Wharekahika
The area is named after Zachary Hickes, second-in-command of James Cook's Endeavour, which sailed along the East Cape on 31 October 1769. On 10 June 2019, the name of the bay was officially changed to Wharekahika / Hicks Bay.
Demographics
Statistics New Zealand describes Hicks Bay as a rural settlement, which covers 1.28 km (0.49 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 190 as of June 2023, with a population density of 148 people per km. It is part of the wider East Cape statistical area.
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 147 | — |
| 2013 | 153 | +0.57% |
| 2018 | 162 | +1.15% |
| Source: | ||
Hicks Bay had a population of 162 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 9 people (5.9%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 15 people (10.2%) since the 2006 census. There were 54 households, comprising 75 males and 87 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.86 males per female. The median age was 26.6 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 57 people (35.2%) aged under 15 years, 30 (18.5%) aged 15 to 29, 57 (35.2%) aged 30 to 64, and 18 (11.1%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 14.8% European/Pākehā, 96.3% Māori, and 1.9% Pacific peoples. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 50.0% had no religion, 37.0% were Christian, 1.9% had Māori religious beliefs and 1.9% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 15 (14.3%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 27 (25.7%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $20,000, compared with $31,800 nationally. 9 people (8.6%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 39 (37.1%) people were employed full-time, 15 (14.3%) were part-time, and 9 (8.6%) were unemployed.
Climate
Hicks Bay experiences a mild, temperate climate, with warm summers and mild winters. The area is known for its frequent rainfall, which helps to keep the landscape lush and green throughout the year.
| Climate data for Hicks Bay, elevation 607 m (1,991 ft), (1991–2020) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 22.0 (71.6) |
22.6 (72.7) |
21.4 (70.5) |
19.5 (67.1) |
17.3 (63.1) |
15.3 (59.5) |
14.4 (57.9) |
14.8 (58.6) |
15.8 (60.4) |
17.1 (62.8) |
18.4 (65.1) |
20.4 (68.7) |
18.3 (64.8) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 18.8 (65.8) |
19.4 (66.9) |
18.2 (64.8) |
16.3 (61.3) |
14.2 (57.6) |
12.1 (53.8) |
11.4 (52.5) |
11.6 (52.9) |
12.7 (54.9) |
13.9 (57.0) |
15.2 (59.4) |
17.3 (63.1) |
15.1 (59.2) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 15.5 (59.9) |
16.2 (61.2) |
14.9 (58.8) |
13.0 (55.4) |
11.1 (52.0) |
9.0 (48.2) |
8.4 (47.1) |
8.4 (47.1) |
9.6 (49.3) |
10.8 (51.4) |
12.0 (53.6) |
14.2 (57.6) |
11.9 (53.5) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 79.2 (3.12) |
100.2 (3.94) |
106.1 (4.18) |
101.0 (3.98) |
140.2 (5.52) |
168.2 (6.62) |
160.0 (6.30) |
137.2 (5.40) |
99.5 (3.92) |
99.8 (3.93) |
77.4 (3.05) |
102.5 (4.04) |
1,371.3 (54) |
| Source: NIWA | |||||||||||||
Marae
The local Hinemaurea ki Wharekahika Marae is a meeting place for the Ngāti Porou hapū of Ngāti Tuere, Te Whānau a Te Aotakī and Te Whānau a Tuwhakairiora. It includes the Tūwhakairiora meeting house.
In October 2020, the Government committed $520,760 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade Hinemaurea ki Wharekahika Marae and Pōtaka Marae, creating 12 jobs.
Education
Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Kawakawa Mai Tawhiti is a Year 1–13 Māori language immersion school. It had a roll of 119 as of February 2024.