A European sheep farming station, Te Putere Grazing Run, was established in the area in 1875 or 1876.[7] The area was also farmed by the families of World War I soldiers, but conditions were severe and many families had abandoned their farms by the Great Depression.[8]
Putere had a population of 126 in the 2023 New Zealand census, a decrease of 33 people (−20.8%) since the 2018 census, and a decrease of 48 people (−27.6%) since the 2013 census. There were 75 males and 48 females in 63 dwellings.[11] The median age was 38.5 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 24 people (19.0%) aged under 15 years, 27 (21.4%) aged 15 to 29, 57 (45.2%) aged 30 to 64, and 18 (14.3%) aged 65 or older.[5]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 81.0% European (Pākehā), 38.1% Māori, and 4.8% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 97.6%, Māori by 9.5%, and other languages by 2.4%. No language could be spoken by 2.4% (e.g. too young to talk). The percentage of people born overseas was 4.8, compared with 28.8% nationally.[5]
Religious affiliations were 33.3% Christian, and 7.1% Māori religious beliefs. People who answered that they had no religion were 50.0%, and 7.1% of people did not answer the census question.[5]
Of those at least 15 years old, 12 (11.8%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 66 (64.7%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 30 (29.4%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $29,000, compared with $41,500 nationally. 6 people (5.9%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 48 (47.1%) full-time, 15 (14.7%) part-time, and 6 (5.9%) unemployed.[5]
In October 2020, the Government committed $1,949,075 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade Putere and 23 other Ngāti Kahungunu marae, creating 164 jobs. It also committed to $1,646,820 towards improvements of Putere and five other marae, creating 10 jobs.[14]
Education
Putere School is a Year 1–8 co-educational state primary school established in 1925.[15][7] It is a decile 2 school with a roll of 9 as of July 2025.[16][17] New school buildings were built remotely in 2010.[18]
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