Waiotahe (formerly written Waiotahi) is a beach, settlement and rural community in the Ōpōtiki District and Bay of Plenty Region of New Zealand's North Island, near the mouth and lowermost stretch of the Waiotahe River.
Waiotahe | |
|---|---|
Rural settlement | |
 Te Ara Ki Te Rawhiti - The pathway to the sunrise | |
 Interactive map of Waiotahe | |
| Coordinates: 37°59′35″S 177°14′28″E / 37.993°S 177.241°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Bay of Plenty |
| Territorial authority | Ōpōtiki District |
| Ward | Waioeka-Waiōtahe-Otara Ward |
| Electorates | |
| Government | |
| • Territorial authority | Ōpōtiki District Council |
| • Regional council | Bay of Plenty Regional Council |
| • Mayor of Ōpōtiki | David Moore[1] |
| • East Coast MP | Dana Kirkpatrick[2] |
| • Waiariki MP | Rawiri Waititi[3] |
| Area | |
• Total | 0.94 km2 (0.36 sq mi) |
| Population (June 2025)[5] | |
• Total | 260 |
| • Density | 280/km2 (720/sq mi) |
| Postcode(s) | 3198 |
It includes a beach that attracts swimmers, surfers and anglers during the summer months, and river mouths that people fish from year-round. The beach is more dangerous during low tide due to stronger rips, but has natural hazards in all conditions.[6]
Ōpōtiki District Council has banned vehicles from the mudflats of the Waiotahe estuary and a section of Waiotahe Beach.[7] The council allows vehicles at other beaches, unlike most other New Zealand councils.[8]
The town's official name reverted from Waiotahi back to the original Māori name Waiotahe in August 2015, following a decision by Land Information Minister Louise Upston, upheld by the New Zealand Geographic Board.[9]
History
editIn July 2013, a couple in their 60s were attacked and held captive in their Waiotahe home by a former soldier who had spent the previous night sleeping rough near the town hall.[10] The perpetrator fled the scene in their ute and was shot dead by police in Auckland.[11] The couple were hospitalised for injuries to their hands and reported being traumatised by their ordeal.[12]
The first case of Mycoplasma bovis in the Bay of Plenty was recorded in a farm in Waiotahe in January 2020.[13]
Demographics
editStats NZ describes Waiotahe as a rural settlement, which covers 0.94 km2 (0.36 sq mi).[4] It had an estimated population of 260 as of June 2025,[5] with a population density of 277 people per km2. The settlement is part of the Waiotahe statistical area.[14]
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 156 | — |
| 2013 | 159 | +0.27% |
| 2018 | 246 | +9.12% |
| 2023 | 228 | −1.51% |
| The 2006 population is for a larger area of 7.90 km2. Source: [15][16] | ||
Waiotahe settlement had a population of 228 in the 2023 New Zealand census, a decrease of 18 people (−7.3%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 69 people (43.4%) since the 2013 census. There were 111 males and 114 females in 105 dwellings.[17] 1.3% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 57.6 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 27 people (11.8%) aged under 15 years, 18 (7.9%) aged 15 to 29, 114 (50.0%) aged 30 to 64, and 66 (28.9%) aged 65 or older.[15]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 76.3% European (Pākehā), 35.5% Māori, 3.9% Pasifika, 3.9% Asian, and 2.6% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 97.4%, Māori by 10.5%, Samoan by 1.3%, and other languages by 3.9%. No language could be spoken by 1.3% (e.g. too young to talk). The percentage of people born overseas was 13.2, compared with 28.8% nationally.[15]
Religious affiliations were 30.3% Christian, 3.9% Māori religious beliefs, 1.3% Buddhist, and 1.3% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 53.9%, and 9.2% of people did not answer the census question.[15]
Of those at least 15 years old, 39 (19.4%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 126 (62.7%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 39 (19.4%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $37,700, compared with $41,500 nationally. 24 people (11.9%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 84 (41.8%) full-time, 27 (13.4%) part-time, and 3 (1.5%) unemployed.[15]
Waiotahe statistical area
editWaiotahe statistical area, which also includes Ōhiwa, covers 143.25 km2 (55.31 sq mi)[18] and had an estimated population of 1,650 as of June 2025,[19] with a population density of 12 people per km2.
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 1,368 | — |
| 2013 | 1,368 | +0.00% |
| 2018 | 1,530 | +2.26% |
| 2023 | 1,602 | +0.92% |
| The 2006 population is for a smaller area of 141.78 km2. Source: [20][21] | ||
Waiotahe had a population of 1,602 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 72 people (4.7%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 234 people (17.1%) since the 2013 census. There were 828 males, 771 females, and 6 people of other genders in 708 dwellings.[22] 1.7% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 52.2 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 252 people (15.7%) aged under 15 years, 204 (12.7%) aged 15 to 29, 723 (45.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 423 (26.4%) aged 65 or older.[20]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 71.2% European (Pākehā); 41.6% Māori; 2.6% Pasifika; 3.2% Asian; 0.4% 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 97.9%, Māori by 11.6%, Samoan by 0.2%, and other languages by 4.5%. No language could be spoken by 1.3% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.9%. The percentage of people born overseas was 11.2, compared with 28.8% nationally.[20]
Religious affiliations were 28.5% Christian, 0.4% Hindu, 5.6% Māori religious beliefs, 0.9% Buddhist, and 1.9% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 56.9%, and 7.1% of people did not answer the census question.[20]
Of those at least 15 years old, 228 (16.9%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 786 (58.2%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 339 (25.1%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $36,000, compared with $41,500 nationally. 111 people (8.2%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 609 (45.1%) full-time, 189 (14.0%) part-time, and 51 (3.8%) unemployed.[20]
Education
editNotable people
editKayaker Lisa Carrington was raised in the valley and went to the local school, where both of her parents are teachers. She regularly visits the area.[27]
References
edit- ↑ "Final results 2025". Ōpōtiki District Council. 17 October 2025.
- ↑ "East Coast - Official Result". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
- ↑ "Waiariki – Official Result". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
- 1 2 "Stats NZ Geographic Data Service". Urban Rural 2023 (generalised). Retrieved 18 July 2025.
- 1 2 "Subnational population estimates - Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
- ↑ "Waiotahi Beach". finabeach.co.nz. Surf Life Saving New Zealand.
- ↑ Staff reporter (26 December 2019). "Stick to the rules if driving on the beach". Sun Media. Sun Live.
- ↑ Hutt, Kendall (8 January 2020). "Explainer: Where can you drive your car on the beach?". stuff.co.nz.
- ↑ Gullier, Aimee (28 August 2015). "'Waiotahi' corrected to 'Waiotahe'". stuff.co.nz.
- ↑ Wall, Tony (14 July 2013). "Captive offered to help shootout victim". stuff.co.nz. Sunday Star Times.
- ↑ Kirk, Stacey (8 July 2013). "Police shoot ex-soldier dead after chase". stuff.co.nz.
- ↑ Kidd, Rob (9 July 2013). "Rampaging ex-soldier 'didn't kill himself'". stuff.co.nz. Nelson Mail.
- ↑ Staff reporter (24 January 2020). "First case of Mycoplasma bovis confirmed in the Bay of Plenty". New Zealand Media and Entertainment. Rotorua Daily Post.
- ↑ "Geographic Boundary Viewer". Stats NZ. Statistical Area 1 – 2023 and Statistical Area 2 – 2023.
- 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. Waiotahe (1438). Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ↑ "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. 7015420.
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ "Stats NZ Geographic Data Service". Statistical Area 2 2023 (generalised). Retrieved 18 July 2025.
- ↑ "Subnational population estimates - Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
- 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. Waiotahe (204101). Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ↑ "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Waiotahi (204100). 2018 Census place summary: Waiotahi
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ "Waiotahe Valley School Ministry of Education School Profile". educationcounts.govt.nz. Ministry of Education.
- ↑ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ↑ "Waiotahe Valley School Education Review Office Report". ero.govt.nz. Education Review Office.
- ↑ Shanks, Katee (31 December 2020). "Waiotahe Valley School Centenary approaching". News Whakatane.
- ↑ Staff reporter (28 November 2019). "Lisa Carrington cherishing time in hometown ahead of massive year on the water". Television New Zealand. 1News.