The name is a Māori word for Hierochloe redolens, a sweet-scented grass used in sachets and to make girdles.[3]
Kāretu Marae and Ngāti Manu meeting house are affiliated with the NgāpuhihapūofNgāti Manu and Te Uri Karaka. The local Pākaru-ki te Rangi site is also a traditional meeting ground of Ngāti Manu.[4][5]
The SA1 statistical area had a population of 144 at the 2018 New Zealand census, unchanged since the 2013 census, and a decrease of 12 people (−7.7%) since the 2006 census. There were 54 households, comprising 66 males and 78 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.85 males per female. The median age was 52.4 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 21 people (14.6%) aged under 15 years, 24 (16.7%) aged 15 to 29, 63 (43.8%) aged 30 to 64, and 39 (27.1%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 64.6% European/Pākehā, 43.8% Māori, 4.2% Pacific peoples, 2.1% Asian, and 2.1% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 39.6% had no religion, 35.4% were Christian, 6.2% had Māori religious beliefs and 2.1% were Buddhist.
Of those at least 15 years old, 12 (9.8%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 27 (22.0%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $21,900, compared with $31,800 nationally. 12 people (9.8%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 51 (41.5%) people were employed full-time, 24 (19.5%) were part-time, and 0 (0.0%) were unemployed.[8]
Karetu School is a decile 3 coeducational primary school serving years 1–8.[9] It has a roll of 76 students as of February 2024.[10]. The school was established in 1886.[11]
New Zealand
