Ōmiha Explained

Official Name:Ōmiha
Area Total Km2:0.71
Population Density Km2:auto
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:New Zealand
Subdivision Type1:Region
Subdivision Name1:Auckland Region
Subdivision Type2:Ward
Subdivision Name2:Waitematā and Gulf ward
Subdivision Type3:Community board
Subdivision Name3:Waiheke Local Board
Leader Title:Territorial Authority
Leader Name:Auckland Council
Seat Type:Electorates
Coordinates:-36.816°N 175.057°W

Ōmiha is a rural settlement on the southwest coast of Waiheke Island in the Auckland Region of New Zealand.[1] The settlement began when the O'Brien brothers subdivided their farm in 1922, naming it "Omiha Beach Estate". The area is also known as Rocky Bay from the bay to the south.[2] A proposal that the name change to Rocky Bay in 2017 met strong opposition[3] and was rejected.[4] The name Ōmiha, with the macron, became official in 2018.[5]

Demographics

Statistics New Zealand describes Ōmiha as a rural settlement, which covers 0.71km2[6] and had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km2. Ōmiha is part of the larger Waiheke East statistical area.

Before the 2023 census, the settlement had a smaller boundary, covering 0.63km2.[6] Using that boundary, Ōmiha had a population of 492 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 108 people (28.1%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 150 people (43.9%) since the 2006 census. There were 207 households, comprising 225 males and 261 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.86 males per female, with 72 people (14.6%) aged under 15 years, 60 (12.2%) aged 15 to 29, 243 (49.4%) aged 30 to 64, and 114 (23.2%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 88.4% European/Pākehā, 11.6% Māori, 9.1% Pacific peoples, 3.7% Asian, and 3.7% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 65.9% had no religion, 20.1% were Christian, 0.6% were Hindu, 1.2% were Buddhist and 2.4% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 144 (34.3%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 63 (15.0%) people had no formal qualifications. 75 people (17.9%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 180 (42.9%) people were employed full-time, 63 (15.0%) were part-time, and 6 (1.4%) were unemployed.

Notes and References

  1. Omiha, Auckland. NZ Topo Map. Gavin. Harriss. March 2022.
  2. Book: Discover New Zealand:A Wises Guide. 9th. 1994. 49.
  3. News: Strong opposition to te reo Maori to English name change for Omiha on Waiheke Island. New Zealand Herald. 20 July 2017. Ben. Hill.
  4. News: Waiheke Island village keeps its Māori name. Stuff. 20 January 2018. Rose. Davis.
  5. Web site: Ōmiha. Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand. 31 July 2022.
  6. Web site: ArcGIS Web Application. 3 May 2024. statsnz.maps.arcgis.com.