time). In 1973, Pukerua Bay joined Porirua City Council to get the issues of water and sewerage connection addressed. Growth continued in the 1970s with the Sea Vista Drive subdivision and soon the fact that the SH 1 route, with increasing traffic, was going through the middle of Pukerua Bay became an issue. In 1989, an over-bridge over the SH 1 route was opened, after continued lobbying by local residents, which included continually walking across the pedestrian crossing to hold up traffic. The SH 1 route through Pukerua Bay was renumbered on 7 December 2021, due to SH 1 being shifted to the Transmission Gully Motorway. Demographics Pukerua Bay statistical area covers . It had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km2. Pukerua Bay had a population of 1,962 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 66 people (3.5%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 237 people (13.7%) since the 2006 census. There were 705 households. There were 963 males and 999 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.96 males per female. The median age was 40.6 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 426 people (21.7%) aged under 15 years, 303 (15.4%) aged 15 to 29, 996 (50.8%) aged 30 to 64, and 234 (11.9%) aged 65 or older. Ethnicities were 91.9% European/Pākehā, 14.1% Māori, 3.7% Pacific peoples, 2.3% Asian, and 2.4% other ethnicities (totals add to more than 100% since people could identify with multiple ethnicities). The proportion of people born overseas was 22.9%, compared with 27.1% nationally. Although some people objected to giving their religion, 60.1% had no religion, 29.4% were Christian, 0.5% were Buddhist and 3.2% had other religions. Of those at least 15 years old, 537 (35.0%) people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 138 (9.0%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $44,800, compared with $31,800 nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 891 (58.0%) people were employed full-time, 255 (16.6%) were part-time, and 48 (3.1%) were unemployed. Features Pukerua Bay has a branch of Porirua Library, a Returned Servicemen's Association, tennis club, scout hall, sports field, and several nature reserves and trails. Retail facilities include a convenience store, hairdresser and second-hand bookstore. There is one railway station, Pukerua Bay Railway Station, on the North Island Main Trunk railway, with suburban services provided by Metlink. The