Pirongia Forest

NZDep 10
Pop 984Median age 53Ōtorohanga District

Pirongia Forest is a small community in Waikato with a population of 984 and a median age of 53. Median personal income is $27K per year. The main ethnic groups are European, Māori, Pacific Peoples.

Livability indicators for Pirongia Forest: NZDep decile 10 (high deprivation); 2 schools with avg EQI 542.

In 2026, Pirongia Forest recorded 1 building approval (1 house, 0 units), down 66.7% year-on-year.

INVESTMENT SIGNALS
School QualityEQI 542 Below Average
DeprivationDecile 10 High
Development-67% Slowing
DEMOGRAPHICS
Population984
Median Age53
Household Size
Personal Income$27K/yr
Household Income
ETHNICITY
European53.4%
Māori41.8%
Pacific Peoples3.4%
Asian1.5%
TOP INDUSTRIES
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing108
Education and Training45
Construction39
SCHOOLS (2)
Avg EQI542
Total Students74
State2
Kawhia SchoolFull Primary · State · EQI 556 · 48 students
Hauturu SchoolFull Primary · State · EQI 529 · 26 students
LIVABILITY (NZDep 2023)
Deprivation Decile10/10
NZDep Score1146
High deprivation — among the most deprived areas in NZ.
DEVELOPMENT
Approvals (2026)1
  Houses1
YoY Change-66.7%
Data: Stats NZ Census 2023 · MBIE · MoE · NZDep2023