In October 2020, the Government committed $65,643 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade Kaimaumau Marae, creating 23 jobs.[4]
A scrub fire in the Kaimaumau wetland north of the town began on 18 December 2021 and continued to burn over a 2,800 hectare area until early February,[5] forcing the evacuation of Kaimaumau twice.[6][7] Firefighting cost over $7 million.[8] The fire was accidental, and may have continued to burn underground in peat after being extinguished above ground.[5] The fire caused over 600,000 tonnes of carbon to be released into the atmosphere.[9] A large fire also affected the peat land in 1988.[10]
History
Kaimaumau was an important location for the late 19th/early 20th century kauri gum digging trade. In the 1910s, the lower quality chip gum found at the southern half of the Aupouri Peninsula greatly increased in value.[11]
Demographics
Statistics New Zealand describes Kaimaumau as a rural settlement. It covers 37.09 km2 (14.32 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 160 as of June 2024,[2] with a population density of 4.3 people per km2. Kaimaumau is part of the larger Rangaunu Harbour statistical area.[12]
Kaimaumau had a population of 204 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 51 people (33.3%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 69 people (51.1%) since the 2013 census. There were 105 males, and 96 females in 81 dwellings.[15] 2.9% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 49.2 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 36 people (17.6%) aged under 15 years, 30 (14.7%) aged 15 to 29, 90 (44.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 45 (22.1%) aged 65 or older.[14]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 64.7% European (Pākehā), 52.9% Māori, 1.5% Pasifika, 1.5% Asian, and 2.9% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 97.1%, Māori language by 8.8%, and other languages by 2.9%. No language could be spoken by 1.5% (e.g. too young to talk). The percentage of people born overseas was 4.4, compared with 28.8% nationally.
Religious affiliations were 27.9% Christian, 16.2% Māori religious beliefs, and 1.5% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 44.1%, and 7.4% of people did not answer the census question.
Of those at least 15 years old, 6 (3.6%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 111 (66.1%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 42 (25.0%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $26,200, compared with $41,500 nationally. 6 people (3.6%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 63 (37.5%) people were employed full-time, 24 (14.3%) were part-time, and 9 (5.4%) were unemployed.[14]
