Puniu

NZDep 7
Pop 1,587Median age 37Ōtorohanga District

Puniu is a small community in Waikato with a population of 1,587 and a median age of 37. Median personal income is $29K per year. The main ethnic groups are European, Māori, Asian.

Median weekly rent in Puniu is $250 (250 houses, 0 units). This represents approximately 45% of median weekly personal income.

Livability indicators for Puniu: NZDep decile 7 (moderate deprivation); 2 schools with avg EQI 470.

In 2026, Puniu recorded 1 building approval (1 house, 0 units), down 80% year-on-year.

INVESTMENT SIGNALS
Rent Affordability45% Stretched
School QualityEQI 470 Average
DeprivationDecile 7 Moderate
Development-80% Slowing
RENTAL MARKET
Median Rent /wk$250
House Rent /wk$250
Rent-to-Income45.5%
Lodgements12
1/07/2020
DEMOGRAPHICS
Population1,587
Median Age37
Household Size
Personal Income$29K/yr
Household Income
ETHNICITY
European66.1%
Māori25.3%
Asian4.2%
Pacific Peoples3.9%
MELAA0.5%
TOP INDUSTRIES
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing351
Public Administration and Safety81
Construction72
SCHOOLS (2)
Avg EQI470
Total Students162
State2
Korakonui SchoolFull Primary · State · EQI 461 · 142 students
Arohena SchoolFull Primary · State · EQI 479 · 20 students
LIVABILITY (NZDep 2023)
Deprivation Decile7/10
NZDep Score1007
Moderate deprivation — typical of many NZ suburbs.
DEVELOPMENT
Approvals (2026)1
  Houses1
YoY Change-80%
Data: Stats NZ Census 2023 · MBIE · MoE · NZDep2023