Papatawa

NZDep 4
Pop 1,401Median age 44Tararua District

Papatawa is a small community in Manawatu-Whanganui with a population of 1,401 and a median age of 44. Median personal income is $40K per year. The main ethnic groups are European, Māori, Asian.

Median weekly rent in Papatawa is $420 (420 houses, 0 units). This represents approximately 55% of median weekly personal income.

Livability indicators for Papatawa: NZDep decile 4 (moderate deprivation); 1 school with avg EQI 451.

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

INVESTMENT SIGNALS
Rent Affordability55% Stretched
School QualityEQI 451 Average
DeprivationDecile 4 Moderate
Development-100% Slowing
RENTAL MARKET
Median Rent /wk$420
House Rent /wk$420
Rent-to-Income54.7%
Lodgements12
1/04/2025
DEMOGRAPHICS
Population1,401
Median Age44
Household Size
Personal Income$40K/yr
Household Income
ETHNICITY
European75.6%
Māori21.1%
Asian1.9%
Pacific Peoples1.3%
TOP INDUSTRIES
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing273
Manufacturing69
Construction54
SCHOOLS (1)
Avg EQI451
Total Students161
State1
Ruahine SchoolFull Primary · State · EQI 451 · 161 students
LIVABILITY (NZDep 2023)
Deprivation Decile4/10
NZDep Score959
Moderate deprivation — typical of many NZ suburbs.
DEVELOPMENT
Approvals (2026)0
YoY Change-100%
Data: Stats NZ Census 2023 · MBIE · MoE · NZDep2023