Ngakuru is a rural community in Rotorua Lakes District within the Waikato region of New Zealand's North Island.

Ngakuru is in three SA1 statistical areas which cover 42.25 km (16.31 sq mi). The SA1 areas are part of the Ngakuru statistical area.

Historical population for Ngakuru and surrounds

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
2006	342	—
2013	336	−0.25%
2018	303	−2.05%
Source:

The SA1 areas had a population of 303 at the 2018 New Zealand census, a decrease of 33 people (−9.8%) since the 2013 census, and a decrease of 39 people (−11.4%) since the 2006 census. There were 114 households, comprising 150 males and 156 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.96 males per female, with 66 people (21.8%) aged under 15 years, 66 (21.8%) aged 15 to 29, 147 (48.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 30 (9.9%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 91.1% European/Pākehā, 16.8% Māori, 2.0% Pacific peoples, and 3.0% Asian. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 66.3% had no religion, 24.8% were Christian and 2.0% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 42 (17.7%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 30 (12.7%) people had no formal qualifications. 45 people (19.0%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 135 (57.0%) people were employed full-time, 42 (17.7%) were part-time, and 9 (3.8%) were unemployed.

Ngakuru statistical area covers 446.44 km (172.37 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 1,950 as of June 2024, with a population density of 4.4 people per km.

Historical population for the Ngakuru statistical area

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
2006	1,701	—
2013	1,695	−0.05%
2018	1,770	+0.87%
Source:

Ngakuru had a population of 1,770 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 75 people (4.4%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 69 people (4.1%) since the 2006 census. There were 639 households, comprising 903 males and 867 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.04 males per female. The median age was 36.6 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 393 people (22.2%) aged under 15 years, 366 (20.7%) aged 15 to 29, 837 (47.3%) aged 30 to 64, and 174 (9.8%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 87.8% European/Pākehā, 20.5% Māori, 1.7% Pacific peoples, 2.4% Asian, and 2.7% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 13.9, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 57.3% had no religion, 31.9% were Christian, 1.9% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.2% were Hindu, 0.2% were Buddhist and 1.0% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 207 (15.0%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 228 (16.6%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $40,700, compared with $31,800 nationally. 300 people (21.8%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 822 (59.7%) people were employed full-time, 249 (18.1%) were part-time, and 30 (2.2%) were unemployed.

Ngakuru School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students, with a roll of 62 as of November 2024. The school was established in 1933.