Tairua

The earliest occupation of the area was once thought to have been by early Polynesian explorers based on the discovery of a pearl-shell (not native to New Zealand) lure shank found here[5] and originally carbon-dated to the 11th century.[4] Subsequent reassessment of the archaeological site has resulted in dates in the 14th century.[6]

Early European settlers to the area, in the late 19th century, were primarily drawn by timber stocks (predominantly kauri) and gold prospecting.[7]

From the late 1960s Tairua has become a holiday destination,[7] with major activities including game fishing, scuba diving, and surfing.

Radio Tairua is an independent radio station on frequency 88.3FM, which has broadcast to the area since May 2007.[8]

The local Oturu Marae is located in Tairua. It is a tribal meeting ground for Ngāti Rautao and includes the Ngatau Wiwi meeting house.[9][10]

Tairua covers 4.17 km² (1.61 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 1,640 as of June 2022,[11] with a population density of 393 people per km².

Tairua had a population of 1,479 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 252 people (20.5%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 213 people (16.8%) since the 2006 census. There were 636 households, comprising 747 males and 732 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.02 males per female. The median age was 56.9 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 213 people (14.4%) aged under 15 years, 123 (8.3%) aged 15 to 29, 624 (42.2%) aged 30 to 64, and 516 (34.9%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 89.9% European/Pākehā, 11.6% Māori, 2.2% Pacific peoples, 4.7% Asian, and 2.0% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 22.3, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 52.7% had no religion, 33.7% were Christian, 0.8% had Māori religious beliefs, 1.0% were Hindu, 0.2% were Muslim, 1.0% were Buddhist and 2.0% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 225 (17.8%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 240 (19.0%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $25,400, compared with $31,800 nationally. 129 people (10.2%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 465 (36.7%) people were employed full-time, 195 (15.4%) were part-time, and 27 (2.1%) were unemployed.[12]

Tairua features an extremely mild oceanic climate (Köppen: Cfb) with no month having an average temperature above 20 °C or below 10 °C. As a result of this, temperatures above 30 °C or below 0 °C are almost unheard of with the town being a popular holiday location because of its mild weather, beautiful beaches and rugged hills and mountains. These surrounding hills and mountains also cause the city to see significant rainfall throughout the year, especially in winter which can often lead to flooding and slips which isolate the community (almost annually) for a day or two at a time. This high rainfall also leads to lush temperate rainforest vegetation surrounding the city.

Tairua School is a coeducational full primary (years 1–8) school[14] with a roll of 152 as of April 2023.[15]

Central Kids Tairua Kindergarten provides early childhood education for tamariki aged 2–5 years.

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Tairua.

• Radio Tairua 88.3FM
• Tairua.net