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Lepperton is a small village in North Taranaki, New Zealand. It is approximately 6 km (3.7 mi) inland from Waitara township, 5 km (3.1 mi) west of the Waitara River, and 1 km (0.62 mi) east of State Highway 3A, which connects Inglewood to Waitara.

Demographics

Lepperton is defined by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement and covers 1.26 km (0.49 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 410 as of June 2024, with a population density of 325 people per km. Lepperton is part of the larger Lepperton-Brixton statistical area.

Before the 2023 census, the settlement had a larger boundary, covering 7.63 km (2.95 sq mi). Using that boundary, Lepperton had a population of 405 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 81 people (25.0%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 105 people (35.0%) since the 2006 census. There were 135 households, comprising 201 males and 201 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.0 males per female, with 114 people (28.1%) aged under 15 years, 51 (12.6%) aged 15 to 29, 195 (48.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 45 (11.1%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 91.1% European/Pākehā, 15.6% Māori, 2.2% Pacific peoples, 3.7% Asian, and 1.5% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 58.5% had no religion, 29.6% were Christian, 0.7% were Buddhist and 0.7% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 42 (14.4%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 54 (18.6%) people had no formal qualifications. 60 people (20.6%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 177 (60.8%) people were employed full-time, 54 (18.6%) were part-time, and 0 (0.0%) were unemployed.

Lepperton-Brixton

Lepperton-Brixton statistical area covers 46.52 km (17.96 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 1,990 as of June 2024, with a population density of 43 people per km.

Lepperton-Brixton had a population of 1,725 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 201 people (13.2%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 429 people (33.1%) since the 2006 census. There were 615 households, comprising 879 males and 846 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.04 males per female. The median age was 40.8 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 402 people (23.3%) aged under 15 years, 216 (12.5%) aged 15 to 29, 870 (50.4%) aged 30 to 64, and 237 (13.7%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 89.6% European/Pākehā, 17.9% Māori, 1.6% Pacific peoples, 2.8% Asian, and 2.6% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 9.9, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 53.6% had no religion, 35.7% were Christian, 0.2% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.7% were Muslim, 0.3% were Buddhist and 0.9% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 165 (12.5%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 303 (22.9%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $35,600, compared with $31,800 nationally. 261 people (19.7%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 729 (55.1%) people were employed full-time, 243 (18.4%) were part-time, and 42 (3.2%) were unemployed.

Kairoa Pa

Near Lepperton is Kairoa Pa, an historic centre for local Maori settlement. It is also an entry point for the Whakaahurangi track to Ketemarae Pa near Normanby. This track linked northern and southern Taranaki before British settlement.

Climate

Education

Lepperton School is a coeducational contributing primary (years 1-6) school with a roll of 130 students as of August 2024. The school was founded in 1870.

References

1. ^ "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
2. ^ "Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
3. Peter Dowling, ed. (2004), Reed New Zealand Atlas, Reed Books, pp. map 34, ISBN 0-7900-0952-8
4. Roger Smith, GeographX (2005), The Geographic Atlas of New Zealand, Robbie Burton, pp. map 85, ISBN 1-877333-20-4
5. ^ "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. 7017111, 7017112 and 7017138.
6. "Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
7. ^ "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Lepperton-Brixton (219000). 2018 Census place summary: Lepperton-Brixton
8. New Plymouth District Council: Waahi Tapu Sites
9. Te Ao Hou: Recent Books on the Maori, June 1959
10. "Climate Statistics for Lepperton, New Zealand". Retrieved 25 December 2011.
11. "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
12. Education Counts: Lepperton School
13. "Lepperton School - 09/02/2018". Ministry of Education.
14. Lepperton School and community reunion magazine : celebrating 125 years of education and community life, 1870-1995, Lepperton School, 1995

Further reading

General historical works

Even the Dogs Have Forgotten to Bark A 284 A4 page fully indexed comprehensive history of Lepperton, Sentry Hill and Waiongana. Author PT Wilson published 2012 ISBN 978-0-473-21026-7 Available in most Taranaki libraries.

• Lepperton School and community reunion magazine: celebrating 125 years of education and community life, 1870-1995, Lepperton, : The School, 1995

A second edition of "Even the Dogs Have Forgotten to Bark" was published in 2020. Largely a reprint but some important updates have been made. (ISBN 978-0-473-50951-4) A few copies of the book are still available. This edition is also available in most Taranaki libraries. Authors website is https://wisdomisashelter.co.nz

Business history

• Quickfall, W.H. (1967), The Lepperton Co-operative Dairy Factory Company Limited: diamond jubilee, 1892-1967, New Plymouth, : Masterprint

• A substantial deposit of records pertaining to the Lepperton Co-operative Dairy Company (from 1930–1966) is held at "Puke Ariki". Archived from the original on 20 June 2008. in New Plymouth. See "Lepperton Co-operative Dairy Company Ltd. (B193)". Retrieved 10 January 2008.

Churches

Anglican

• The village church: St. Marks Church, Lepperton, 1900-2000, Lepperton, : The Church, 2000
• Alexander, Ada C. (1976), St John the Baptist, Waitara: centenary, 1876-1976., New Plymouth, : Taranaki Newspapers

Maps

• New Zealand Department of Lands & Survey (1906), Township of Lepperton, Paritutu Survey District, Wellington, : New Zealand Department of Lands & Survey Scale: 1: 4 752 (i.e. 1/13.3 in. to the mile)
• New Zealand Department of Lands & Survey (1930), Lepperton, Wellington, : New Zealand Department of Lands & Survey Scale: 1: 20 000 (i.e. 1/3.17 in. to the mile) NZMS 43
• New Zealand Department of Lands & Survey (1962), Lepperton, Wellington, : New Zealand Department of Lands & Survey Scale: 1: 25 000 (i.e. 1/2.53 in. to the mile) NZMS 2 ; N109/1 & N99/7
• Palmer, Robin W.P. (1989), Lepperton District soil map, n.p.: n.p. Scale: 1: 20 000 (i.e. 1/3.17 in. to the mile)

Railways

• Julian, C.E. (1970), The Waitara branch line, New Plymouth, : C.E. Julian for the Taranaki Locomotive Society

Schools

• 1870-1970, Lepperton School centennial jubilee, Lepperton, : Centenary Committee, 1970
• Lepperton School and community reunion magazine: celebrating 125 years of education and community life, 1870-1995, Lepperton, : The School, 1995

External links

• Statistics NZ: Lepperton Community Profile
• Map of Lepperton census ward
• Lepperton School website
• Radio New Zealand National programme, Afternoons with Jim Mora, Thursday 20 September 2012 Your Place- Lepperton Play or download options

• Populated places in Taranaki
• New Plymouth District