Waihi Beach

Waihi Beach is a coastal town at the western end of the Bay of Plenty in New Zealand's North Island. It lies 10 kilometres to the east of the town of Waihi, at the foot of the Coromandel Peninsula. The main beach is 10 kilometres long. The town had a permanent population of 2,780 as of June 2023.

Waihi Beach
Waihi Beach
Waihi Beach
Coordinates: 37.411°S 175.941°E / -37.411; 175.941
CountryNew Zealand
RegionBay of Plenty
Territorial authorityWestern Bay of Plenty District
WardKatikati-Waihi Beach Ward
CommunityWaihi Beach Community
Electorates
Government
 • Territorial AuthorityWestern Bay of Plenty District Council
 • Regional councilBay of Plenty Regional Council
Area
[1]
 • Total6.31 km2 (2.44 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2023)[2]
 • Total2,780
 • Density440/km2 (1,100/sq mi)

At the northern end of Waihi Beach, the 145 hectares (360 acres) Orokawa Scenic Reserve offers several short walking tracks along the coast and to Orokawa Bay.[3][4] While the main beach is backed by the residential area of the township of Waihi Beach, Orokawa Bay is undeveloped and surrounded by native bush including pohutukawa, puriri, and nikau palms.[4]

Anzac Bay from Bowentown lookout

At the southern end of the beach is the small settlement of Bowentown and the northern side of the northern Katikati entrance to Tauranga Harbour.[5]

History and culture

Early history

Māori have lived in the region since pre-European times, with numerous pā sites within a few kilometres of Waihi Beach. There is still evidence of the old pā sites at the Bowentown end of Waihi Beach.

The name Waihi ("Rising Water") is said to be named after a stream which flows into the beach, the later town of Waihi taking its name from the name for the beach.[6]

Modern history

The Waihi Beach Hotel was built in 1967 and the Athenree mineral hot springs are located nearby.[7] Nearby Waihi is known for the gold and silver mining operation at Martha Mine and several underground mines.[8]

Marae

Otāwhiwhi Marae, located in Bowentown, is a marae (tribal meeting ground) of the Ngāi Te Rangi tribe and Ngāi Tauwhao sub-tribe;[9] it includes the Tamaoho wharenui (meeting house).[10]

In October 2020, the Government committed $500,000 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade the marae. The upgrade is expected to create 33 jobs.[11]

Demographics

Waihi Beach-Bowentown covers 6.31 km2 (2.44 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 2,780 as of June 2023,[12] with a population density of 441 people per km2.

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
20062,058—    
20132,148+0.61%
20182,484+2.95%
Source: [13]

Waihi Beach-Bowentown had a population of 2,484 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 336 people (15.6%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 426 people (20.7%) since the 2006 census. There were 1,029 households, comprising 1,233 males and 1,251 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.99 males per female. The median age was 54.8 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 336 people (13.5%) aged under 15 years, 303 (12.2%) aged 15 to 29, 1,077 (43.4%) aged 30 to 64, and 765 (30.8%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 89.9% European/Pākehā, 14.6% Māori, 1.0% Pacific peoples, 2.5% Asian, and 1.4% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 13.9, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 54.1% had no religion, 34.2% were Christian, 1.7% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.7% were Hindu, 0.4% were Buddhist and 1.6% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 363 (16.9%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 369 (17.2%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $28,600, compared with $31,800 nationally. 378 people (17.6%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 837 (39.0%) people were employed full-time, 363 (16.9%) were part-time, and 57 (2.7%) were unemployed.[13]

Education

Waihi Beach School is a co-educational state primary school for Year to 6 students,[14] with a roll of 229 as of April 2023.[15] The school opened in 1924.[16]

References
  1. "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
  2. "Subnational population estimates (RC, SA2), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023. (regional councils); "Subnational population estimates (TA, SA2), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023. (territorial authorities); "Subnational population estimates (urban rural), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023. (urban areas)
  3. "Orokawa Bay". Waihi Beach Community Events & Promotions Inc. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
  4. "Tauranga area: Orokawa Scenic Reserve short walking tracks". Department of Conservation NZ. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
  5. "Bay of Plenty places - Waihī Beach to Bowentown". Te Ara: Encyclopedia of New Zealand. 14 November 2012. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
  6. "History of Waihi Beach". Ohinemuri Regional History Journal 9, May 1968. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
  7. "Why Waihi? Why not?". Waikato Times. 20 January 2014. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
  8. "History - Newmont Waihi Gold". Newmont Mining Corporation. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
  9. "Te Kāhui Māngai directory". tkm.govt.nz. Te Puni Kōkiri.
  10. "Māori Maps". maorimaps.com. Te Potiki National Trust.
  11. "Marae Announcements" (Excel). growregions.govt.nz. Provincial Growth Fund. 9 October 2020.
  12. "Population estimate tables - NZ.Stat". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  13. "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Waihi Beach-Bowentown (190200). 2018 Census place summary: Waihi Beach-Bowentown
  14. "Waihi Beach School Ministry of Education School Profile". educationcounts.govt.nz. Ministry of Education.
  15. "Waihi Beach School Education Review Office Report". ero.govt.nz. Education Review Office.
  16. "Waihi Beach School 75th Jubilee". Ohinemuri Regional History Journal (44). September 2000.

37°24′S 175°56′E

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