Ruapehu District

The district is landlocked, and contains the western half of the Tongariro National Park, including Mount Ruapehu and the western sides of Mount Ngauruhoe and Mount Tongariro, as well as part of the Whanganui National Park. The district is also home to the world-famous Raurimu Spiral on the North Island Main Trunk railway line. The tourist towns of Raetihi, Whakapapa Village, National Park, and Ohakune are located near Mount Ruapehu in the south-east of the district. Waiouru, with an elevation of 815 metres, is in the extreme south-east of the district and houses the large Waiouru Army Camp. The southern section of the infamous Desert Road section of State Highway 1 runs through the east of the district, from Waiouru to Rangipo. ==Demographics==

Ruapehu District covers and had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km2. Ruapehu District had a population of 13,095 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 786 people (6.4%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 1,251 people (10.6%) since the 2013 census. There were 6,720 males, 6,333 females and 42 people of other genders in 5,412 dwellings. 2.3% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 39.0 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 2,799 people (21.4%) aged under 15 years, 2,217 (16.9%) aged 15 to 29, 5,688 (43.4%) aged 30 to 64, and 2,391 (18.3%) aged 65 or older. == Governmental ==

Ruapehu District Council The Ruapehu District Council was established by the 1989 local government reforms. It was formed from the Taumarunui Borough Council, Taumarunui County Council, Waimarino District Council and parts of the Rangitikei County, Taupo District, Waitomo District and Stratford District councils. The council is made up of 12 elected councillors, including a mayor and deputy mayor. The district is also served by 2 Community Boards and a Ward Committee, with the same functions and powers as the Community Boards. In the 2022 local body elections, there were two wards, a general ward and a Māori ward. Mayor The current mayor of the Ruapehu District is Weston Kirton, the deputy mayor is Vivienne Hoeta. Council • Taumarunui-Ohura♮ Community Board; 5 elected community representatives and 1 appointed Councillor. • Waimarino-Waiouru Community Board; 5 elected community representatives and 1 appointed Councillor. • Owhango-National Park Community Board; 5 elected community representatives and 1 appointed Councilor. ==References==