Pongakawa

NZDep 6
Pop 3,261Median age 36Western Bay of Plenty District

Pongakawa is a small suburb in Bay of Plenty with a population of 3,261 and a median age of 36. Median personal income is $42K per year. The main ethnic groups are European, Māori, Asian.

Median weekly rent in Pongakawa is $600 (600 houses, 0 units). This represents approximately 74% of median weekly personal income.

Livability indicators for Pongakawa: NZDep decile 6 (moderate deprivation); 4 schools with avg EQI 484.

In 2026, Pongakawa recorded 0 building approvals (0 houses, 0 units), down 100% year-on-year.

INVESTMENT SIGNALS
Rent Affordability74% Stretched
School QualityEQI 484 Below Average
DeprivationDecile 6 Moderate
Development-100% Slowing
RENTAL MARKET
Median Rent /wk$600
House Rent /wk$600
Rent-to-Income74.1%
Lodgements24
1/10/2025
DEMOGRAPHICS
Population3,261
Median Age36
Household Size
Personal Income$42K/yr
Household Income
ETHNICITY
European69.6%
Māori22.7%
Asian3.5%
Pacific Peoples3.3%
MELAA0.9%
TOP INDUSTRIES
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing609
Construction189
Manufacturing141
SCHOOLS (4)
Avg EQI484
Total Students562
State4
Pongakawa SchoolFull Primary · State · EQI 448 · 296 students
Paengaroa SchoolContributing · State · EQI 468 · 187 students
Otamarakau SchoolFull Primary · State · EQI 466 · 65 students
Pukehina SchoolFull Primary · State · EQI 555 · 14 students
LIVABILITY (NZDep 2023)
Deprivation Decile6/10
NZDep Score1003
Moderate deprivation — typical of many NZ suburbs.
DEVELOPMENT
Approvals (2026)0
YoY Change-100%
Data: Stats NZ Census 2023 · MBIE · MoE · NZDep2023