Wairakei

Wairakei is a small settlement, and geothermal area a few kilometres north of Taupō, in the centre of the North Island of New Zealand, on the Waikato River. It is part of the Taupō Volcanic Zone and features several natural geysers, hot pools. boiling mud pools, and the Wairakei Power Station, a major geothermal electric power generating station.

Wairakei
Rural locality
The Craters of the Moon, a steamfield close by, created by the use of geothermal energy changing the underground pressure situation.
The Craters of the Moon, a steamfield close by, created by the use of geothermal energy changing the underground pressure situation.
Coordinates: 38.619°S 176.103°E / -38.619; 176.103
CountryNew Zealand
RegionWaikato region
DistrictTaupō District
WardTaupō East Rural Ward
Electorates
Government
 • Territorial AuthorityTaupō District Council
 • Regional councilWaikato Regional Council
Area
[1]
 • Total0.36 km2 (0.14 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2023)[2]
 • Total550
 • Density1,500/km2 (4,000/sq mi)
Postcode(s)
3332

The station was the second large-scale geothermal facility worldwide, and was commissioned in 1958. It was listed in the book 70 Wonders Of The Modern World published in 2000 by Reader's Digest to record The Eventful 20th Century.[3]

The settlement, referred to as Wairakei Village, was constructed to house the workers of both the power station and the neighbouring Aratiatia hydro power station.

From 31 October 2022 it had buses to Taupō, Mondays to Fridays.[4]

Demographics

Statistics New Zealand describes Wairakei Village as a rural settlement, which covers 0.36 km2 (0.14 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 550 as of June 2023,[2] with a population density of 1,528 people per km2. The settlement is part of the larger Wairakei-Broadlands statistical area.

Historical population for Wairakei Village
YearPop.±% p.a.
2006465—    
2013453−0.37%
2018507+2.28%
Source: [5]

Wairakei Village had a population of 507 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 54 people (11.9%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 42 people (9.0%) since the 2006 census. There were 132 households, comprising 267 males and 240 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.11 males per female, with 153 people (30.2%) aged under 15 years, 114 (22.5%) aged 15 to 29, 204 (40.2%) aged 30 to 64, and 36 (7.1%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 68.6% European/Pākehā, 47.9% Māori, 6.5% Pacific peoples, 1.8% Asian, and 0.6% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 69.2% had no religion, 18.3% were Christian, and 3.6% had Māori religious beliefs.

Of those at least 15 years old, 21 (5.9%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 87 (24.6%) people had no formal qualifications. 27 people (7.6%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 174 (49.2%) people were employed full-time, 54 (15.3%) were part-time, and 36 (10.2%) were unemployed.[5]

Wairakei-Broadlands statistical area

Wairakei-Broadlands statistical area covers 410.00 km2 (158.30 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 1,340 as of June 2022,[6] with a population density of 3.3 people per km2.

Historical population for Wairakei-Broadlands
YearPop.±% p.a.
20061,092—    
20131,152+0.77%
20181,236+1.42%
Source: [7]
Dragon's Mouth geyser

Wairakei-Broadlands had a population of 1,236 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 84 people (7.3%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 144 people (13.2%) since the 2006 census. There were 387 households, comprising 648 males and 588 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.1 males per female. The median age was 31.9 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 315 people (25.5%) aged under 15 years, 261 (21.1%) aged 15 to 29, 555 (44.9%) aged 30 to 64, and 105 (8.5%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 74.8% European/Pākehā, 36.7% Māori, 4.4% Pacific peoples, 3.6% Asian, and 1.9% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 12.9, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 64.1% had no religion, 22.3% were Christian, 2.7% had Māori religious beliefs, 1.2% were Hindu, 0.2% were Muslim, 0.2% were Buddhist and 0.7% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 75 (8.1%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 210 (22.8%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $32,700, compared with $31,800 nationally. 117 people (12.7%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 516 (56.0%) people were employed full-time, 138 (15.0%) were part-time, and 51 (5.5%) were unemployed.[7]

Education

Wairakei School is a co-educational state primary school,[8][9] with a roll of 337 as of April 2023.[10][11] The school opened in 1959.[12]

Notable people

References
  1. "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  2. "Subnational population estimates (RC, SA2), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023. (regional councils); "Subnational population estimates (TA, SA2), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023. (territorial authorities); "Subnational population estimates (urban rural), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023. (urban areas)
  3. Antony Mason, 70 Wonders Of The Modern World, ISBN 0-86449-376-2
  4. "38 Wairakei to Taupō". BusIt. 31 October 2022.
  5. "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. 7013315–7013317.
  6. "Population estimate tables - NZ.Stat". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
  7. "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Wairakei-Broadlands (188200). 2018 Census place summary: Wairakei-Broadlands
  8. "Wairakei School Official School Website". wairakei.school.nz.
  9. "Wairakei School Ministry of Education School Profile". educationcounts.govt.nz. Ministry of Education.
  10. "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  11. "Wairakei School Education Review Office Report". ero.govt.nz. Education Review Office.
  12. "History". Wairakei School. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
  13. "Louise Rennison".
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