Awapuni is a suburb of the New Zealand city of Gisborne, located in the southwest of the city.^[3] It is named after the Awapuni lagoon, where the Waipaoa River runs into the ocean.^[4] The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "blocked-up river" for Awapuni.^[5]

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Awapuni
Suburb
Coordinates: 38.6676°S 178.0003°E / -38.6676; 178.0003
Country	New Zealand
City	Gisborne
Local authority	Gisborne District Council
Electoral ward	Tairāwhiti General Ward
Area [1]
• Land	869 ha (2,147 acres)
Population  (June 2023)[2]
• Total	1,080
Airports	Gisborne Airport

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Makaraka	Elgin	Gisborne Central
	Awapuni	Victoria
	(Poverty Bay)

The local Awapuni Pā, also known as Te Kuri a Tuatai, is a tribal meeting place of the Rongowhakaata hapū of Ruapani, Ngāi Tāwhiri and Te Whānau a Iwi.^[6] It includes the Whareroa meeting house.^[7]

The statistical area of Makaraka-Awapuni, which also includes Makaraka, covers 8.69 km² (3.36 sq mi)^[1] and had an estimated population of 1,080 as of June 2023,^[2] with a population density of 124 people per km².

Makaraka-Awapuni had a population of 969 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 141 people (17.0%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 105 people (12.2%) since the 2006 census. There were 345 households, comprising 504 males and 465 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.08 males per female. The median age was 44.6 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 171 people (17.6%) aged under 15 years, 159 (16.4%) aged 15 to 29, 459 (47.4%) aged 30 to 64, and 180 (18.6%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 74.0% European/Pākehā, 38.1% Māori, 3.7% Pacific peoples, 3.4% Asian, and 2.2% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 11.5, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 50.5% had no religion, 35.0% were Christian, 2.5% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.6% were Hindu, 0.6% were Buddhist and 2.2% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 117 (14.7%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 186 (23.3%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $29,400, compared with $31,800 nationally. 102 people (12.8%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 417 (52.3%) people were employed full-time, 111 (13.9%) were part-time, and 27 (3.4%) were unemployed.^[8]

Awapuni has three sports grounds: Awapuni Stadium, the Oval Reserve cricket and rugby ground, and Watson Park.^[9]

Midway Beach includes a beach, barbecue area, horse riding area, jet skiing area, kite surfing area, dog walking area, and the Kopututea Sand Dunes.^[9]

Adventure Playground includes a picnic area and public toilets.^[9]

Awapuni School is a Year 1–6 co-educational state primary school^[10][11] with a roll of 276 as of February 2024.^[12][13]