Tai Tapu, previously known as Taitapu, is a small town adjacent to the Halswell River and nestled in the Port Hills, located 6 km east of the town of Lincoln and 18 km south west of Christchurch in the Canterbury region of New Zealand's South Island. State Highway 75 passes through the centre of the village, connecting Christchurch with Akaroa and the Banks Peninsula.

Tai Tapu
St Paul's church, Tai Tapu
St Paul's church, Tai Tapu
Map
Coordinates: 43°40′12″S 172°33′0″E / 43.67000°S 172.55000°E / -43.67000; 172.55000
CountryNew Zealand
IslandSouth Island
RegionCanterbury
Territorial authoritySelwyn District
WardSprings
Electorates
Government
 • Territorial authoritySelwyn District Council
 • Regional councilEnvironment Canterbury
 • Mayor of SelwynSam Broughton
 • Selwyn MPNicola Grigg
 • Te Tai Tonga MPTākuta Ferris
Area
 • Total2.42 km2 (0.93 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2024)[2]
 • Total710
 • Density290/km2 (760/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+12 (NZST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+13 (NZDT)
Local iwiNgāi Tahu

The Tai Tapu Hotel was established in 1856 and is located 1 km north of the town centre on a scenic country road. It has a large outdoor dining area that looks over the Halswell River with views to the Tai Tapu Golf Course.

Etymology

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The name Tai Tapu is derived from the Māori words wai tapu, which means sacred or solemn water.[3]

The village was previously known as Taitapu, until an official name change in 2009.[4]

The village is often colloquially referred to as 'Tai Tap' by locals.[5]

Demographics

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Tai Tapu is described by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement. It covers 2.42 km2 (0.93 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 710 as of June 2024,[2] with a population density of 293 people per km2. Tai Tapu is part of the larger Tai Tapu statistical area.[6]

Historical population for the settlement
YearPop.±% p.a.
2006336—    
2013471+4.94%
2018540+2.77%
Source: [7]

The settlement had a population of 540 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 69 people (14.6%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 204 people (60.7%) since the 2006 census. There were 171 households, comprising 276 males and 267 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.03 males per female, with 141 people (26.1%) aged under 15 years, 60 (11.1%) aged 15 to 29, 270 (50.0%) aged 30 to 64, and 66 (12.2%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 96.1% European/Pākehā, 9.4% Māori, 1.1% Pasifika, 0.6% Asian, and 1.1% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 60.6% had no religion, 31.7% were Christian, 0.6% were Buddhist and 1.1% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 117 (29.3%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 48 (12.0%) people had no formal qualifications. 126 people (31.6%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 225 (56.4%) people were employed full-time, 81 (20.3%) were part-time, and 3 (0.8%) were unemployed.[7]

Tai Tapu statistical area

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Tai Tapu statistical area includes the settlement and a larger area to the east. It covers 56.80 km2 (21.93 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 1,410 as of June 2024,[8] with a population density of 24.8 people per km2.

Historical population for the statistical area
YearPop.±% p.a.
2006762—    
2013948+3.17%
20181,173+4.35%
Source: [9]

The statistical area had a population of 1,173 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 225 people (23.7%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 411 people (53.9%) since the 2006 census. There were 384 households, comprising 606 males and 570 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.06 males per female. The median age was 42.9 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 291 people (24.8%) aged under 15 years, 147 (12.5%) aged 15 to 29, 567 (48.3%) aged 30 to 64, and 165 (14.1%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 96.9% European/Pākehā, 7.2% Māori, 0.3% Pasifika, 1.0% Asian, and 1.5% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 16.9, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 57.3% had no religion, 34.5% were Christian, 0.3% were Muslim, 0.3% were Buddhist and 1.3% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 276 (31.3%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 102 (11.6%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $47,500, compared with $31,800 nationally. 282 people (32.0%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 474 (53.7%) people were employed full-time, 171 (19.4%) were part-time, and 15 (1.7%) were unemployed.[9]

Education

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Tai Tapu School is a full primary school catering for years 1 to 8.[10] It had a roll of 257 as of August 2024.[11] The school opened in 1876.[12]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  3. ^ "Tai Tapu". Victoria University of Wellington. Retrieved 5 January 2012.
  4. ^ "Tai Tapu | NZHistory, New Zealand history online". nzhistory.govt.nz. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  5. ^ "Leeston on high alert after flooding". Newshub. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
  6. ^ 2018 Census place summary: Tai Tapu
  7. ^ a b "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. 7026976, 7026977 and 7026978.
  8. ^ "Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  9. ^ a b "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Tai Tapu (336300). 2018 Census place summary: Tai Tapu
  10. ^ Education Counts: Tai Tapu School
  11. ^ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  12. ^ "Welcome to Tai Tapu Primary School". Tai Tapu School. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
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