Waiotahe Explained

Waiotahi
Settlement Type:Rural settlement
Coordinates:-37.993°N 177.241°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:New Zealand
Subdivision Type1:Region
Subdivision Name1:Bay of Plenty
Subdivision Type2:Territorial authority
Subdivision Name2:Ōpōtiki District
Subdivision Type3:Ward
Subdivision Name3:Waioeka-Waiōtahe-Otara Ward
Leader Title:Territorial authority
Leader Name:Ōpōtiki District Council
Leader Title1:Regional council
Leader Name1:Bay of Plenty Regional Council
Seat Type:Electorates
Area Total Km2:7.90
Population As Of:2018 Census
Population Total:318
Postal Code Type:Postcode(s)
Postal Code:3198

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.

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.[1]

Ōpōtiki District Council has banned vehicles from the mudflats of the Waiotahe estuary and a section of Waiotahe Beach.[2] The council allows vehicles at other beaches, unlike most other New Zealand councils.[3]

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.[4]

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.[5] The perpetrator fled the scene in their ute and was shot dead by police in Auckland.[6] The couple were hospitalised for injuries to their hands and reported being traumatised by their ordeal.[7]

The first case of Mycoplasma bovis in Bay of Plenty was recorded in a farm in Waiotahe in January 2020.[8]

Demographics

Waiotahe is in an SA1 statistical area which covers 7.9km2.[9] The SA1 area is part of the Waiotahi statistical area.

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.

Waiotahe statistical area

Waiotahe statistical area, which also includes Ōhiwa, covers 143.25km2[9] and had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km2.

Before the 2023 census, the statistical area was called Waiotahi and had a smaller boundary, covering 141.78km2.[9] Using that boundary, 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.

Education

Waiotahe Valley School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students,[10] with a roll of as of .[11] The school opened in 1921.[12]

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.[13]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Waiotahi Beach . finabeach.co.nz . Surf Life Saving New Zealand.
  2. News: Staff reporter . Stick to the rules if driving on the beach . Sun Live . Sun Media . 26 December 2019.
  3. News: Hutt . Kendall . Explainer: Where can you drive your car on the beach? . . 8 January 2020.
  4. News: Gullier . Aimee . 'Waiotahi' corrected to 'Waiotahe' . . 28 August 2015.
  5. News: Wall . Tony . Captive offered to help shootout victim . . . 14 July 2013.
  6. News: Kirk . Stacey . Police shoot ex-soldier dead after chase . . 8 July 2013.
  7. News: Kidd . Rob . Rampaging ex-soldier 'didn't kill himself' . . . 9 July 2013.
  8. News: Staff reporter . First case of Mycoplasma bovis confirmed in the Bay of Plenty . . . 24 January 2020.
  9. Web site: ArcGIS Web Application. 21 April 2024. statsnz.maps.arcgis.com.
  10. Web site: Waiotahe Valley School Ministry of Education School Profile . educationcounts.govt.nz . Ministry of Education.
  11. Web site: Waiotahe Valley School Education Review Office Report . ero.govt.nz . Education Review Office.
  12. News: Waiotahe Valley School Centenary approaching. 31 December 2020. News Whakatane. Katee. Shanks.
  13. News: Staff reporter . Lisa Carrington cherishing time in hometown ahead of massive year on the water . . . 28 November 2019.