(11.5%) aged 65 or older. Ethnicities were 87.6% European/Pākehā, 18.7% Māori, 2.1% Pacific peoples, 2.7% Asian, and 3.2% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity. The percentage of people born overseas was 13.5, compared with 27.1% nationally. Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 53.0% had no religion, 35.4% were Christian, 0.6% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.4% were Hindu, 0.3% were Buddhist and 1.3% had other religions. Of those at least 15 years old, 243 (13.3%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 378 (20.8%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $38,300, compared with $31,800 nationally. 312 people (17.1%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 984 (54.0%) people were employed full-time, 333 (18.3%) were part-time, and 45 (2.5%) were unemployed. Economy Putāruru's economy is based on farming, forestry and timber production. The nearby Blue Spring is the current source of about 70% of New Zealand's bottled water. Much of the town's water comes from the spring, which is on the Waihou River to the north east. Education Putāruru Primary School is a state primary school on the main street, established in 1901, with a roll of . Putāruru College is a state secondary school at the northern entrance of the town, by the Oraka River, with a roll of . Te Wharekura o Te Kaokaoroa o Pātetere is a state primary school, with a roll of . St Mary's Catholic School is a state-integrated primary school, with a roll of . All these schools are co-educational. Rolls are as of Notable people Grant Fox (born 1962), former All Black Honey Hireme (born 1981), former New Zealand rugby player Glen Mitchell (born 1972), Olympic cyclist Lorraine Moller (born 1955), Olympic athlete Gareth Morgan (born 1953), economist, philanthropist Jennifer Robyn (Jenny) Shattock, former South Waikato mayor Wayne Smith (born 1957), former All Black and former All Black coach References External links 1914 and 2011 photos of railway station 1932 photo of brick water tank at the railway station New Zealand Timber Museum Populated places in Waikato South Waikato District