Bridge Pa

Bridge Pa settlement covers . It is part of the larger Bridge Pa statistical area. Bridge Pa settlement had a population of 729 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 111 people (18.0%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 213 people (41.3%) since the 2013 census. There were 363 males, 360 females, and 3 people of other genders in 180 dwellings. 0.8% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. There were 186 people (25.5%) aged under 15 years, 138 (18.9%) aged 15 to 29, 294 (40.3%) aged 30 to 64, and 108 (14.8%) aged 65 or older. Bridge Pa statistical area Bridge Pa statistical area covers and had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km2. The area includes Hawke's Bay Regional Prison which houses approximately 640 inmates. The statistical area had a population of 1,374 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 234 people (20.5%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 291 people (26.9%) since the 2013 census. There were 888 males, 486 females, and 3 people of other genders in 261 dwellings. 1.5% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 35.9 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 219 people (15.9%) aged under 15 years, 300 (21.8%) aged 15 to 29, 684 (49.8%) aged 30 to 64, and 171 (12.4%) aged 65 or older. ==Bridge Pa Triangle==

Bridge Pa Triangle is a grape growing area roughly delineated by three roads: Ngatarawa Road, State Highway 50 and Maraekakaho Road. It is recognised as a premium wine growing area in the Hawke's Bay wine region. Wines grown include Merlot, Syrah, Chardonnay and Sauvignon blanc. In ancient times the area was blanketed by the pumice tephra of numerous Lake Taupō volcanic events. Much of the Triangle area covers the historical (pre-1860s earthquake) riverbed of the nearby Ngaruroro River. As such soil types include Ngatarawa Gravels, Takapau Silty-loam (free draining red metal of mixed alluvial and volcanic origin) and shallow clay-loam soils with underlying deep free draining pumice. Alwyn Corban and Garry Glazebrook of Ngatarawa Wines pioneered wine production in the area in the 1980s and it is only with the growth of other boutique wineries in the late 1990s the "Bridge Pa Triangle" has been delineated and named. The area is also sometimes described as The Maraekakaho Triangle and The Ngatarawa Triangle. Bordering Ngatarawa Road and to the north of the area along State Highway 50 is the Gimblett Gravels wine growing area. ==Marae==

Bridge Pa has two marae. Korongatā Marae and Nukanoa meeting house is a meeting place of the Ngāti Kahungunu hapū of Ngāti Pōporo and Ngāti Whatuiāpiti. Mangaroa Marae and Hikawera II meeting house is a meeting place of the Ngāti Kahungunu hapū of Ngāti Pōporo and Ngāti Rahunga. In October 2020, the Government committed $6,020,910 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade a group of 18 marae, including both Korongatā and Mangaroa. The funding was expected to create 39 jobs. ==Education==

Bridge Pa School is a co-educational Year 1-8 state primary school, with a roll of as of It opened in 1967. The Māori Agricultural College was a school run by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Bridge Pa from 1913 until the 1931 earthquake. == Notable people ==

• Tori Reid - New Zealand rugby union player • Charlene Otene - Tall Fern, Silver Fern • Kevin Tamati - Kiwi Rugby League • Jack Maere - Tall Black • Caroline Evers-Swindell - Olympic rowing gold medalist • Georgina Evers-Swindell - Olympic rowing gold medalist, indoor rower • Peter Lyons - New Zealand Gliding champion • Taine Randell - All Black ==References==