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Whakarongo
Suburb of Palmerston North
Stony Creek
Coordinates: 40°20′S 175°40′E / 40.333°S 175.667°E / -40.333; 175.667
Country	New Zealand
Region	Manawatū-Whanganui region
Territorial authorities	Palmerston North
Electorates	Rangitīkei Te Tai Hauāuru (Māori)
Government
• Regional council	Horizons Regional Council
• Local Authority	Palmerston North City Council
Area
• Total	51.23 km (19.78 sq mi)
Population
• Total	1,870
• Density	37/km (95/sq mi)
Postcode	4470
Telephone	06

Whakarongo is a suburb of Palmerston North, New Zealand, between the city and Ashhurst. It is mainly rural, and features many vegetable gardens.

Whakarongo was originally named Stoney Creek and along with neighbouring Kelvin Grove was part of the Stoney Creek Scandinavian and Roadmen's Block. The area was one of the first Special Settlements established by the Government (along with Karere Scandinavian Block, between Awapuni and Longburn).

The original Scandinavian settlers were the first to arrive under Vogel's Immigration and Public Works Scheme. The majority arrived on the second ship (England) which arrived in April 1871, with a handful from the first ship (Celaeno) which arrived in February 1871. The Roadmen were mainly the British 'workmates' of the Scandinavian settlers.

Kelvin Grove Cemetery was established in Whakarongo in 1927.

There are no parks in the area.

State Highway 3 passes through Whakarongo on Napier Road. Stoney Creek Road, named after the original settlement, connects the area with Bunnythorpe.

Demographics

Whakarongo covers 51.23 km (19.78 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 1,870 as of June 2024, with a population density of 37 people per km.

Whakarongo had a population of 1,644 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 237 people (16.8%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 474 people (40.5%) since the 2006 census. There were 570 households, comprising 834 males and 813 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.03 males per female. The median age was 43.5 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 318 people (19.3%) aged under 15 years, 285 (17.3%) aged 15 to 29, 795 (48.4%) aged 30 to 64, and 246 (15.0%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 90.5% European/Pākehā, 9.3% Māori, 0.9% Pacific peoples, 4.2% Asian, and 2.0% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 11.3, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 51.3% had no religion, 41.2% were Christian, 0.4% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.2% were Muslim, 0.4% were Buddhist and 1.1% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 285 (21.5%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 237 (17.9%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $39,900, compared with $31,800 nationally. 348 people (26.2%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 723 (54.5%) people were employed full-time, 234 (17.6%) were part-time, and 24 (1.8%) were unemployed.

Education

Whakarongo School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students, with a roll of 467 as of August 2024.

References

1. ^ "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
2. ^ "Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
3. ^ McLennan-Boman, Vera-Lydia (1978). From Stoney Creek to Whakarongo : a district history to 1977. Palmerston North: Offset Publications / Whakarongo Centennial Committee.
4. "Kelvin Grove Cemetery". pncc.govt.nz. Palmerston North City Council.
5. "Whakarongo parks and reserves". pncc.govt.nz. Palmerston North City Council.
6. ^ "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Whakarongo (229400). 2018 Census place summary: Whakarongo
7. "Whakarongo School Official School Website". whakarongo.school.nz.
8. "Whakarongo School Ministry of Education School Profile". educationcounts.govt.nz. Ministry of Education.
9. "Whakarongo School Education Review Office Report". ero.govt.nz. Education Review Office.

• Suburbs of Palmerston North
• Populated places in Manawatū-Whanganui
• Populated places on the Manawatū River