years old, 87 (10.4%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 234 (28.0%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $26,100, compared with $31,800 nationally. 84 people (10.0%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 405 (48.4%) people were employed full-time, 105 (12.5%) were part-time, and 42 (5.0%) were unemployed. Governance Helensville is part of the Local Government Rodney Ward of Auckland Council and is part of the Kumeu Subdivision of the Rodney Local Board. Helensville is in the Helensville Electorate however proposed Boundary changes in late 2019 could change this. The original local government was called Helensville Borough Council, which started in 1947 and merged into Rodney District Council in 1989, eventually being amalgamated into Auckland Council in November 2010. Mayors during Helensville Borough Council During the 42-year existence of Helensville Borough Council, it had eight mayors: Economy Although it is no longer a forestry or dairy centre, the town is still a tourist attraction, largely because of its many historic buildings, the hot springs at Parakai and the Parakai Aerodrome, and its proximity to Auckland. It has also seen positive effects from the nearby wine producing region around Kumeu, 20 km to the south. There are also an increasing number of lifestyle blocks in the area. Helensville has its own locally produced monthly newspaper called the Helensville News. The township is in the North West Country Inc business improvement district zone. The business association which represents businesses from Kaukapakapa to Riverhead. Education Parakai School is a co-educational full primary school catering for years 1–8, with a roll of students as of The Parakai School community catchment area reaches from the immediate flats surrounding the Kaipara River and up the South Kaipara Heads Peninsula. Geothermal mineral pools Parakai is noted for its hot springs with geothermal mineral water occurring naturally. There is a complex of mineral pools and recreational activities, such as Parakai Springs. These pools are fed from bores which draw from a geothermal aquifer which lies in the fractured Waitemata sandstone and compacted alluvial sediments. There is little recorded history of Māori using these springs, though it is to be assumed that they were known as the local iwi Ngāti Whatua had made use of the springs in the neighboring Helensville. In 1864 Robert Mair "discovered" the hot springs, which at the time consisted