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.[3][4]

Waitōtara
Map
Coordinates: 39°48′21″S 174°44′4″E / 39.80583°S 174.73444°E / -39.80583; 174.73444
CountryNew Zealand
RegionTaranaki Region
Territorial authoritySouth Taranaki District
Ward
  • Pātea General Ward
  • Te Tai Tonga Māori Ward
CommunityPātea Community
Electorates
Government
 • Territorial AuthoritySouth Taranaki District Council
 • Regional councilTaranaki Regional Council
Area
 • Total
0.25 km2 (0.10 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2024)[2]
 • Total
80
 • Density320/km2 (830/sq mi)

More than 30 homes were evacuated during flooding in February 2004.[5]

A local freezing works is a major employer.[6]

Demographics

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Waitōtara is defined by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement. It covers 0.25 km2 (0.097 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 80 as of June 2024,[2] with a population density of 320 people per km2. It is part of the wider Manutahi-Waitotora statistical area.[7]

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
200666—    
201366+0.00%
201872+1.76%
Source: [8]
 
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.[8]

Marae

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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.[9][10]

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.[11]

Education

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Waitotara School is a coeducational full primary (years 1–8) school with a roll of 32 students as of August 2024.[12][13] The school was founded in 1874.[14]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  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. ^ a b "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 17 September 2024.
  13. ^ Education Counts: Waitotara School
  14. ^ "Welcome to Waitotara School". Waitotara School.