Ōwhata is a semi-rural suburb of Rotorua in the Bay of Plenty region of New Zealand's North Island.

Ōwhata
Map
Coordinates: 38°08′02″S 176°17′46″E / 38.134°S 176.296°E / -38.134; 176.296
CountryNew Zealand
CityRotorua
Local authorityRotorua Lakes Council
Electoral wardTe Ipu Wai Auraki General Ward
Area
 • Land584 ha (1,443 acres)
Population
 (June 2024)[2]
 • Total
6,720
(Lake Rotorua) Holdens Bay
(Ōwhatiura Bay)
Ōwhata
Ngāpuna Lynmore

In 2015, it had the highest house sales of any suburb in Rotorua.[3]

The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "place of the elevated stage" for Ōwhata.[4]

Marae

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The local Ōwhata or Hinemoa Marae and is a meeting place for the Ngāti Whakaue hapū of Ngāti Korouateka and Ngāti te Roro o te Rangi.[5] It includes the Tūtanekai meeting house.[6]

In October 2020, the Government committed $4,525,104 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade the marae and nine others, creating an estimated 34 jobs.[7]

Demographics

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Ōwhata covers 5.84 km2 (2.25 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 6,720 as of June 2024,[2] with a population density of 1,151 people per km2.

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
20065,439—    
20135,496+0.15%
20186,216+2.49%
Source: [8]

Before the 2023 census, the suburb had a smaller boundary, covering 4.75 km2 (1.83 sq mi).[1] Using that boundary, Ōwhata had a population of 6,216 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 720 people (13.1%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 777 people (14.3%) since the 2006 census. There were 2,022 households, comprising 2,991 males and 3,225 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.93 males per female, with 1,575 people (25.3%) aged under 15 years, 1,128 (18.1%) aged 15 to 29, 2,580 (41.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 933 (15.0%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 62.0% European/Pākehā, 45.9% Māori, 5.3% Pacific peoples, 7.3% Asian, and 1.7% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 15.0, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 51.9% had no religion, 33.3% were Christian, 3.0% had Māori religious beliefs, 1.6% were Hindu, 0.3% were Muslim, 0.5% were Buddhist and 1.8% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 699 (15.1%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 945 (20.4%) people had no formal qualifications. 519 people (11.2%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 2,208 (47.6%) people were employed full-time, 678 (14.6%) were part-time, and 264 (5.7%) were unemployed.[8]

Individual statistical areas in 2018
Name Area
(km2)
Population Density
(per km2)
Households Median age Median
income
Ōwhata West 3.33 3,147 945 1,011 32.4 years $26,600[9]
Ōwhata East 1.42 3,069 2,161 1,011 37.2 years $28,000[10]
New Zealand 37.4 years $31,800

Education

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Owhata School is a coeducational primary school for year 1–6 students[11][12] with a roll of 237.[13]

Mokoia Intermediate is a co-educational state intermediate school,[14][15] with a roll of 347.[16]

Rotorua Lakes High School is a co-educational state secondary school,[17][18] with a roll of 736.[19]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  3. ^ Arthur-Worsop, Stephanie (14 November 2015). "Owhata city's top-selling suburb". New Zealand Media and Entertainment. Rotorua Daily Post.
  4. ^ "1000 Māori place names". New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage. 6 August 2019.
  5. ^ "Te Kāhui Māngai directory". tkm.govt.nz. Te Puni Kōkiri.
  6. ^ "Māori Maps". maorimaps.com. Te Potiki National Trust.
  7. ^ "Marae Announcements" (Excel). growregions.govt.nz. Provincial Growth Fund. 9 October 2020.
  8. ^ a b "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Owhata West (200900) and Owhata East (201400).
  9. ^ 2018 Census place summary: Owhata West
  10. ^ 2018 Census place summary: Owhata East
  11. ^ "Owhata School Official School Website". owhata.school.nz.
  12. ^ "Owhata School Ministry of Education School Profile". educationcounts.govt.nz. Ministry of Education.
  13. ^ "Owhata School Education Review Office Report". ero.govt.nz. Education Review Office.
  14. ^ "Mokoia Intermediate Official School Website". mokoia.school.nz.
  15. ^ "Mokoia Intermediate Ministry of Education School Profile". educationcounts.govt.nz. Ministry of Education.
  16. ^ "Mokoia Intermediate Education Review Office Report". ero.govt.nz. Education Review Office.
  17. ^ "Rotorua Lakes High School Official School Website". rotorualakes.school.nz.
  18. ^ "Rotorua Lakes High School Ministry of Education School Profile". educationcounts.govt.nz. Ministry of Education.
  19. ^ "Rotorua Lakes High School Education Review Office Report". ero.govt.nz. Education Review Office.