Tikokino is a town in the Central Hawke's Bay District on the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand. It is located northwest of Waipawa and southwest of Hastings. The township is located on State Highway 50.
The township was founded by the Government in 1860. Hampden, as it was originally called, began as sawmilling centre for local forests, becoming a service town for the farms which took their place. By the early 2000s, most residents were working at a nearby meat processing plant, dairy farming, or for local growers.
Demographics
Statistics New Zealand describes Tikokino as a rural settlement, which covers . It had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km<sup>2</sup>. It is part of the larger Mangaonuku statistical area.
Tikokino had a population of 234 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 42 people (21.9%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 69 people (41.8%) since the 2013 census. There were 114 males, 117 females, and 3 people of other genders in 93 dwellings. 3.8% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 47.2 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 39 people (16.7%) aged under 15 years, 36 (15.4%) aged 15 to 29, 123 (52.6%) aged 30 to 64, and 36 (15.4%) aged 65 or older.
Mangaonuku statistical area
Mangaonuku statistical area covers and had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km<sup>2</sup>.
Mangaonuku had a population of 936 in the 2023 New Zealand census, a decrease of 12 people (−1.3%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 102 people (12.2%) since the 2013 census. There were 498 males, 435 females, and 3 people of other genders in 375 dwellings. 1.9% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 41.7 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 198 people (21.2%) aged under 15 years, 153 (16.3%) aged 15 to 29, 435 (46.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 150 (16.0%) aged 65 or older.
Marae
The local Rakautātahi Marae is a tribal meeting ground for local Māori, with a meeting house called Te Poho o Te Whatuiapiti. The marae is affiliated with the Ngāti Kahungunu hapū of Ngāi Toroiwaho, Ngāi Te Kikiri o Te Rangi, Ngāi Toroiwaho, Rangi Te Kahutia and Rangitotohu, and with the Rangitāne hapū of Ngāi Tahu and Ngāti Rangitotohu.
In October 2020, the Government committed $887,291 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade the marae and 4 others, creating 12 jobs.
Education
Tikokino School is a Year 1–8 co-educational state primary school. It is a decile 7 school with a roll of as of The school opened in 1866.
Notable people
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- Bill Collins (1911-93), Poverty Bay and Hawkes Bay rugby union representative and All Black (1935-36)
- Alice May Parkinson (1889–1949), New Zealand murderer