| Waiinu Beach | |
| Area Total Km2: | 0.25 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | New Zealand |
| Subdivision Type1: | Region |
| Subdivision Name1: | Taranaki Region |
| Subdivision Type2: | Territorial authority |
| Subdivision Name2: | South Taranaki District |
| Subdivision Type3: | Ward |
| Subdivision Type4: | Community |
| Subdivision Name4: | Pātea Community |
| Seat Type: | Electorates |
| Leader Title: | Territorial Authority |
| Leader Name: | South Taranaki District Council |
| Leader Title1: | Regional council |
| Leader Name1: | Taranaki Regional Council |
| Coordinates: | -39.864°N 174.747°W |
Waiinu Beach is a settlement on the South Taranaki Bight in South Taranaki, New Zealand. Waverley is 18.5 km to the north-west by road, and Whanganui is 42 km to the south-east.[1]
Road access to Waiinu Beach is by a single road to Waitōtara. The road has been closed four times in 26 years, due to flooding at the bridge over the Waitōtara River. To improve access, work began on an extension to Nukumaru Station Road in July 2021.[2] The work uncovered several pre-colonial Māori storage pits.[3]
The settlement contains a campground.[4]
Waiinu Beach is defined by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement. It covers 0.25km2[5] and had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km2. It is part of the wider Manutahi-Waitotora statistical area.
Waiinu Beach had a population of 81 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 12 people (17.4%) since the 2013 census, and a decrease of 12 people (−12.9%) since the 2006 census. There were 39 households, comprising 42 males and 39 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.08 males per female. The median age was 61.3 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 9 people (11.1%) aged under 15 years, 6 (7.4%) aged 15 to 29, 33 (40.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 33 (40.7%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 81.5% European/Pākehā, 29.6% Māori, and 3.7% Pacific peoples. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 48.1% had no religion, and 40.7% were Christian.
Of those at least 15 years old, 3 (4.2%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 27 (37.5%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $22,000, compared with $31,800 nationally. 6 people (8.3%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 21 (29.2%) people were employed full-time, and 12 (16.7%) were part-time.