Motuwairaka
Marae
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.
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.
Demographics
Whareama statistical area covers 1,596.08 km (616.25 sq mi) and also includes Bideford, Castlepoint, Riversdale Beach, Tauweru, Tīnui and Wainuioru. It had an estimated population of 1,660 as of June 2024, with a population density of 1.04 people per km.
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 1,290 | — |
| 2013 | 1,281 | −0.10% |
| 2018 | 1,410 | +1.94% |
| Source: | ||
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.
Education
Whareama School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students, with a roll of 46 as of August 2024.
References
- ^ "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
- ^ "Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
- ^ "Place name detail: Whareama River". New Zealand Gazetteer. New Zealand Geographic Board. Retrieved 12 July 2009.
- ^ "Te Kāhui Māngai directory". tkm.govt.nz. Te Puni Kōkiri.
- ^ "Māori Maps". maorimaps.com. Te Potiki National Trust.
- ^ "Marae Announcements" (Excel). growregions.govt.nz. Provincial Growth Fund. 9 October 2020.
- ^ "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Whareama (256500). 2018 Census place summary: Whareama
- ^ "Whareama School Official School Website". whareama.school.nz.
- ^ "Whareama School Ministry of Education School Profile". educationcounts.govt.nz. Ministry of Education.
- ^ "Whareama School Education Review Office Report". ero.govt.nz. Education Review Office.