Kura to be built in area of low Maori population

The construction of the kura kaupapa planned for Havelock North may start as early as next year.

The kura has received its official "wharekura status" from the Minister of Education, Hekia Parata, which means the kura can expand from a primary school to a high school.

Some believe that with such a small Maori population, Havelock North is not a suitable location.

Statistically the village has a far less diverse population than other areas of the Bay.

A whopping 84.2 per cent of Havelock North's population are European.

Just 3.5 per cent of Havelock North residents are Maori.

Only 1.3 per cent of the population are Asian and just 0.3 per cent represent Pacific people.

The second biggest ethnic population in Havelock North is 13.9 per cent of residents who identify as "other".

Flaxmere has a population of 9408 according to Statistics New Zealand.

Of the nearly 10,000 residents, 54.7 per cent were of Maori descent.

There is a 37.5 per cent population of New Zealand European, 19.5 per cent make up the Pacific Island population with the remaining 1.2 per cent accounting for Asians and other.

The Hastings population has 67 per cent of residents who identify as New Zealand European.

Hastings' Maori population is considerably above the national average of 15 per cent with 24 per cent residing in Hastings.

Pacific people make up just 5 per cent and Asians 3 per cent.

The new 2.8 hectare site along Arataki Rd, will allow the school to expand to 300 students, with capability to expand to 600.

Construction of the new premises will be complete by the end of 2017.