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  • 21 Aug, 2019

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Waitōtara

Waitōtara is a town in South Taranaki, New Zealand. Waverley is 10 km to the north-west, and Whanganui is 34 km to the south-east. State Highway 3 passes through it. The Waitōtara River flows past the east side of the town.

More than 30 homes were evacuated during flooding in February 2004.

A local freezing works is a major employer.

Demographics

Waitōtara is defined by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement. It covers 0.25 km (0.097 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 70 as of June 2023, with a population density of 280 people per km. It is part of the wider Manutahi-Waitotora statistical area.

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
200666—    
201366+0.00%
201872+1.76%
Source:
Site of the Waitōtara Redoubt, built during the Second Taranaki War (shown in 1948).

Waitōtara had a population of 72 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 6 people (9.1%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 6 people (9.1%) since the 2006 census. There were 39 households, comprising 42 males and 30 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.4 males per female. The median age was 54.1 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 12 people (16.7%) aged under 15 years, 6 (8.3%) aged 15 to 29, 33 (45.8%) aged 30 to 64, and 21 (29.2%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 70.8% European/Pākehā, and 33.3% Māori. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 58.3% had no religion, 29.2% were Christian, and 4.2% had Māori religious beliefs.

Of those at least 15 years old, 24 (40.0%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $23,500, compared with $31,800 nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 24 (40.0%) people were employed full-time, 9 (15.0%) were part-time, and 6 (10.0%) were unemployed.

Marae

Waitōtara has marae associated with the hapū of Ngā Rauru Kītahi:

  • Te Ihupuku Marae and Te Kawerau and Karepoonia are affiliated with Ngāti Hinewaiata.
  • Kaipō or Wharetapapa Marae and its Tokanuhea III meeting house are affiliated with Ngāti Hou Tipua.
  • Takirau Marae and Ko Te Marunga Nui o Pourua meeting house are affiliated with Ngāti Pourua.
  • Tauranga Ika Marae and Te Aputa ki Wairau meeting house are affiliated with Ngāti Ruaiti.
  • Waipapa Marae and Ngā Paiaka meeting house are affiliated with Ngā Ariki.

In October 2020, the Government committed $522,926 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade Te Ihupuku Marae, Waipapa Marae and Te Aroha Marae, creating 92 jobs.

Education

Waitotara School is a coeducational full primary (years 1–8) school with a roll of 34 students as of February 2024. The school was founded in 1874.

See also

References

  1. ^ "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  2. ^ "Subnational population estimates (RC, SA2), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023. (regional councils); "Subnational population estimates (TA, SA2), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023. (territorial authorities); "Subnational population estimates (urban rural), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023. (urban areas)
  3. ^ Peter Dowling, ed. (2004). Reed New Zealand Atlas. Reed Books. pp. map 44. ISBN 0-7900-0952-8.
  4. ^ Roger Smith, GeographX (2005). The Geographic Atlas of New Zealand. Robbie Burton. pp. map 104. ISBN 1-877333-20-4.
  5. ^ "Cyclone set to miss NZ but heavy rain coming". The New Zealand Herald. 26 February 2004.
  6. ^ Maslin, John (15 May 2008). "Dannevirke works closure could mean expansion at Waitotara". Wanganui Chronicle.
  7. ^ 2018 Census place summary: Manutahi-Waitotora
  8. ^ "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. 7017544.
  9. ^ "Te Kāhui Māngai directory". tkm.govt.nz. Te Puni Kōkiri.
  10. ^ "Māori Maps". maorimaps.com. Te Potiki National Trust.
  11. ^ "Marae Announcements" (Excel). growregions.govt.nz. Provincial Growth Fund. 9 October 2020.
  12. ^ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  13. ^ Education Counts: Waitotara School
  14. ^ "Welcome to Waitotara School". Waitotara School.