valuations that had been exceedingly low for decades, then skyrocketed. Some locals chose to freehold their homes immediately, empty sections without current leases were sold on the open market. Many residents continue to remain perpetual leaseholders. Marae Pouākani Marae and its meeting house, Tamatea Pokai Whenua, is a meeting place for Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa. The marae was first built in 1972 on land exchanged for Lake Wairarapa for Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa members and other Māori who were working on the dam. The marae was destroyed by arson in 2007 but reopened in 2012 after five years of reconstruction. In October 2020, the Government committed $4,525,105 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade Pouākani Marae and 9 other marae, creating 35 jobs. Miringa te Kakara Marae and Te Whetū Marama o Ngā Tau o Hinawa meeting house are a meeting place of Ngāti Maniapoto and Rereahu. Demographics Statistics New Zealand describes Mangakino as a rural settlement, which covers . The settlement is part of the larger Marotiri statistical area. Mangakino had a population of 828 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 84 people (11.3%) since the 2013 census, and a decrease of 192 people (−18.8%) since the 2006 census. There were 321 households, comprising 414 males and 423 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.98 males per female, with 162 people (19.6%) aged under 15 years, 126 (15.2%) aged 15 to 29, 372 (44.9%) aged 30 to 64, and 174 (21.0%) aged 65 or older. Ethnicities were 55.8% European/Pākehā, 58.3% Māori, 2.9% Pacific peoples, 4.0% Asian, and 1.8% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity. Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 54.7% had no religion, 26.8% were Christian, 12.3% had Māori religious beliefs, 1.1% were Hindu,and 0.4% were Muslim. Of those at least 15 years old, 54 (8.1%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 222 (33.3%) people had no formal qualifications. 33 people (5.0%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 204 (30.6%) people were employed full-time, 114 (17.1%) were part-time, and 57 (8.6%) were unemployed. Education Mangakino Area School is a co-educational Year 1–13 state area school, with a roll of as of Notable residents Prominent former citizens of Mangakino include: Willie Apiata VC, who was born there in 1972 Mike Rann, Australian