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
Te Ara Ki Te Rawhiti - The pathway to the sunrise
Coordinates: 37.993°S 177.241°E / -37.993; 177.241
CountryNew Zealand
RegionBay of Plenty
Territorial authorityŌpōtiki District
WardWaioeka-Waiōtahe-Otara Ward
Electorates
Government
  Territorial authorityŌpōtiki District Council
  Regional councilBay of Plenty Regional Council
Area
  Total7.90 km2 (3.05 sq mi)
Population
 (2018 Census)[2]
  Total318
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.

Historical population for Waiotahe settlement and surrounds
YearPop.±% p.a.
2006156    
2013210+4.34%
2018318+8.65%
Source: [2]
Waiotahe Beach

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.

Historical population for Waiotahi statistical area
YearPop.±% p.a.
20061,368    
20131,368+0.00%
20181,518+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

  1. "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
  2. "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. 7015420.
  3. "Waiotahi Beach". finabeach.co.nz. Surf Life Saving New Zealand.
  4. Staff reporter (26 December 2019). "Stick to the rules if driving on the beach". Sun Media. Sun Live.
  5. Hutt, Kendall (8 January 2020). "Explainer: Where can you drive your car on the beach?". stuff.co.nz.
  6. Gullier, Aimee (28 August 2015). "'Waiotahi' corrected to 'Waiotahe'". stuff.co.nz.
  7. Wall, Tony (14 July 2013). "Captive offered to help shootout victim". stuff.co.nz. Sunday Star Times.
  8. Kirk, Stacey (8 July 2013). "Police shoot ex-soldier dead after chase". stuff.co.nz.
  9. Kidd, Rob (9 July 2013). "Rampaging ex-soldier 'didn't kill himself'". stuff.co.nz. Nelson Mail.
  10. Staff reporter (24 January 2020). "First case of Mycoplasma bovis confirmed in the Bay of Plenty". New Zealand Media and Entertainment. Rotorua Daily Post.
  11. "Population estimate tables - NZ.Stat". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
  12. "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Waiotahi (204100). 2018 Census place summary: Waiotahi
  13. "Waiotahe Valley School Ministry of Education School Profile". educationcounts.govt.nz. Ministry of Education.
  14. "Waiotahe Valley School Education Review Office Report". ero.govt.nz. Education Review Office.
  15. Shanks, Katee (31 December 2020). "Waiotahe Valley School Centenary approaching". News Whakatane.
  16. Staff reporter (28 November 2019). "Lisa Carrington cherishing time in hometown ahead of massive year on the water". Television New Zealand. 1 News.
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