Waitōtara is a town in South Taranaki, New Zealand. Waverley is 10 km to the north-west, and Whanganui is 34 km to the south-east. State Highway 3 passes through it. The Waitōtara River flows past the east side of the town.[6][7]
Waitōtara | |
|---|---|
 Interactive map of Waitōtara | |
| Coordinates: 39°48′21″S 174°44′4″E / 39.80583°S 174.73444°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Taranaki |
| Territorial authority | South Taranaki District |
| Ward |
|
| Community | Pātea Community |
| Electorates | |
| Government | |
| • Territorial Authority | South Taranaki District Council |
| • Regional council | Taranaki Regional Council |
| • Mayor of South Taranaki | Phil Nixon[1] |
| • Whanganui MP | Carl Bates[2] |
| • Te Tai Hauāuru MP | Debbie Ngarewa-Packer[3] |
| Area | |
• Total | 0.25 km2 (0.097 sq mi) |
| Population (June 2025)[5] | |
• Total | 70 |
| • Density | 280/km2 (730/sq mi) |
More than 30 homes were evacuated during flooding in February 2004.[8]
A local freezing works is a major employer.[9]
In April 2025 the 104-year old Waitotara Hotel, which was also used as a grocery story and postal centre, was devastated by a fire.[10][11][12]
Demographics
editWaitōtara is described by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement. It covers 0.25 km2 (0.097 sq mi)[4] and had an estimated population of 70 as of June 2025,[5] with a population density of 280 people per km2. It is part of the larger Manutahi-Waitotora statistical area.[13]
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 66 | — |
| 2013 | 66 | +0.00% |
| 2018 | 72 | +1.76% |
| 2023 | 69 | −0.85% |
| Source: [14][15] | ||
_(16685005984).jpg)
Waitōtara had a population of 69 in the 2023 New Zealand census, a decrease of 3 people (−4.2%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 3 people (4.5%) since the 2013 census. There were 39 males and 30 females in 36 dwellings.[16] The median age was 54.3 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 9 people (13.0%) aged under 15 years, 12 (17.4%) aged 15 to 29, 27 (39.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 21 (30.4%) aged 65 or older.[14]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 73.9% European (Pākehā), 34.8% Māori, and 4.3% Asian. English was spoken by 100.0%, and Māori by 4.3%. No language could be spoken by 4.3% (e.g. too young to talk). The percentage of people born overseas was 4.3, compared with 28.8% nationally.[14]
Religious affiliations were 21.7% Christian, and 4.3% Hindu. People who answered that they had no religion were 56.5%, and 17.4% of people did not answer the census question.[14]
Of those at least 15 years old, 3 (5.0%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 27 (45.0%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 30 (50.0%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $26,500, compared with $41,500 nationally. 3 people (5.0%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 21 (35.0%) full-time, 6 (10.0%) part-time, and 6 (10.0%) unemployed.[14]
Marae
editWaitōtara has marae associated with the hapū of Ngā Rauru Kītahi:
- Te Ihupuku Marae and Te Kawerau and Karepoonia are affiliated with Ngāti Hinewaiata.
- Kaipō or Wharetapapa Marae and its Tokanuhea III meeting house are affiliated with Ngāti Hou Tipua.
- Takirau Marae and Ko Te Marunga Nui o Pourua meeting house are affiliated with Ngāti Pourua.
- Tauranga Ika Marae and Te Aputa ki Wairau meeting house are affiliated with Ngāti Ruaiti.
- Waipapa Marae and Ngā Paiaka meeting house are affiliated with Ngā Ariki.[17][18]
In October 2020, the Government committed $522,926 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade Te Ihupuku Marae, Waipapa Marae and Te Aroha Marae, creating 92 jobs.[19]
Education
editSee also
editReferences
edit- ↑ "Declaration of Results of Election and Poll" (PDF). South Taranaki District Council. 17 October 2025.
- ↑ "Whanganui - Official Result". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
- ↑ "Te Tai Hauāuru - Official Result". Retrieved 20 April 2025.
- 1 2 "Stats NZ Geographic Data Service". Urban Rural 2023 (generalised). Retrieved 30 October 2025.
- 1 2 "Subnational population estimates - Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
- ↑ Peter Dowling, ed. (2004). Reed New Zealand Atlas. Reed Books. pp. map 44. ISBN 0-7900-0952-8.
- ↑ Roger Smith, GeographX (2005). The Geographic Atlas of New Zealand. Robbie Burton. pp. map 104. ISBN 1-877333-20-4.
- ↑ "Cyclone set to miss NZ but heavy rain coming". The New Zealand Herald. 26 February 2004.
- ↑ Maslin, John (15 May 2008). "Dannevirke works closure could mean expansion at Waitotara". Wanganui Chronicle.
- ↑ "Stuff". www.stuff.co.nz.
- ↑ "Taranaki town loses its 'focal point' Waitotara Hotel in devastating fire". RNZ. 18 April 2025.
- ↑ "'Fully involved': South Taranaki hotel burns down in a dramatic blaze". ZB. 18 April 2025.
- ↑ "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. Waitōtara (1328). Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ↑ "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. 7017544.
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ "Te Kāhui Māngai directory". tkm.govt.nz. Te Puni Kōkiri.
- ↑ "Māori Maps". maorimaps.com. Te Potiki National Trust.
- ↑ "Marae Announcements" (Excel). growregions.govt.nz. Provincial Growth Fund. 9 October 2020.
- ↑ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ↑ "Waitotara School - Education Counts". www.educationcounts.govt.nz.
- ↑ "Welcome to Waitotara School". Waitotara School. Archived from the original on 14 October 2008. Retrieved 28 June 2008.