Te Kowhai is a small rural town situated 15 km north west of Hamilton City in New Zealand. It consists of mainly dairy and cattle farms and also includes a small dairy/takeaway, fresh vegetable and fruit store, cafe, bakery, a large park with a playground and skate park, and mechanics shop. Te Kowhai Aerodrome is situated near the township. The town is popular for new subdivisions.

The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "the kōwhai tree" for Te Kōwhai.

Statistics New Zealand describes Te Kowhai as a rural settlement, which covers 1.37 km (0.53 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 710 as of June 2024, with a population density of 518 people per km. Te Kowhai settlement is part of the larger Te Kowhai statistical area.

Historical population for Te Kowhai settlement

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
2006	390	—
2013	432	+1.47%
2018	492	+2.64%
Source:

Before the 2023 census, the settlement had a smaller boundary, covering 0.75 km (0.29 sq mi). Using that boundary, Te Kowhai settlement had a population of 492 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 60 people (13.9%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 102 people (26.2%) since the 2006 census. There were 189 households, comprising 222 males and 270 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.82 males per female, with 111 people (22.6%) aged under 15 years, 60 (12.2%) aged 15 to 29, 213 (43.3%) aged 30 to 64, and 114 (23.2%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 90.9% European/Pākehā, 15.2% Māori, 1.2% Pacific peoples, 1.8% Asian, and 3.7% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 50.6% had no religion, 39.6% were Christian and 1.8% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 75 (19.7%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 90 (23.6%) people had no formal qualifications. 87 people (22.8%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 168 (44.1%) people were employed full-time, 63 (16.5%) were part-time, and 6 (1.6%) were unemployed.

Te Kōwhai statistical area covers 43.32 km (16.73 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 2,440 as of June 2024, with a population density of 56 people per km.

Historical population of the statistical area

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
2006	1,509	—
2013	1,746	+2.11%
2018	2,061	+3.37%
Source:

Before the 2023 census, the statistical area had a larger boundary, covering 44.95 km (17.36 sq mi). Using that boundary, Te Kowhai statistical area had a population of 2,061 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 315 people (18.0%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 552 people (36.6%) since the 2006 census. There were 711 households, comprising 1,008 males and 1,053 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.96 males per female. The median age was 41.2 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 489 people (23.7%) aged under 15 years, 300 (14.6%) aged 15 to 29, 957 (46.4%) aged 30 to 64, and 315 (15.3%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 91.3% European/Pākehā, 12.7% Māori, 0.7% Pacific peoples, 2.3% Asian, and 1.9% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 10.8, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 56.5% had no religion, 35.4% were Christian, 0.3% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.1% were Muslim, 0.1% were Buddhist and 1.7% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 303 (19.3%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 309 (19.7%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $39,500, compared with $31,800 nationally. 414 people (26.3%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 867 (55.2%) people were employed full-time, 261 (16.6%) were part-time, and 36 (2.3%) were unemployed.

Te Kōwhai School is a coeducational full primary (years 1-8) school with a roll of 345 students as of August 2024. The school opened in 1890, and moved to its present site in 1900.

• Micro Aviation NZ, manufacturer based in the town

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