Waiotahe
Waiotahe (for a time, 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.
Waiotahi | |
|---|---|
Rural settlement | |
 Te Ara Ki Te Rawhiti - The pathway to the sunrise | |
| Coordinates: 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 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 7.90 km2 (3.05 sq mi) |
| Population (2018 Census)[2] | |
| • Total | 318 |
| 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.[3]
Ōpōtiki District Council has banned vehicles from the mudflats of the Waiotahe estuary and a section of Waiotahe Beach.[4] The council allows vehicles at other beaches, unlike most other New Zealand councils.[5]
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.[6]
History
In 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.[7] The perpetrator fled the scene in their ute and was shot dead by police in Auckland.[8] The couple were hospitalised for injuries to their hands and reported being traumatised by their ordeal.[9]
The first case of Mycoplasma bovis in Bay of Plenty was recorded in a farm in Waiotahe in January 2020.[10]
Demographics
Waiotahe is in an SA1 statistical area which covers 7.90 km2 (3.05 sq mi).[1] The SA1 area is part of the Waiotahi statistical area.
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 156 | — |
| 2013 | 210 | +4.34% |
| 2018 | 318 | +8.65% |
| Source: [2] | ||
The SA1 area had a population of 318 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 108 people (51.4%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 162 people (103.8%) since the 2006 census. There were 114 households, comprising 165 males and 153 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.08 males per female. The median age was 47.0 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 57 people (17.9%) aged under 15 years, 54 (17.0%) aged 15 to 29, 141 (44.3%) aged 30 to 64, and 69 (21.7%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 74.5% European/Pākehā, 35.8% Māori, 2.8% Pacific peoples, 5.7% Asian, and 1.9% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 54.7% had no religion, 29.2% were Christian, 3.8% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.9% were Hindu and 1.9% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 42 (16.1%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 51 (19.5%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $29,300, compared with $31,800 nationally. 27 people (10.3%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 123 (47.1%) people were employed full-time, 39 (14.9%) were part-time, and 6 (2.3%) were unemployed.[2]
Waiotahi statistical area
Waiotahi statistical area, which also includes Ōhiwa, covers 141.78 km2 (54.74 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 1,750 as of June 2022,[11] with a population density of 12 people per km2.
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 1,368 | — |
| 2013 | 1,368 | +0.00% |
| 2018 | 1,518 | +2.10% |
| Source: [12] | ||
Waiotahi had a population of 1,518 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 150 people (11.0%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 150 people (11.0%) since the 2006 census. There were 603 households, comprising 759 males and 756 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.0 males per female. The median age was 48.9 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 267 people (17.6%) aged under 15 years, 225 (14.8%) aged 15 to 29, 690 (45.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 333 (21.9%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 74.5% European/Pākehā, 40.3% Māori, 1.8% Pacific peoples, 3.0% Asian, and 1.2% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 9.9, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 53.2% had no religion, 27.7% were Christian, 8.1% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.4% were Hindu, 0.2% were Muslim, 0.6% were Buddhist and 1.4% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 204 (16.3%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 270 (21.6%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $28,900, compared with $31,800 nationally. 186 people (14.9%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 576 (46.0%) people were employed full-time, 195 (15.6%) were part-time, and 69 (5.5%) were unemployed.[12]
Education
Waiotahe Valley School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students,[13] with a roll of 105 as of April 2023.[14] The school opened in 1921.[15]
Notable people
Kayaker 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.[16]
References
- "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
- "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. 7015420.
- "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.
- "Population estimate tables - NZ.Stat". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
- "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Waiotahi (204100). 2018 Census place summary: Waiotahi
- "Waiotahe Valley School Ministry of Education School Profile". educationcounts.govt.nz. Ministry of Education.
- "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. 1 News.