and covers . It had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km2. Paekākāriki had a population of 1,746 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 78 people (4.7%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 144 people (9.0%) since the 2006 census. There were 711 households. There were 831 males and 915 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.91 males per female. The median age was 44.9 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 327 people (18.7%) aged under 15 years, 222 (12.7%) aged 15 to 29, 930 (53.3%) aged 30 to 64, and 267 (15.3%) aged 65 or older. Ethnicities were 89.3% European/Pākehā, 17.4% Māori, 3.1% Pacific peoples, 2.7% Asian, and 3.6% other ethnicities (totals add to more than 100% since people could identify with multiple ethnicities). The proportion of people born overseas was 21.5%, compared with 27.1% nationally. Although some people objected to giving their religion, 68.9% had no religion, 19.9% were Christian, 0.2% were Hindu, 0.2% were Muslim, 0.9% were Buddhist and 3.4% had other religions. Of those at least 15 years old, 573 (40.4%) people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 126 (8.9%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $35,800, compared with $31,800 nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 702 (49.5%) people were employed full-time, 267 (18.8%) were part-time, and 48 (3.4%) were unemployed. Local government Paekākāriki is administered by the Kapiti Coast District Council and elects the Paekākāriki Community Board, one of the Council's four community boards. Education Paekākāriki School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students, with a roll of as of . In popular culture The town was featured in the 1999 song "Paekakariki Beach", by the British rock group New Model Army. and in the 1948 song "Paekakariki, the land of the Tiki" by Ken Avery. The town also appeared in an animated documentary by the Simmonds Brothers, entitled: "Paekakariki: Center of the Universe". The American writer Leon Uris was stationed as a marine in Paekākāriki during World War II. He drew on his experiences there when writing his first novel Battle Cry. An album entitled "Paekakariki Moon" by Warwick Murray, featuring songs written and sounds recorded in the town, was released in 2017. Notes References External links Paekakariki Surf Lifeguards Paekakariki in the land of the Tiki