The township was founded by the Government in 1860. Hampden, as it was originally called, began as sawmilling centre for local forests, becoming a service town for the farms which took their place. By the early 2000s, most residents were working at a nearby meat processing plant, dairy farming, or for local growers.[7]
Tikokino has eight buildings registered by Heritage New Zealand, including the Gwavas Station Homestead and Garden as Category I.[8]
Demographics
Statistics New Zealand describes Tikokino as a rural settlement, which covers 0.78km2 (0.30sqmi).[4] It had an estimated population of 240 as of June 2025,[5] with a population density of 308 people per km2. It is part of the larger Mangaonuku statistical area.
Tikokino had a population of 234 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 42 people (21.9%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 69 people (41.8%) since the 2013 census. There were 114 males, 117 females, and 3 people of other genders in 93 dwellings.[11] 3.8% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 47.2 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 39 people (16.7%) aged under 15 years, 36 (15.4%) aged 15 to 29, 123 (52.6%) aged 30 to 64, and 36 (15.4%) aged 65 or older.[9]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 93.6% European (Pākehā); 12.8% Māori; 1.3% Pasifika; 1.3% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 5.1% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 96.2%, Māori by 2.6%, Samoan by 1.3%, and other languages by 1.3%. No language could be spoken by 2.6% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 1.3%. The percentage of people born overseas was 19.2, compared with 28.8% nationally.[9]
Religious affiliations were 25.6% Christian, 1.3% New Age, and 1.3% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 62.8%, and 6.4% of people did not answer the census question.[9]
Of those at least 15 years old, 36 (18.5%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 99 (50.8%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 54 (27.7%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $37,100, compared with $41,500 nationally. 9 people (4.6%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 102 (52.3%) full-time, 30 (15.4%) part-time, and 3 (1.5%) unemployed.[9]
Mangaonuku statistical area
Mangaonuku statistical area covers 536.56km2 (207.17sqmi)[12] and had an estimated population of 980 as of June 2025,[13] with a population density of 1.8 people per km2.
Mangaonuku had a population of 936 in the 2023 New Zealand census, a decrease of 12 people (−1.3%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 102 people (12.2%) since the 2013 census. There were 498 males, 435 females, and 3 people of other genders in 375 dwellings.[16] 1.9% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 41.7 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 198 people (21.2%) aged under 15 years, 153 (16.3%) aged 15 to 29, 435 (46.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 150 (16.0%) aged 65 or older.[14]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 90.4% European (Pākehā); 19.6% Māori; 2.2% Pasifika; 0.6% Asian; 0.3% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 1.9% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 96.8%, Māori by 5.8%, Samoan by 0.3%, and other languages by 2.9%. No language could be spoken by 3.2% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.6%. The percentage of people born overseas was 13.1, compared with 28.8% nationally.[14]
Religious affiliations were 30.8% Christian, 1.3% Māori religious beliefs, 0.3% New Age, and 1.0% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 60.6%, and 6.4% of people did not answer the census question.[14]
Of those at least 15 years old, 141 (19.1%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 438 (59.3%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 159 (21.5%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $41,000, compared with $41,500 nationally. 57 people (7.7%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 402 (54.5%) full-time, 123 (16.7%) part-time, and 9 (1.2%) unemployed.[14]
In October 2020, the Government committed $887,291 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade the marae and 4 others, creating 12 jobs.[19]
Education
Tikokino School is a Year 1–8 co-educational state primary school.[20][21] It is a decile 7 school with a roll of 78 as of July 2025.[22][23] The school opened in 1866.[24]
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