Waimārama

Waimārama is a seaside village in Hastings District, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand.

Waimārama
Waimārama from the hills above, with Bare Island to the left
Coordinates: 39°48′58″S 176°59′24″E
Country	New Zealand
Region	Hawke's Bay
Territorial authority	Hastings District
Ward	Kahurānaki General Ward Takitimu Māori Ward
Electorates	Tukituki Ikaroa-Rāwhiti (Māori)
Government
• Territorial Authority	Hastings District Council
• Regional council	Hawke's Bay Regional Council
Area
• Total	1.63 km2 (0.63 sq mi)
Population  (June 2024)
• Total	240
• Density	150/km2 (380/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4294

Waimārama is a popular surf beach, known as a beach break on a sandy beach, with a rocky point. It offers both left and right handers and conditions are often suitable for surfers of all levels. The beach has strong rip currents, and is patrolled by surf lifeguards at weekends from November to March.

Motu-o-Kura or Bare Island is located just off the coast and is a popular spot for fishing and diving. The beach town attracts people from across the region, with a restaurant, bar and shop. It also has about 240 permanent residents, with many former holiday baches becoming homes.

On 28 April 2011, heavy rain hit the village, causing floods and mudslides.

Demographics

Statistics New Zealand describes Waimārama as a rural settlement, which covers 1.63 km² (0.63 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 240 as of June 2024, with a population density of 147 people per km². It is part of the larger Kahuranaki statistical area.

Historical population for Waimārama

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
2006	222	—
2013	183	−2.72%
2018	216	+3.37%
Source:

Waimārama had a population of 216 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 33 people (18.0%) since the 2013 census, and a decrease of 6 people (−2.7%) since the 2006 census. There were 84 households, comprising 111 males and 105 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.06 males per female. The median age was 52.6 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 36 people (16.7%) aged under 15 years, 30 (13.9%) aged 15 to 29, 105 (48.6%) aged 30 to 64, and 48 (22.2%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 80.6% European/Pākehā, 30.6% Māori, 2.8% Pacific peoples, 1.4% Asian, and 1.4% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 44.4% had no religion, 44.4% were Christian, 2.8% had Māori religious beliefs and 1.4% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 27 (15.0%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 33 (18.3%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $33,100, compared with $31,800 nationally. 27 people (15.0%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 87 (48.3%) people were employed full-time, 30 (16.7%) were part-time, and 3 (1.7%) were unemployed.

Kahuranaki statistical area

Kahuranaki statistical area covers 372.64 km² (143.88 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 1,730 as of June 2024, with a population density of 4.6 people per km².

Historical population for Kahuranaki

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
2006	1,104	—
2013	1,173	+0.87%
2018	1,413	+3.79%
Source:

Before the 2023 census, Kahuranaki had a smaller boundary, covering 367.96 km² (142.07 sq mi). Using that boundary, Kahuranaki had a population of 1,413 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 240 people (20.5%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 309 people (28.0%) since the 2006 census. There were 495 households, comprising 711 males and 702 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.01 males per female. The median age was 44.4 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 285 people (20.2%) aged under 15 years, 207 (14.6%) aged 15 to 29, 720 (51.0%) aged 30 to 64, and 195 (13.8%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 87.3% European/Pākehā, 20.6% Māori, 1.3% Pacific peoples, 0.6% Asian, and 2.1% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 19.7, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 53.9% had no religion, 35.0% were Christian, 2.1% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.2% were Hindu, 0.2% were Muslim, 0.4% were Buddhist and 1.5% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 285 (25.3%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 129 (11.4%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $37,500, compared with $31,800 nationally. 228 people (20.2%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 615 (54.5%) people were employed full-time, 201 (17.8%) were part-time, and 30 (2.7%) were unemployed.

Marae

The local Waimārama Marae and Taupunga meeting house is a meeting place for the Ngāti Kahungunu hapū of Ngāti Hikatoa, Ngāti Kurukuru, Ngāti Urakiterangi and Ngāti Whakaiti.

In October 2020, the Government committed $6,020,910 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade a group of 18 marae, including Waimārama Marae. The funding was expected to create 39 jobs.

Education

Waimārama School is a co-educational state primary school, with a roll of 20 as of August 2024. The school started in 1906.

Further reading

• Grant, Sydney (1977). Waimarama. Dunmore Press.