The suspension bridge at Maoribank, Upper Hutt City
Maoribank is a suburb of Upper Hutt, located 2–3 km east-northeast of the city centre. It was predominantly developed between 1950-1970 and had a population of just less than 1000 at the 2013 Census.[3]
It is located at the base of the Eastern Hutt Valley Hills, on a slight incline. Maoribank can be accessed from SH2 by exiting at either Mangaroa Hill Road or Moeraki Road. It is bordered by Timberlea by following Norana Road up the hill to the northeast, Brown Owl by crossing SH2, and Clouston Park to the southwest by crossing Mangaroa Hill Road. The Mangaroa Valley can be accessed by traversing Mangaroa Hill Road over the Mangaroa Hill in the Eastern Hutt Valley Hills.
While there are no shops in Maoribank, residents have access to a service station and small shopping centre in neighbouring Brown Owl. The shops in Central Upper Hutt are only 2 to 3 km away.[4]
Public transport
Maoribank is serviced by the Te Marua commuter bus route (#112), operated by Metlink.[5]
The Wairarapa Connection train on the Wairarapa Line goes through Maoribank but does not stop; the Maoribank Tunnel under Mount Marua Drive (539 metres or 1,767 feet long) was built during construction of the Rimutaka Tunnel in 1953–54.[6]
Demographics
Maoribank statistical area covers 3.49 km2 (1.35 sq mi)[1] and includes Timberlea. It had an estimated population of 3,630 as of June 2023,[2] with a population density of 1,040 people per km2.
Maoribank had a population of 3,318 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 477 people (16.8%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 753 people (29.4%) since the 2006 census. There were 1,125 households, comprising 1,680 males and 1,635 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.03 males per female. The median age was 35.1 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 738 people (22.2%) aged under 15 years, 675 (20.3%) aged 15 to 29, 1,581 (47.6%) aged 30 to 64, and 321 (9.7%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 77.6% European/Pākehā, 24.1% Māori, 7.1% Pasifika, 7.1% Asian, and 2.7% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 18.2, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 55.8% had no religion, 31.6% were Christian, 1.7% had Māori religious beliefs, 1.0% were Hindu, 0.3% were Muslim, 0.4% were Buddhist and 2.6% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 384 (14.9%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 483 (18.7%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $36,000, compared with $31,800 nationally. 492 people (19.1%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 1,449 (56.2%) people were employed full-time, 342 (13.3%) were part-time, and 129 (5.0%) were unemployed.[7]
Education
Maoribank School (Te Kura o Hau Karetu) is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 6 students,[8] with a roll of 131 as of February 2024.[9]