Ratapiko had a population of 390 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 36 people (10.2%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 51 people (15.0%) since the 2013 census. There were 207 males and 183 females in 138 dwellings.[10] 2.3% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. There were 90 people (23.1%) aged under 15 years, 51 (13.1%) aged 15 to 29, 198 (50.8%) aged 30 to 64, and 51 (13.1%) aged 65 or older.[5]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 96.2% European (Pākehā); 12.3% Māori; 2.3% Pasifika; 2.3% Asian; 1.5% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 3.1% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 96.2%, Samoan by 0.8%, and other languages by 3.8%. No language could be spoken by 3.1% (e.g. too young to talk). The percentage of people born overseas was 9.2, compared with 28.8% nationally.[5]
Religious affiliations were 28.5% Christian, 1.5% Hindu, and 0.8% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 60.0%, and 8.5% of people did not answer the census question.[5]
Of those at least 15 years old, 48 (16.0%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 171 (57.0%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 87 (29.0%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. 33 people (11.0%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 183 (61.0%) full-time, 48 (16.0%) part-time, and 12 (4.0%) unemployed.[5]
Tarata statistical area
Tarata statistical area, which also includes Purangi, covers 258.96km2 (99.99sqmi)[11] and had an estimated population of 640 as of June 2025,[12] with a population density of 2.5 people per km2.
Tarata had a population of 600 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 30 people (5.3%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 18 people (3.1%) since the 2013 census. There were 318 males and 282 females in 222 dwellings.[15] 1.5% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 40.3 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 138 people (23.0%) aged under 15 years, 78 (13.0%) aged 15 to 29, 309 (51.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 75 (12.5%) aged 65 or older.[13]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 95.5% European (Pākehā); 13.5% Māori; 1.5% Pasifika; 1.0% Asian; 1.0% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 3.0% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 98.0%, Māori by 1.0%, Samoan by 0.5%, and other languages by 3.0%. No language could be spoken by 2.0% (e.g. too young to talk). The percentage of people born overseas was 10.0, compared with 28.8% nationally.[13]
Religious affiliations were 29.5% Christian, 1.0% Hindu, and 1.0% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 59.0%, and 10.0% of people did not answer the census question.[13]
Of those at least 15 years old, 60 (13.0%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 288 (62.3%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 108 (23.4%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $43,600, compared with $41,500 nationally. 54 people (11.7%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 279 (60.4%) full-time, 75 (16.2%) part-time, and 18 (3.9%) unemployed.[13]
Marae
Te Upoko o te Whenua Marae and Ngārongo meeting house are a meeting place for Ngāti Maru.[16][17]
In October 2020, the Government committed $500,000 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade the marae, creating 15 jobs.[18]
Education
Ratapiko School is a coeducational full primary (years 1–8) school with a roll of 26 students as of July 2025.[19][20] It opened in 1888.[21] The school was accepted as an Enviroschool in 2017.[22]
Beeche, Henry John (1950), Electrical development in New Zealand the story of the generation and distribution, use of, and dependence on, electrical energy in New Zealand, Wellington, [N.Z.]: Neville Graham Dunning for The Electric-Power Boards and Supply Authorities' Association of New Zealand
Plant, Elizabeth; Taylor, Lois (1988), Ratapiko School and District centennial, 1888-1988, Inglewood, [N.Z.]: Ratapiko Centennial Jubilee Committee
Troon, Dawn (2007), The former Brixton Memorial Hall, 1953-2006, Waitara, [N.Z.]: Dawn Troon
School
Plant, Elizabeth; Taylor, Lois (1988), Ratapiko School and District centennial, 1888-1988, Inglewood, [N.Z.]: Ratapiko Centennial Jubilee Committee
SW – locality that was formerly part of the defunct South-West Ward until 2022; NPC – locality that was formerly part of the defunct New Plymouth City Ward until 2022; nonCB – area not within a community board
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