Waitōtara
Waitōtara is a town in South Taranaki, New Zealand. Waverley is 10 km to the north-west, and Whanganui is 34 km to the south-east. State Highway 3 passes through it. The Waitōtara River flows past the east side of the town.[3][4]
Waitōtara  | |
|---|---|
| Coordinates: 39°48′21″S 174°44′4″E | |
| Country | New Zealand | 
| Region | Taranaki Region | 
| Territorial authority | South Taranaki District | 
| Ward | 
  | 
| Community | Pātea Community | 
| Electorates | |
| Government | |
| • Territorial Authority | South Taranaki District Council | 
| • Regional council | Taranaki Regional Council | 
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.25 km2 (0.10 sq mi) | 
| Population  (June 2023)[2]  | |
| • Total | 70 | 
| • Density | 280/km2 (730/sq mi) | 
More than 30 homes were evacuated during flooding in February 2004.[5]
A local freezing works is a major employer.[6]
Demographics
    
Waitōtara is defined by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement. It covers 0.25 km2 (0.097 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 70 as of June 2023,[2] with a population density of 280 people per km2. It is part of the wider Manutahi-Waitotora statistical area.[7]
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. | 
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 66 | — | 
| 2013 | 66 | +0.00% | 
| 2018 | 72 | +1.76% | 
| Source: [8] | ||
_(16685005984).jpg.webp)
Waitōtara had a population of 72 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 6 people (9.1%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 6 people (9.1%) since the 2006 census. There were 39 households, comprising 42 males and 30 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.4 males per female. The median age was 54.1 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 12 people (16.7%) aged under 15 years, 6 (8.3%) aged 15 to 29, 33 (45.8%) aged 30 to 64, and 21 (29.2%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 70.8% European/Pākehā, and 33.3% Māori. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 58.3% had no religion, 29.2% were Christian, and 4.2% had Māori religious beliefs.
Of those at least 15 years old, 24 (40.0%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $23,500, compared with $31,800 nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 24 (40.0%) people were employed full-time, 9 (15.0%) were part-time, and 6 (10.0%) were unemployed.[8]
Marae
    
Waitōtara has marae associated with the hapū of Ngā Rauru Kītahi:
- Te Ihupuku Marae and Te Kawerau and Karepoonia are affiliated with Ngāti Hinewaiata.
 - Kaipō or Wharetapapa Marae and its Tokanuhea III meeting house are affiliated with Ngāti Hou Tipua.
 - Takirau Marae and Ko Te Marunga Nui o Pourua meeting house are affiliated with Ngāti Pourua.
 - Tauranga Ika Marae and Te Aputa ki Wairau meeting house are affiliated with Ngāti Ruaiti.
 - Waipapa Marae and Ngā Paiaka meeting house are affiliated with Ngā Ariki.[9][10]
 
In October 2020, the Government committed $522,926 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade Te Ihupuku Marae, Waipapa Marae and Te Aroha Marae, creating 92 jobs.[11]
Education
    
Waitotara School is a coeducational full primary (years 1–8) school with a roll of 36 students as of April 2023.[12][13] The school was founded in 1874.[14]
References
    
- "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
 - "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)
 - Peter Dowling, ed. (2004). Reed New Zealand Atlas. Reed Books. pp. map 44. ISBN 0-7900-0952-8.
 - Roger Smith, GeographX (2005). The Geographic Atlas of New Zealand. Robbie Burton. pp. map 104. ISBN 1-877333-20-4.
 - "Cyclone set to miss NZ but heavy rain coming". The New Zealand Herald. 26 February 2004.
 - Maslin, John (15 May 2008). "Dannevirke works closure could mean expansion at Waitotara". Wanganui Chronicle.
 - 2018 Census place summary: Manutahi-Waitotora
 - "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. 7017544.
 - "Te Kāhui Māngai directory". tkm.govt.nz. Te Puni Kōkiri.
 - "Māori Maps". maorimaps.com. Te Potiki National Trust.
 - "Marae Announcements" (Excel). growregions.govt.nz. Provincial Growth Fund. 9 October 2020.
 - "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
 - Education Counts: Waitotara School
 - "Welcome to Waitotara School". Waitotara School.