| Whareama | |
| Settlement Type: | Locality |
| Coordinates: | -40.858°N 176.034°W |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | New Zealand |
| Subdivision Type1: | Region |
| Subdivision Type2: | Territorial authority |
| Subdivision Name2: | Masterton District |
| Subdivision Type3: | Ward |
| Seat Type: | Electorates |
| Leader Title: | Territorial Authority |
| Leader Name: | Masterton District Council |
| Leader Title1: | Regional council |
| Leader Name1: | Greater Wellington Regional Council |
| Leader Title2: | Mayor of Masterton |
| Leader Title3: | Wairarapa MP |
| Leader Title4: | Ikaroa-Rāwhiti MP |
| Area Total Km2: | 1596.08 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
Whareama is a rural area in the Wellington Region of New Zealand's North Island. The Whareama River flows through the area.
The community has two marae affiliated with the Ngāti Kahungunu hapū of Ngāi Tumapuhia-a-Rangi: Motuwairaka Marae, which lost its meeting house to fire in 2017, and Ngāi Tumapuhia a Rangi ki Okautete Marae, which is still constructing its meeting house by 2020.[1] [2]
In October 2020, the Government committed $2,179,654 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade both marae, alongside Pāpāwai, Kohunui, Hurunui o Rangi and Te Oreore marae. Together, the upgrades were expected to create 19.8 full time jobs.[3]
Whareama statistical area covers 1596.08km2[4] and also includes Bideford, Castlepoint, Riversdale Beach, Tauweru, Tīnui and Wainuioru. It had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km2.
Whareama had a population of 1,410 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 129 people (10.1%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 120 people (9.3%) since the 2006 census. There were 555 households, comprising 729 males and 681 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.07 males per female. The median age was 43.6 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 291 people (20.6%) aged under 15 years, 204 (14.5%) aged 15 to 29, 726 (51.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 189 (13.4%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 93.0% European/Pākehā, 17.4% Māori, 1.7% Pasifika, 0.6% Asian, and 1.1% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 10.0, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 56.0% had no religion, 35.5% were Christian, 1.1% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.2% were Buddhist and 0.9% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 192 (17.2%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 204 (18.2%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $34,000, compared with $31,800 nationally. 153 people (13.7%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 612 (54.7%) people were employed full-time, 231 (20.6%) were part-time, and 30 (2.7%) were unemployed.
Whareama School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students,[5] [6] with a roll of as of .[7]