Franklin Villages and Rural Localities

Ramarama, Pukekohe: Rural Area Guide to Community with Rapid Growth and Lifestyle Blocks

Last updated October 2026

Ramarama is a rural community in the Franklin district of Auckland, located along the Southern Motorway corridor between Pukekohe and Bombay. Ramarama remains characterised by rural-residential living, small local businesses, and community facilities that support a dispersed population.

Official Locality Facts

The official Ramarama boundary. Boundary: LINZ, CC BY 4.0.
Population (2023 Census)
About 1,560, up 43% since 2018
Land area
24.11 km²
Location
8.2 km north-east of central Pukekohe
Council
Auckland Council
Neighbouring suburbs
Bombay, Ararimu, Paerata, Runciman, Drury, Hūnua, Pukekohe East, Pukekohe
Local details
Ward or local board
Franklin Local Board
Getting there
Southern Motorway (SH1) exit 466 and Ararimu Road; Pukekohe train station a short drive away
Nearby landmarks
Ramarama Hall, Te Maketu Falls
Boundary, area and neighbours: LINZ, CC BY 4.0. Population: Stats NZ 2023 Census usually resident population, CC BY 4.0, summed from the statistical areas inside the boundary.

Who Lives in Ramarama

About 1,560 residents in 550 households. From the 2023 Census, with the New Zealand figure alongside for comparison.

Homes
Owned or in a family trust
76%NZ 66%
Rented
24%NZ 34%
Standalone houses
95%NZ 79%
Townhouses, units and flats
5%NZ 21%
Damp (always or sometimes)
9%NZ 18%
Mould larger than A4
8%NZ 14%
Source: Stats NZ 2023 Census, CC BY 4.0. Figures are summed from the census areas inside the official Ramarama boundary. Percentages are of the people or homes that answered each question; a figure is left out when fewer than 100 answered.

Schools in Ramarama

One school sits inside the Ramarama boundary. It has an enrolment zone, so check an address is in zone before you buy or rent.

P
Ramarama SchoolYears 1 to 8 · State · co-ed
Roll 231Zone covers part of this suburb

Also zoned for Ramarama

P
Pukekohe East SchoolYears 1 to 6 · State · co-ed
Roll 161Zone covers part of this suburb
I
Pukekohe IntermediateYears 7 to 8 · State · co-ed
Roll 689Zone covers part of this suburb
S
Pukekohe High SchoolYears 9 to 13 · State · co-ed
Roll 1,923Zone covers part of this suburb
See school zones on the Pukekohe Schools map

Source: Ministry of Education school directory and enrolment zones (CC BY 4.0 and CC BY 3.0 NZ), October 2026. Zones change, so confirm with the school before relying on one.

Bin Day in Ramarama

Auckland Council sets collection days street by street. Look up your address to get your day and which bins go out.

Find your bin day and what goes in each bin

Safety and Hazards

Crime at homes, streets and public places
LowerPukekohe averageHigher

About the Pukekohe average for the number of people who live here. Another 6 reports were at shops and businesses.

Burglary 52%Theft 34%Assault 10%
💧
FloodingAbout 13% of the land in Ramarama is in the council's mapped flood areas (a 1-in-100-year rainstorm, allowing for climate change and future development). Check a street on the council map before you buy.Open the council flood map

Sources: NZ Police victimisation data, CC BY 4.0, September 2025 to August 2026 (crimes inside homes are only published for burglary); Auckland Council tsunami evacuation zones (2024) and flood plains.

Buses from Ramarama

384
384About every 30 min

3 bus stops inside the suburb.

Source: Auckland Transport timetable data. Typical weekday daytime frequency.

Weather and Rent at a Glance

Sunshine2,122 hrsa year
Summer high24°Caverage, February
Winter high15°Caverage, July
Typical rent$645 a weekmedian, all homes, Auckland

Sources: NIWA climate averages 1991-2020 (via Figure.NZ) (Auckland station); Tenancy Services rental bond data (MBIE), CC BY 4.0, September 2025 to August 2026. City-wide figures.

In Ramarama

Places and businesses inside the official Ramarama boundary.

Places

About Ramarama

Ramarama sits in the Franklin district and is physically divided by the Southern Motorway, with the relevant section constructed in 1978.

Ramarama sits in the Franklin district and is physically divided by the Southern Motorway, with the relevant section constructed in 1978. The older rural settlement and community hall lie on one side, while newer lifestyle block developments occupy the other. This layout has supported ongoing residential expansion while preserving much of the rural character.

The main settlement features a convenience store and several small businesses. The Ramarama Hall, located near the motorway exit, serves as the primary venue for local events, weddings, parties and community gatherings, with a capacity of 200 people and accessible facilities.

Ramarama School has operated since 1867 and remains a full primary school serving Years 1–8. It occupies 2.8 hectares of grounds that include learning spaces, a library, sports facilities and a swimming pool. The school caters to families across the wider Ramarama area, including those on lifestyle blocks along Ararimu Road and surrounding rural roads.

The area’s growth reflects demand for rural living with reasonable commuting access to Auckland via SH1. The motorway exit at 466 provides direct northbound and southbound connections, with Auckland’s urban fringe reachable in under an hour for many commuters. Pukekohe’s train station offers an additional rail option a short drive away.

Maketu Waterfall

The eastern side of Ramarama provides access to rural roads leading toward Te Maketu Falls on the Maketu Stream.

The eastern side of Ramarama provides access to rural roads leading toward Te Maketu Falls on the Maketu Stream. This 8-metre cascade features a swimming hole and is reached by a short, easy walk of around 10 minutes from nearby roads such as Pratts Road.

The site attracts local swimmers and walkers, particularly during summer months, and offers a tranquil natural setting within the rural landscape.

Near Ramarama

Just outside Ramarama, within 10 km of its centre, nearest first.

Places

Show 2 more places

Businesses

Explore all Pukekohe businesses

Where to Learn More

Wikipedia — Ramarama, New Zealand: Detailed demographics, history and local features including the motorway and school.

Auckland Council — Ramarama Hall: Booking information and facilities for the community venue.

Ramarama School: Current school information, facilities and contact details.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Ramarama?
Ramarama is a rural community in Auckland’s Franklin district on the Southern Motorway (SH1) between Pukekohe and Bombay, with the exit at 466.

Is there a school in Ramarama?
Yes. Ramarama School is a full primary school (Years 1–8) established in 1867 with a current roll of 207 students. It includes extensive grounds with sports facilities and a swimming pool.

What is the Ramarama Hall?
The Ramarama Hall is a community venue near the motorway exit with capacity for 200 people. It features a kitchenette and accessible facilities and hosts local events and private functions.

Is Ramarama good for commuters?
Yes. Exit 466 on SH1 provides direct access north and south, with Auckland’s urban areas typically reachable in under an hour. Pukekohe train station is a short drive away for rail commuters.

Are there any natural attractions near Ramarama?
Yes. Te Maketu Falls, an 8-metre waterfall on the Maketu Stream, lies east of the motorway and is accessible by a short walk from rural roads such as Pratts Road. It features a swimming hole popular in summer.

Which local board covers Ramarama?
Ramarama is in the Franklin Local Board area of Auckland Council.

Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.

Explore Pukekohe only lists suburbs officially recognised by Land Information New Zealand (LINZ), and Ramarama is one of them. Suburb boundary: LINZ, CC BY 4.0.