Peka Peka
Peka Peka was briefly internationally famous when a young emperor penguin, nicknamed Happy Feet, appeared on Peka Peka beach on 21 June 2011. Emperor penguins are usually only found in the Antarctic.
Peka Peka Beach is a clothing-optional beach by custom. New Zealand has no official nude beaches, as public nudity is legal on any beach where it is "known to occur".
Demographics
Peka Peka statistical area covers 10.02 km (3.87 sq mi). It had an estimated population of 700 as of June 2023, with a population density of 69.86 people per km.
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 357 | — |
| 2013 | 504 | +5.05% |
| 2018 | 612 | +3.96% |
| Source: | ||
Peka Peka had a population of 612 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 108 people (21.4%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 255 people (71.4%) since the 2006 census. There were 246 households, comprising 303 males and 309 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.98 males per female. The median age was 52.1 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 99 people (16.2%) aged under 15 years, 66 (10.8%) aged 15 to 29, 300 (49.0%) aged 30 to 64, and 144 (23.5%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 93.1% European/Pākehā, 6.4% Māori, 2.0% Pasifika, 3.4% Asian, and 3.4% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 24.0, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 58.8% had no religion, 31.4% were Christian, 0.5% were Hindu, 1.0% were Muslim, 1.0% were Buddhist and 2.0% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 168 (32.7%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 54 (10.5%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $42,500, compared with $31,800 nationally. 159 people (31.0%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 219 (42.7%) people were employed full-time, 99 (19.3%) were part-time, and 15 (2.9%) were unemployed.
The demographics for Peka Peka are also incorporated in Waikanae#Demographics.