Waihi Beach

Waihi Beach is a coastal town at the western end of the Bay of Plenty in New Zealand's North Island. It lies 10 kilometres to the east of the town of Waihi, at the foot of the Coromandel Peninsula. The main beach is 10 kilometres long. The town had a permanent population of 2,720 as of June 2020.

Waihi Beach
Waihi Beach
Coordinates: 37.411°S 175.941°E / -37.411; 175.941
Country New Zealand
RegionBay of Plenty
Territorial authorityWestern Bay of Plenty District
WardWaihi Beach
Population
 (June 2020)[1]
 • Total2,720

At the northern end of Waihi Beach, the 145 hectares (360 acres) Orokawa Scenic Reserve offers several short walking tracks along the coast and to Orokawa Bay.[2][3] While the main beach is backed by the residential area of the township of Waihi Beach, Orokawa Bay is undeveloped and surrounded by native bush including pohutukawa, puriri, and nikau palms.[3]

At the southern end of the beach is the small settlement of Bowentown and the northern side of the northern Katikati entrance to Tauranga Harbour.[4]

History and culture

Early history

Māori have lived in the region since pre-European times, with numerous pā sites within a few kilometres of Waihi Beach. There is still evidence of the old pā sites at the Bowentown end of Waihi Beach.

The name Waihi ("Rising Water") is said to be named after a stream which flows into the beach, the later town of Waihi taking its name from the name for the beach.[5]

Modern history

The Waihi Beach Hotel was built in 1967 and the Athenree mineral hot springs are located nearby.[6] Nearby Waihi is known for the gold and silver mining operation at Martha Mine and several underground mines.[7]

Marae

Otāwhiwhi Marae, located in Bowentown, is a marae (tribal meeting ground) of the Ngāi Te Rangi tribe and Ngāi Tauwhao sub-tribe;[8] it includes the Tamaoho wharenui (meeting house).[9]

In October 2020, the Government committed $500,000 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade the marae. The upgrade is expected to create 33 jobs.[10]

Demographics
Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
20062,946—    
20133,150+0.96%
20183,621+2.83%
Source: [11]

Waihi Beach, comprising the statistical areas of Waiau, Waihi Beach-Bowentown and Athenree, had a population of 3,621 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 471 people (15.0%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 675 people (22.9%) since the 2006 census. There were 1,443 households. There were 1,785 males and 1,839 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.97 males per female, with 513 people (14.2%) aged under 15 years, 435 (12.0%) aged 15 to 29, 1,572 (43.4%) aged 30 to 64, and 1,098 (30.3%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 89.7% European/Pākehā, 15.7% Māori, 1.3% Pacific peoples, 2.1% Asian, and 1.6% other ethnicities (totals add to more than 100% since people could identify with multiple ethnicities).

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

Although some people objected to giving their religion, 55.1% had no religion, 33.8% were Christian, 0.5% were Hindu, 0.3% were Buddhist and 3.2% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 537 (17.3%) people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 555 (17.9%) people had no formal qualifications. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 1,209 (38.9%) people were employed full-time, 534 (17.2%) were part-time, and 87 (2.8%) were unemployed.[11]

Individual statistical areas
NamePopulationMedian ageMedian income
Waiau33348.2 years$28,900
Waihi Beach-Bowentown2,48454.8 years$28,600
Athenree80455.2 years$26,500
New Zealand37.4 years$31,800


Education

Waihi Beach School is a co-educational state primary school for Year to 6 students,[12] with a roll of 226 as of March 2020.[13] The school opened in 1924.[14]

References
  1. "Population estimate tables - NZ.Stat". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
  2. "Orokawa Bay". Waihi Beach Community Events & Promotions Inc. Retrieved 2014-09-06.
  3. "Tauranga area: Orokawa Scenic Reserve short walking tracks". Department of Conservation NZ. Retrieved 2014-09-06.
  4. "Bay of Plenty places - Waihī Beach to Bowentown". Te Ara: Encyclopedia of New Zealand. 2012-11-14. Retrieved 2014-09-06.
  5. "History of Waihi Beach". Ohinemuri Regional History Journal 9, May 1968. Retrieved 2014-09-06.
  6. "Why Waihi? Why not?". Waikato Times. 2014-01-20. Retrieved 2014-09-06.
  7. "History - Newmont Waihi Gold". Newmont Mining Corporation. Retrieved 2014-09-06.
  8. "Te Kāhui Māngai directory". tkm.govt.nz. Te Puni Kōkiri.
  9. "Māori Maps". maorimaps.com. Te Potiki National Trust.
  10. "Marae Announcements" (Excel). growregions.govt.nz. Provincial Growth Fund. 9 October 2020.
  11. "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Waiau (190100), Waihi Beach-Bowentown (190200) and Athenree (190400). 2018 Census place summary: Waiau 2018 Census place summary: Waihi Beach-Bowentown 2018 Census place summary: Athenree
  12. "Waihi Beach School Ministry of Education School Profile". educationcounts.govt.nz. Ministry of Education.
  13. "Waihi Beach School Education Review Office Report". ero.govt.nz. Education Review Office.
  14. "Waihi Beach School 75th Jubilee". Ohinemuri Regional History Journal (44). September 2000.

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