Atawhai is a suburb of Nelson, on the South Island of New Zealand. It lies north of Nelson and is the location of Wakapuaka Cemetery, a burial place since 1861. It also has a coastline on Nelson Haven and access to Boulder Bank via State Highway 6.[6][7]
Atawhai
Atawhai (Māori) | |
|---|---|
Township | |
 The suburb of Atawhai | |
 Interactive map of Atawhai | |
| Coordinates: 41°14′13″S 173°19′01″E / 41.237°S 173.317°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Nelson |
| Ward |
|
| Electorates | |
| Government | |
| • Territorial Authority | Nelson City Council |
| • Nelson City Mayor | Nick Smith[1] |
| • Nelson MP | Rachel Boyack[2] |
| • Te Tai Tonga MP | Tākuta Ferris[3] |
| Area | |
• Total | 4.54 km2 (1.75 sq mi) |
| Population (June 2025)[5] | |
• Total | 2,890 |
| • Density | 637/km2 (1,650/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+12 (NZST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+13 (NZDT) |
| Postcode | 7010 |
| Area code | 03 |
Geography
editAtawhai, including Brooklands and Dodson Valley, covers an area of 4.54 km2, including a land area of 4.54 km2.[4]
Miyazu Japanese Garden, a Japanese public garden and public reserve, is located in Atawhai.[8]
Wakapuaka Cemetery is also located in the area.[8]
Atawhai also has several local parks: Bayview Reserve, Corder Park, Frenchay Reserve, Montrose Reserve, Ngapua Reserve, Queen Elizabeth II Reserve, Te-Ata Reserve, Titoki Reserve, Tresillian Reserve and Werneth Reserve.[8]
History and culture
editThe estimated population of Atawhai reached 2,000 in 1996.[9]
It reached 2,220 in 2001, 2,208 in 2006, 2,556 in 2013, and 2,790 in 2018.[9]
Whakatū Marae is located in Atawhai. It is the marae (meeting ground) of Ngāti Kōata, Ngāti Rārua, Ngāti Tama ki Te Tau Ihu, Ngāti Toa Rangatira and Te Atiawa o Te Waka-a-Māui. It includes the Kākāti wharenui (meeting house).[10][11]
Demography
editThe Atawhai statistical area had an estimated population of 2,890 as of June 2025,[5] with a population density of 637 people per km2.
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 2,000 | — |
| 2001 | 2,220 | +2.11% |
| 2006 | 2,208 | −0.11% |
| 2013 | 2,556 | +2.11% |
| 2018 | 2,790 | +1.77% |
| 2023 | 2,877 | +0.62% |
| Source: [12][13][9] | ||
Atawhai had a population of 2,877 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 87 people (3.1%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 321 people (12.6%) since the 2013 census. There were 1,389 males, 1,485 females, and 9 people of other genders in 1,176 dwellings.[14] 3.2% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 51.1 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 417 people (14.5%) aged under 15 years, 351 (12.2%) aged 15 to 29, 1,359 (47.2%) aged 30 to 64, and 753 (26.2%) aged 65 or older.[12]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 91.3% European (Pākehā); 8.7% Māori; 0.9% Pasifika; 4.4% Asian; 1.1% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.8% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 98.2%, Māori by 2.5%, Samoan by 0.1%, and other languages by 10.9%. No language could be spoken by 1.4% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.4%. The percentage of people born overseas was 29.8, compared with 28.8% nationally.[12]
Religious affiliations were 25.5% Christian, 0.5% Hindu, 0.2% Islam, 0.1% Māori religious beliefs, 0.4% Buddhist, 0.5% New Age, 0.3% Jewish, and 1.6% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 64.5%, and 6.8% of people did not answer the census question.[12]
Of those at least 15 years old, 858 (34.9%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 1,206 (49.0%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 402 (16.3%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $41,900, compared with $41,500 nationally. 288 people (11.7%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 1,068 (43.4%) full-time, 456 (18.5%) part-time, and 39 (1.6%) unemployed.[12]
Economy
editIn 2018, 6.9% worked in manufacturing, 8.5% worked in construction, 4.0% worked in hospitality, 4.6% worked in transport, 7.9% worked in education, and 13.5% worked in healthcare.[9]
Transport
editAs of 2018, among those who commute to work, 73.5% drove a car, 3.4% rode in a car, 7.1% use a bike, and 7.1% walk or run. No one used public transport.[9]
References
edit- ↑ "2025 Triennial Elections Declaration of Result" (PDF). Electionz. Retrieved 18 October 2025.
- ↑ "Amended Official Result for the Nelson Electoral District". New Zealand Gazette. 10 November 2023.
- ↑ "Te Tai Tonga – Official Result". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 23 February 2026.
- 1 2 "Stats NZ Geographic Data Service". Statistical Area 2 2023 (generalised). Retrieved 25 April 2026.
- 1 2 "Subnational population estimates - Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
- ↑ "Wakapuaka Cemetery". Nelson.govt.nz. Retrieved 29 April 2014.
- ↑ "Boulder Bank". www.wonderwalkers.co.nz. Archived from the original on 29 April 2014. Retrieved 29 April 2014.
- 1 2 3 "Nelson Parks and Reserves". gdc.govt.nz. Gisborne District Council.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Place Summary – Atawhai". Stats NZ. Statistics New Zealand.
- ↑ "Te Kāhui Māngai directory". tkm.govt.nz. Te Puni Kōkiri.
- ↑ "Māori Maps". maorimaps.com. Te Potiki National Trust.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Atawhai (304300). Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ↑ "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Atawhai (304300). 2018 Census place summary: Atawhai
- ↑ "Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Retrieved 3 October 2024.