Kai Iwi is a rural community west of Whanganui in New Zealand's North Island. It lies close to SH 3, approximately halfway between Whanganui and Waitotara. The population centre is at Kai Iwi Beach, also called Mowhanau.
The area was settled by Europeans in the 1880s.
Other than farming, the community's largest industry is its honey factory, which was founded in 2003.
Kai Iwi is described by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement. It covers and had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km<sup>2</sup>. It is part of the larger Mowhanau statistical area.
Kai Iwi had a population of 192 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 51 people (36.2%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 57 people (42.2%) since the 2013 census. There were 105 males and 87 females in 69 dwellings. 1.6% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 50.1 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 30 people (15.6%) aged under 15 years, 24 (12.5%) aged 15 to 29, 90 (46.9%) aged 30 to 64, and 48 (25.0%) aged 65 or older.
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 92.2% European (PÃÂkehÃÂ), 23.4% MÃÂori, 1.6% Pasifika, 1.6% Asian, and 3.1% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 96.9%, MÃÂori by 6.2%, Samoan by 1.6%, and other languages by 6.2%. No language could be spoken by 1.6% (e.g. too young to talk). The percentage of people born overseas was 9.4, compared with 28.8% nationally.
Religious affiliations were 26.6% Christian, and 1.6% MÃÂori religious beliefs. People who answered that they had no religion were 68.8%, and 3.1% of people did not answer the census question.
Of those at least 15 years old, 36 (22.2%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 93 (57.4%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 30 (18.5%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $33,900, compared with $41,500 nationally. 18 people (11.1%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 60 (37.0%) full-time, 30 (18.5%) part-time, and 3 (1.9%) unemployed.
Mowhanau statistical area, which also includes PÃÂkaraka, covers and had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km<sup>2</sup>.
Mowhanau had a population of 1,407 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 114 people (8.8%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 105 people (8.1%) since the 2013 census. There were 729 males, 675 females, and 3 people of other genders in 522 dwellings. 2.1% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 46.1 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 267 people (19.0%) aged under 15 years, 195 (13.9%) aged 15 to 29, 666 (47.3%) aged 30 to 64, and 276 (19.6%) aged 65 or older.
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 91.7% European (PÃÂkehÃÂ); 16.4% MÃÂori; 1.5% Pasifika; 2.1% Asian; 0.2% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 4.3% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 98.3%, MÃÂori by 3.6%, Samoan by 0.2%, and other languages by 4.3%. No language could be spoken by 1.5% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 1.1%. The percentage of people born overseas was 11.1, compared with 28.8% nationally.
Religious affiliations were 32.8% Christian, 0.6% MÃÂori religious beliefs, 0.2% Buddhist, 0.4% New Age, and 0.4% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 58.8%, and 6.8% of people did not answer the census question.
Of those at least 15 years old, 252 (22.1%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 639 (56.1%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 246 (21.6%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $41,300, compared with $41,500 nationally. 123 people (10.8%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 567 (49.7%) full-time, 198 (17.4%) part-time, and 24 (2.1%) unemployed.
Kai Iwi has three marae, affiliated with NgÃÂti Iti and the NgàRauru hapà « of NgÃÂti Pà «keko: Te Aroha Marae and Te Kotahitanga meeting house; Kai Iwi Marae and Awhakaueroa meeting house; and Taipake Marae and Taipake meeting house.
In October 2020, the Government committed $522,926 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade Te Ihupuku Marae, Waipapa Marae and Te Aroha Marae, creating 92 jobs.
The Kai Iwi area has three artesian bores that are a major source of drinking water for Whanganui.
Bushy Park Tarapuruhi is a protected native forest reserve and bird sanctuary located inland from Kai Iwi on State Highway 3. The reserve has an area of approximately , and includes a homestead that is a Category 1 listed historic place.
Kai Iwi School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students, with a roll of as of The school opened in 1876.