Ngamahanga

Ngamahanga corresponds with the Statistics New Zealand statistical area of Ngamatea, which covers an area of 611.55 km², 13.64% of the total area of Rangitikei. At the 2018 census, only 24 people or 0.2% of the district's population lived in the area. The Ngamatea statistical area is bordered by Taharua (Taupō District, Hawke's Bay) to the north, Puketitiri-Tutira (Hastings District, Hawke's Bay) to the northeast and east, Sherenden-Crownthorpe (Hastings) to the southeast and Mokai Patea to the west. Climate ==History==

19th century Māori had some farming in the area before the arrival of Europeans. Europeans began farming sheep farming in the area in the 1870s. 20th century The Fernie family began farming the Ngamatea Station for wool in 1932, after previous farmers had been driven away by rabbits, low prices, and the hard work involved in farming the area. In the 1970s and 1980s, Government subsidies were provided to permanently clear tussock and scrub. In July 2020, a 26-year-old Ngamahanga man died in a single-car crash on the road between Ngamahanga and Taihape. ==Government and politics==

Local government As part of the Rangitikei District, the current Mayor of Rangitikei since 2013 is Andy Watson. The area forms part of the Northern ward of the Rangitikei District Council, which elects two of the eleven district councillors. Central government The area is part of the general electorate of Rangitīkei and in the Māori electorate of Te Tai Hauāuru. Rangitīkei is a safe National Party seat since the 1938 election with the exception of 1978–1984 when it was held by Bruce Beetham of the Social Credit Party. Since 2011 it is held by Ian McKelvie. Te Tai Hauāuru is a more unstable seat, having been held by three different parties since 1996, i.e. New Zealand First, the Māori Party and the Labour Party. Since 2014 it is held by Adrian Rurawhe of the Labour Party. ==Demographics==

The Ngamatea statistical area covers and had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km2. Ngamatea had a population of 24 in the 2023 New Zealand census, unchanged since the 2018 census, and a decrease of 3 people (−11.1%) since the 2013 census. There were 12 males and 12 females in 9 dwellings. The median age was 34.7 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 6 people (25.0%) aged under 15 years, 3 (12.5%) aged 15 to 29, 15 (62.5%) aged 30 to 64, and none aged 65 or older. ==Transport==

Roads There are no state highways in the area. The main road through the area is Taihape-Napier Road, also known as the Gentle Annie. Springvale Suspension Bridge The historic Springvale Suspension Bridge, in use from 1925 to 1970, crosses the Rangitīkei River at Ngamahanga. It is a designated Category II historic site by Heritage New Zealand. ==References==