The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "place of Hau" for Ōhau, but an alternative meaning could be "windy place".[4]
The former Ohau railway station is located in Ohau.[5] It operated from 1886 to 1987,[6] with most services ending in 1971.[7]
Ōhau is defined by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement and covers 4.47 km2 (1.73 sq mi).[1] It had an estimated population of 850 as of June 2024,[2] with a population density of 190 people per km2. It is part of the larger Ōhau-Manakau statistical area.
Before the 2023 census, the settlement had a larger boundary, covering 6.12 km2 (2.36 sq mi).[1] Using that boundary, Ōhau had a population of 666 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 105 people (18.7%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 228 people (52.1%) since the 2006 census. There were 249 households, comprising 351 males and 315 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.11 males per female, with 93 people (14.0%) aged under 15 years, 96 (14.4%) aged 15 to 29, 309 (46.4%) aged 30 to 64, and 168 (25.2%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 95.5% European/Pākehā, 11.3% Māori, 1.4% Pasifika, 1.8% Asian, and 0.5% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 52.3% had no religion, 36.0% were Christian, 0.5% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.5% were Hindu, 0.5% were Muslim and 0.9% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 81 (14.1%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 117 (20.4%) people had no formal qualifications. 93 people (16.2%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 264 (46.1%) people were employed full-time, 87 (15.2%) were part-time, and 15 (2.6%) were unemployed.[11]
Ōhau-Manakau
Ōhau-Manakau statistical area, which includes Manakau, covers 41.75 km2 (16.12 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 2,450 as of June 2024,[12] with a population density of 58.68 people per km2.
Before the 2023 census, the statistical area had a larger boundary, covering 42.23 km2 (16.31 sq mi).[1] Using that boundary, Ōhau-Manakau had a population of 2,154 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 369 people (20.7%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 363 people (20.3%) since the 2006 census. There were 825 households, comprising 1,086 males and 1,065 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.02 males per female. The median age was 51.4 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 318 people (14.8%) aged under 15 years, 291 (13.5%) aged 15 to 29, 969 (45.0%) aged 30 to 64, and 573 (26.6%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 84.7% European/Pākehā, 17.3% Māori, 3.1% Pasifika, 5.2% Asian, and 1.0% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 17.1, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 52.8% had no religion, 35.1% were Christian, 0.4% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.6% were Hindu, 0.1% were Muslim, 0.4% were Buddhist and 1.5% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 249 (13.6%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 441 (24.0%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $27,600, compared with $31,800 nationally. 243 people (13.2%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 849 (46.2%) people were employed full-time, 255 (13.9%) were part-time, and 60 (3.3%) were unemployed.[13]
Education
Ōhau School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students,[14][15] with a roll of 157 as of November 2024.[16]
^New Zealand Railway and Tramway Atlas (First ed.). Quail Map Co. 1965. pp. 3 & 4.
^Pierre, Bill (1981). North Island Main Trunk. Wellington: A.H&A.W Reed. pp. 289–290. ISBN0589013165.
^Scoble, Juliet (2012). Names & Opening & Closing Dates of Railway Stations in New Zealand, 1863 to 2012. Wellington: Rail Heritage Trust of New Zealand.
