Tamahere is a locality (located on a semi-rural ward that bears the same name) within Waikato District, New Zealand; on the outskirts of Hamilton. The majority of the Ward is zoned as Country Living, with a minimum lot size of 0.5ha. The landscape is dominated by several large gully systems that contribute to the Waikato River.

Communities

Alongside the village proper, the ward of Tamahere also includes the locality of The Narrows. In 2019, a new recreational reserve (Tamahere Park) was opened and includes sports fields for cricket, rugby, junior soccer and La Crosse. Destination playground and skate-park were jointly funded by community funds and Waikato District Council. A commercial hub was also added, due to be completed in 2020, including a 4 Square supermarket, a medical centre, a pharmacy, and a bakery, Waikato council office and serviced offices.

Demographics

Tamahere covers 57.51 km (22.20 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 6,890 as of June 2023, with a population density of 120 people per km.

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
2006	4,029	—
2013	4,962	+3.02%
2018	6,126	+4.30%
Source:

Tamahere had a population of 6,126 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 1,164 people (23.5%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 2,097 people (52.0%) since the 2006 census. There were 1,977 households, comprising 2,982 males and 3,144 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.95 males per female, with 1,314 people (21.4%) aged under 15 years, 912 (14.9%) aged 15 to 29, 2,832 (46.2%) aged 30 to 64, and 1,065 (17.4%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 87.9% European/Pākehā, 8.5% Māori, 1.1% Pacific peoples, 8.4% Asian, and 2.2% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 20.8, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 48.0% had no religion, 42.4% were Christian, 0.2% had Māori religious beliefs, 1.1% were Hindu, 0.5% were Muslim, 0.5% were Buddhist and 1.8% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 1,668 (34.7%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 540 (11.2%) people had no formal qualifications. 1,566 people (32.5%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 2,391 (49.7%) people were employed full-time, 813 (16.9%) were part-time, and 90 (1.9%) were unemployed.

Individual statistical areas

Name	Area (km)	Population	Density (per km)	Households	Median age	Median income
Tamahere North	18.67	4,152	222	1,299	44.2 years	$41,600
Tamahere South	38.84	1,974	51	678	44.4 years	$44,700
New Zealand					37.4 years	$31,800

Tamahere coolstore explosion

On 5 April 2008 a coolstore caught fire and one fireman was killed and seven injured, when 400 kg (880 lb) of a propane and ethane refrigerant exploded. The site is being developed in to housing.

Education

The Tamahere Model Country School is a state primary school for Year 1 to 6 students, with a roll of 372.

Hamilton Seventh-day Adventist School is a state-integrated Seventh-day Adventist Year 1-8 primary school, with a roll of 84.

Waikato Montessori Education Centre is private Montessori Year 1-8 primary school, with a roll of 52.

All these schools are co-educational. Rolls are as of February 2024.

Tamahere also has three pre-schools.