Maheno is a small North Otago township south of Oamaru in New Zealand. The area has 75 residents. A number of the town's streets are named after places in Tyne and Wear, England, such as Whickham, Felling, Heworth and Jarrow. One of two New Zealand's hospital ships in World War I, the SS Maheno, was named after this town.[3]

Maheno
Rural settlement
Maheno war memorial
Maheno war memorial
Map
Coordinates: 45°10′S 170°50′E / 45.167°S 170.833°E / -45.167; 170.833
CountryNew Zealand
RegionOtago
Territorial authorityWaitaki District
WardCorriedale Ward
Electorates
Government
 • Territorial authorityWaitaki District Council
 • Regional councilOtago Regional Council
 • Mayor of WaitakiGary Kircher
 • Waitaki MPMiles Anderson
 • Te Tai Tonga MPTākuta Ferris
Area
 • Total
0.56 km2 (0.22 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2024)[2]
 • Total
130
 • Density230/km2 (600/sq mi)
Local iwiNgāi Tahu

Demographics

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Maheno is described as a rural settlement by Statistics New Zealand, and covers 0.56 km2 (0.22 sq mi).[1] It had an estimated population of 130 as of June 2024,[2] with a population density of 232 people per km2. It is part of a larger statistical area also called Maheno.

Historical population for Maheno settlement
YearPop.±% p.a.
2006144—    
2013108−4.03%
2018126+3.13%
Source: [4]

Maheno settlement had a population of 126 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 18 people (16.7%) since the 2013 census, and a decrease of 18 people (−12.5%) since the 2006 census. There were 54 households, comprising 66 males and 60 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.1 males per female. The median age was 54.7 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 12 people (9.5%) aged under 15 years, 21 (16.7%) aged 15 to 29, 63 (50.0%) aged 30 to 64, and 30 (23.8%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 92.9% European/Pākehā, 7.1% Māori, and 2.4% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 52.4% had no religion, and 35.7% were Christian.

Of those at least 15 years old, 9 (7.9%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 33 (28.9%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $22,200, compared with $31,800 nationally. 9 people (7.9%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 51 (44.7%) people were employed full-time, 21 (18.4%) were part-time, and 3 (2.6%) were unemployed.[4]

Maheno statistical area

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Maheno statistical area, which also includes Kakanui and Herbert, covers 262.45 km2 (101.33 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 2,190 as of June 2024,[5] with a population density of 8 people per km2.

Historical population for Maheno statistical area
YearPop.±% p.a.
20061,875—    
20131,818−0.44%
20181,968+1.60%
Source: [6]

Maheno statistical area had a population of 1,968 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 150 people (8.3%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 93 people (5.0%) since the 2006 census. There were 789 households, comprising 984 males and 984 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.0 males per female. The median age was 49.8 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 342 people (17.4%) aged under 15 years, 216 (11.0%) aged 15 to 29, 978 (49.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 426 (21.6%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 94.4% European/Pākehā, 6.6% Māori, 0.9% Pasifika, 2.7% Asian, and 1.4% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 11.6, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 53.7% had no religion, 37.3% were Christian, 0.2% were Muslim, 0.5% were Buddhist and 1.5% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 276 (17.0%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 369 (22.7%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $27,800, compared with $31,800 nationally. 231 people (14.2%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 786 (48.3%) people were employed full-time, 288 (17.7%) were part-time, and 33 (2.0%) were unemployed.[6]

St Andrew's Maheno

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St Andrew's Church in Maheno

St Andrew's Church in Maheno is part of the Anglican Parish of Oamaru-Maheno. Services are held every Sunday at 9am, apart from in January.

Maheno rugby

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Maheno
Club information
Full nameMaheno Rugby Football Club
ColoursGreen and Black
Founded1898
WebsiteNo current website
Current details
Ground(s)
  • Maheno Domain
CompetitionCitizens Shield

The Maheno Rugby Football Club play their home games at the Maheno Domain. The Maheno domain is situated along Kakanui Valley road, in Maheno.

Maheno School

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Maheno School is a full primary which caters for years 1 to 8[7] with a roll of 86 as of August 2024.[8]

Maheno School opened on 11 October 1875,[9] to the delight of many local parents. Peter Williams donated the valuable site in the centre of the town, while £150 had been locally subscribed to add to the £325 granted by the Government.[9] The architect was Thomas Forrester,[10][11] and Robert Peattie became the first teacher from 14 applicants.[9]

On the opening day fifty children were enrolled,[9] and by mid-1876 the school roll stood at 72 pupils.

The school went through numerous improvements starting with an additional classroom in 1883. By 1907 the school needed a third classroom to cope with a growing roll.

  • 1946 – The main block of the new school was built
  • 1957 – The school swimming pool was built
  • 1960 – The infant block was built
  • 1963 – The school dental clinic opened
  • 2013 – Work started on new main office and library refit

In 2013 principal Murray Nelson retired after 21 years heading the school.[citation needed]

In 2015, 2017 and 2019 school pupils have visited the wreck of the SS Maheno which is situated on Fraser Island, in Queensland, Australia.[12]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  3. ^ "The wreck of the TSS Maheno – an ANZAC story". University of Melbourne. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  4. ^ a b "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. 7027679.
  5. ^ "Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  6. ^ a b "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Maheno (343700). 2018 Census place summary: Maheno
  7. ^ Education Counts: Maheno School
  8. ^ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  9. ^ a b c d "Opening of Maheno School". North Otago Times. 14 October 1875. p. 2. Retrieved 28 September 2009.
  10. ^ "Maheno School". North Otago Times. 5 August 1875. p. 2. Retrieved 28 September 2009.
  11. ^ Greenaway, Richard L. N. "Forrester, Thomas 1838 – 1907". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 28 September 2009.
  12. ^ Walton, Steven (18 February 2022). "The fascinating history of a WWI ship that has rested on a beach for 86 years". Stuff. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
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