori settlement at the mouth of the Waikari River, at an important stopping point for canoes. It became a European settlement in the 1860s, and moved inland to the main Napier to Wairoa Road in the early 20th century. The modern village includes a hotel and sports centre.[7]

Flooding during Cyclone Gabrielle destroyed the State Highway 2 (SH2) bridge over the river at Putorino.[8] It was replaced by a Bailey bridge. In August-September 2025, the Bailey bridge was replaced by a wider and stronger Acrow bridge.[9]

Demographics

Putorino and its surrounds cover 124.21 km2 (47.96 sq mi).[4] It is part of the Puketitiri-Tutira statistical area.[10]

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
200699—    
201399+0.00%
201878−4.66%
202378+0.00%
Source: [5][11]

Putorino had a population of 78 in the 2023 New Zealand census, unchanged since the 2018 census, and a decrease of 21 people (−21.2%) since the 2013 census. There were 42 males and 36 females in 30 dwellings.[12] The median age was 39.2 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 12 people (15.4%) aged under 15 years, 15 (19.2%) aged 15 to 29, 42 (53.8%) aged 30 to 64, and 12 (15.4%) aged 65 or older.[5]

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 96.2% European (Pākehā), and 19.2% Māori. English was the only language spoken. The percentage of people born overseas was 7.7, compared with 28.8% nationally.[5]

The only religious affiliation given was 23.1% Christian. People who answered that they had no religion were 69.2%, and 7.7% of people did not answer the census question.[5]

Of those at least 15 years old, 9 (13.6%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 36 (54.5%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 18 (27.3%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $35,200, compared with $41,500 nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 36 (54.5%) full-time and 15 (22.7%) part-time.[5]

Education

Putorino School is a co-educational state primary school serving Years 1 to 8,[13] with a roll of 21 as of October 2025.[14][15] It opened in 1916.[16]

References

  1. ^ "2025 Triennial Elections Declaration of Result" (PDF). Electionz. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
  2. ^ "Napier - Official Result". Electoral Commission. 1 August 2025.
  3. ^ "Ikaroa-Rāwhiti – Official Result". New Zealand Electoral Commission. Retrieved 28 July 2025.
  4. ^ a b "Stats NZ Geographic Data Service". Statistical Area 1 2023 (generalised). Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  5. ^ a b c d e f "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. 7015818. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  6. ^ Hariss, Gavin. "Putorino, Hawke's Bay". topomap.co.nz. NZ Topo Map.
  7. ^ a b Pollock, Kerryn. "Putorino". Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Ministry for Culture and Heritage.
  8. ^ Moore, Heath (4 April 2024). "Cyclone Gabrielle: Frightening moment bridge bends, breaks away from road in seconds". Hawkes Bay Today.
  9. ^ "SH2 Waikare Bailey bridge to be replaced with wider, stronger, quieter bridge". NZ Transport Agency. 3 July 2025.
  10. ^ "Geographic Boundary Viewer". Stats NZ. Statistical Area 1 – 2023 and Statistical Area 2 – 2023.
  11. ^ "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. 7015818.
  12. ^ "Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  13. ^ "Putorino School - Education Counts". www.educationcounts.govt.nz.
  14. ^ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  15. ^ "Education Review Office Report". ero.govt.nz. Education Review Office.
  16. ^ "Our School and Community". Putorino School. Retrieved 8 September 2025.