The district was originally settled by immigrants from the Dalmatian coast of Croatia, many of whom were part of traditional winegrowing families.
Demographics
The statistical area of Kumeu-Huapai had a population of 3,432 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 2,022 people since the 2013 census, and an increase of 2,046 people since the 2006 census. There were 1,110 households. There were 1,698 males and 1,734 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.98 males per female. The median age was 34.9 years, with 822 people aged under 15 years, 567 aged 15 to 29, 1,689 aged 30 to 64, and 357 aged 65 or older. Ethnicities were 81.7% European/Pākehā, 8.7% Māori, 3.6% Pacific peoples, 14.5% Asian, and 3.3% other ethnicities. The proportion of people born overseas was 27.6%, compared with 27.1% nationally. Although some people objected to giving their religion, 59.5% had no religion, 28.3% were Christian, and 7.3% had other religions. Of those at least 15 years old, 639 people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 315 people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $47,800. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 1,629 people were employed full-time, 318 were part-time, and 57 were unemployed.
Rural surrounds
The rural area around Kumeū and Huapai, comprising the statistical areas of Kumeu Rural West and Kumeu Rural East, had a population of 3,654 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 339 people since the 2013 census, and an increase of 600 people since the 2006 census. There were 1,122 households. There were 1,851 males and 1,803 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.03 males per female, with 627 people aged under 15 years, 696 aged 15 to 29, 1,710 aged 30 to 64, and 621 aged 65 or older. Ethnicities were 84.6% European/Pākehā, 11.5% Māori, 4.3% Pacific peoples, 10.2% Asian, and 1.4% other ethnicities. The proportion of people born overseas was 21.6%, compared with 27.1% nationally. Although some people objected to giving their religion, 56.6% had no religion, 30.9% were Christian, and 6.2% had other religions. Of those at least 15 years old, 582 people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 510 people had no formal qualifications. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 1,578 people were employed full-time, 516 were part-time, and 63 were unemployed.
Economy
Areas surrounding the Kumeū district produce labels such as Kumeu River, Cooper's Creek and Soljans Estate Winery have gained a good reputation for their Chardonnay and Sauvignon blanc wines. The winegrowing district is the main industry in both Kumeū itself and the smaller nearby settlements of Huapai and Waimauku.
Kumeu River Wines, established in 1944.
Coopers Creek, established in 1980.
Landmark Estate, founded in 1937.
Matua Valley, established in 1966. Matua Valley closed its doors in 2016.
Nobilos was established in 1943 by Nikola Nobilo and remained family owned until the late 1990s. Now known as Nobilo Wine Group, the company is New Zealand's second largest wine company.
Soljans Estate Winery was established in 1932 in Henderson, West Auckland. As the company grew they later moved to Kumeū in 2002
The area is popular for lifestyle block farming and equestrian pursuits. The Kumeu Agricultural and Horticultural Society hosts one of the largest annual shows in the Southern Hemisphere on of land owned by the Kumeu District Agricultural and Horticultural Society, on the second weekend in March every year. The nearby localities of Woodhill forest and Muriwai Beach means it has strong recreational interests.
Music
Since 1948 Kumeū has had a brass band, competing in many events, and playing in parades, concerts & private Functions, traditional & modern music for all occasions. The Kumeu Showgrounds are also the venue for the annual Auckland Folk Festival, a 4-day event of music, dancing and workshops, now in its 46th year. The festival is generally held over the last weekend in January.
Transport
The railway network's North Auckland Line passes through Kumeū. For six years the town was the terminus of the isolated Kumeu-Riverhead Section railway, which linked Kumeū to Riverhead, where ferries ran to Auckland. It operated from 1875 until 1881. In 1881, the North Auckland Line reached Kumeū, making the town a railway junction. This status lasted a mere five days; the new railway from Auckland made the line to Riverhead redundant and it was accordingly closed. In June 2007 it was announced that suburban rail services would be extended to Helensville in 2008, with temporary stations to be built at Huapai and Waimauku. The service commenced on 14 July 2008 for a one-year trial period, and was then suspended permanently in 2009.
