the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 15 people (1.4%) since the 2013 census, and a decrease of 153 people (−12.0%) since the 2006 census. There were 456 households, comprising 552 males and 567 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.97 males per female. The median age was 49.0 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 210 people (18.8%) aged under 15 years, 159 (14.2%) aged 15 to 29, 498 (44.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 252 (22.5%) aged 65 or older. Ethnicities were 48.8% European/Pākehā, 64.9% Māori, 1.1% Pacific peoples, 0.8% Asian, and 1.3% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity. The percentage of people born overseas was 4.8, compared with 27.1% nationally. Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 35.4% had no religion, 49.3% were Christian, 8.3% had Māori religious beliefs and 0.8% had other religions. Of those at least 15 years old, 126 (13.9%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 207 (22.8%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $21,400, compared with $31,800 nationally. 78 people (8.6%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 339 (37.3%) people were employed full-time, 150 (16.5%) were part-time, and 72 (7.9%) were unemployed. History and culture Māori history In Maori legend, Whatonga, who came to New Zealand in search of his grandfather Toi, settled at Mahia. The peninsula is the tribal area of the Ngāti Rongomaiwahine iwi. The word māhia means "indistinct sound" or "scrofulous swelling". The name "Te Māhia" comes from "Te Māhia-mai-tawhiti" (the sound heard from a distance). Portland Island, also called Waikawa, is a small island off the southern tip of Mahia Peninsula. It was named Waikawa by Kahungunu when he visited there to look for fresh drinking water and only found salt water – Waikawa means "sour water". Portland Island has an unmanned lighthouse. European history Shore whaling was briefly important on the Mahia Peninsula. Early whalers had a whaling station on the farm "Kini Kini", sheltered by "Long Point" on the west coast of the peninsula. The peninsula community these days is still generally a mix of Maori and European. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was proposed to by her partner, Clarke Gayford, on Mokotahi Hill. Marae There are four marae in the Mahia area affiliated with the hapū of the Ngāti Kahungunu