Waitahanui

Waitahanui
Village
Interactive map of Waitahanui
Coordinates: 38°47′38″S 176°04′34″E / 38.794°S 176.076°E / -38.794; 176.076
CountryNew Zealand
RegionWaikato region
DistrictTaupō District
WardTaupō General Ward
Electorates
Government
 • Territorial AuthorityTaupō District Council
 • Regional councilWaikato Regional Council
 • Mayor of TaupōJohn Funnell
 • Taupō MPLouise Upston
 • Waiariki MPRawiri Waititi
Area
 • Total
5.30 km2 (2.05 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2025)
 • Total
600
 • Density110/km2 (290/sq mi)
Postcode(s)
3378

Waitahanui is a village in the Taupō District, Waikato region, New Zealand. The village is on the eastern shore of Lake Taupō, 14 km (9 mi) south of the district seat of Taupō.

Waitahanui Marae and Pākira meeting house is a meeting place for the Ngāti Tūwharetoa hapū (subtribe) of Ngāti Hinerau and Ngāti Tutemohuta. The Waitahanui Bridge site is also a meeting place for the Ngāti Tūwharetoa hapū.

Demographics

Statistics New Zealand describes Five Mile Bay-Waitahanui as a rural settlement, which covers 5.30 km2 (2.05 sq mi). It had an estimated population of 600 as of June 2025, with a population density of 113 people per km2. The settlement is part of the larger Waitahanui statistical area.

Historical population for Five Mile Bay-Waitahanui
YearPop.±% p.a.
2006453—    
2013402−1.69%
2018543+6.20%
2023579+1.29%
The 2006 population is for a larger area of 14.72 km2.
Source:

Five Mile Bay-Waitahanui had a population of 579 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 36 people (6.6%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 177 people (44.0%) since the 2013 census. There were 288 males, 285 females, and 3 people of other genders in 183 dwellings. 1.6% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 43.1 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 114 people (19.7%) aged under 15 years, 84 (14.5%) aged 15 to 29, 258 (44.6%) aged 30 to 64, and 117 (20.2%) aged 65 or older.

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 48.7% European (Pākehā), 63.7% Māori, 5.2% Pasifika, 2.1% Asian, and 1.0% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 93.8%, Māori by 26.4%, Samoan by 0.5%, and other languages by 2.6%. No language could be spoken by 1.6% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.5%. The percentage of people born overseas was 7.8, compared with 28.8% nationally.

Religious affiliations were 23.3% Christian, 0.5% Hindu, 0.5% Islam, 24.9% Māori religious beliefs, 0.5% New Age, and 0.5% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 42.0%, and 8.3% of people did not answer the census question.

Of those at least 15 years old, 54 (11.6%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 258 (55.5%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 147 (31.6%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $33,200, compared with $41,500 nationally. 27 people (5.8%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 195 (41.9%) full-time, 63 (13.5%) part-time, and 15 (3.2%) unemployed.

Waitahanui statistical area

Waitahanui statistical area covers 120.64 km2 (46.58 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 870 as of June 2025, with a population density of 7.2 people per km2.

Historical population for the statistical area
YearPop.±% p.a.
2006690—    
2013642−1.02%
2018795+4.37%
2023846+1.25%
Source:

Waitahanui statistical area had a population of 846 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 51 people (6.4%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 204 people (31.8%) since the 2013 census. There were 426 males, 417 females, and 6 people of other genders in 270 dwellings. 1.4% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 42.5 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 165 people (19.5%) aged under 15 years, 135 (16.0%) aged 15 to 29, 387 (45.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 159 (18.8%) aged 65 or older.

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 60.3% European (Pākehā); 50.4% Māori; 3.5% Pasifika; 1.4% Asian; 0.4% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.5% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 95.0%, Māori by 19.1%, Samoan by 0.7%, and other languages by 2.5%. No language could be spoken by 1.8% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.4%. The percentage of people born overseas was 8.9, compared with 28.8% nationally.

Religious affiliations were 24.5% Christian, 0.4% Hindu, 0.4% Islam, 17.4% Māori religious beliefs, 0.4% Buddhist, 0.4% New Age, and 1.1% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 47.5%, and 8.9% of people did not answer the census question.

Of those at least 15 years old, 87 (12.8%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 399 (58.6%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 192 (28.2%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $37,800, compared with $41,500 nationally. 57 people (8.4%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 321 (47.1%) full-time, 96 (14.1%) part-time, and 15 (2.2%) unemployed.

Education

Te Kura o Waitahanui is a co-educational state Māori immersion school serving years 1 to 6, with a roll of 103 as of July 2026. The Waitahanui Native School started in 1905.

References

  1. ↑ "2025 Triennial Elections Declaration of Result" (PDF). Electionz. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  2. ↑ New Zealand Electoral Commission. "Taupō - Official Result". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
  3. ↑ "Waiariki – Official Result". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  4. 1 2 "Stats NZ Geographic Data Service". Urban Rural 2023 (generalised). Retrieved 22 May 2025.
  5. 1 2 "Subnational population estimates - Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
  6. ↑ Hariss, Gavin. "Waitahanui, Waikato". topomap.co.nz. NZ Topo Map.
  7. ↑ "Te Kāhui Māngai directory". tkm.govt.nz. Te Puni Kōkiri.
  8. ↑ "Māori Maps". maorimaps.com. Te Potiki National Trust.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Five Mile Bay-Waitahanui (1219). Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  10. ↑ "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. 7013335, 7013350, 7013354 and 7013355.
  11. ↑ "Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  12. ↑ "Stats NZ Geographic Data Service". Statistical Area 2 2023 (generalised). Retrieved 22 May 2025.
  13. ↑ "Subnational population estimates - Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Waitahanui (189600). Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  15. ↑ "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Waitahanui (189600). 2018 Census place summary: Waitahanui
  16. ↑ "Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  17. ↑ "Te Kura o Waitahanui Ministry of Education School Profile". educationcounts.govt.nz. Ministry of Education.
  18. ↑ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  19. ↑ "Te Kura o Waitahanui Education Review Office Report". ero.govt.nz. Education Review Office.
  20. ↑ "Ko Wai Mātou?". Te Kura o Waitahanui. Retrieved 22 November 2020.