Waikawa Beach
Waikawa Beach | |
|---|---|
Rural settlement | |
Sand dunes at Waikawa beach | |
Interactive map of Waikawa Beach | |
| Coordinates: 40°41′17″S 175°08′56″E / 40.688°S 175.149°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Manawatū-Whanganui region |
| Territorial authority | Horowhenua District |
| Wards |
|
| Electorates | |
| Government | |
| • Territorial Authority | Horowhenua District Council |
| • Regional council | Horizons Regional Council |
| • Horowhenua Mayor | Bernie Wanden[1] |
| • Ōtaki MP | Tim Costley[2] |
| • Te Tai Hauāuru MP | Debbie Ngarewa-Packer[3] |
| Area | |
• Total | 1.50 km2 (0.58 sq mi) |
| Population (June 2025)[5] | |
• Total | 190 |
| • Density | 130/km2 (330/sq mi) |
Waikawa Beach is a small settlement in the Horowhenua District of the Manawatū-Whanganui region of New Zealand's North Island. It is located on the South Taranaki Bight at the mouth of Waikawa Stream, 7.5 kilometres northwest of Manakau, and 19 kilometres southwest of Levin, both distances being by road.
Hank Edwards Reserve is a small park adjacent to a footpath over Waikawa Stream.[6]
The toilet block was originally built in the late 1960s. In 2022 it was extensively remodelled at a cost of at least $369,687 plus GST.[7] The Facilities Block now offers two accessible toilets, a family changing room, and storage for use by the Waikawa Beach Ratepayers Association. There are also outdoor showers, a gas barbecue and picnic tables under cover, and drinking fountain.[8][9]
On Monday 13 October 2008 a concrete boat ramp was laid next to the footbridge by volunteers from the community. The ramp is suitable for kayaks and small boats.[10]
Erosion near the stream mouth has been a problem since the 1930s and particularly from February 2018.[11][12]
Bird Life
Waikawa Beach includes rural landscape, river, beach, wetlands and a couple of small freshwater lakes, Waimarie and Te Puna a te Ora. This allows for a wealth of birdlife including gulls, terns, dotterels, herons, shovelers, spoonbills, the Nationally Critical bittern, shags, godwits and dozens of other species.
Demographics
Waikawa Beach is described by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement, which covers 1.50 km2 (0.58 sq mi).[4] It had an estimated population of 190 as of June 2025,[5] with a population density of 127 people per km2. It is part of the larger Waikawa statistical area.[13]
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 114 | — |
| 2013 | 102 | −1.58% |
| 2018 | 132 | +5.29% |
| 2023 | 174 | +5.68% |
| Source: [14][15] | ||
Waikawa Beach had a population of 174 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 42 people (31.8%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 72 people (70.6%) since the 2013 census. There were 87 males and 90 females in 99 dwellings.[16] 5.2% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 59.6 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 12 people (6.9%) aged under 15 years, 12 (6.9%) aged 15 to 29, 93 (53.4%) aged 30 to 64, and 57 (32.8%) aged 65 or older.[14]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 93.1% European (Pākehā), 13.8% Māori, and 3.4% Pasifika. English was spoken by 96.6%, Māori by 5.2%, and other languages by 1.7%. No language could be spoken by 3.4% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 1.7%. The percentage of people born overseas was 17.2, compared with 28.8% nationally.[14]
Religious affiliations were 32.8% Christian, 1.7% Māori religious beliefs, 1.7% Buddhist, 1.7% Jewish, and 3.4% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 51.7%, and 8.6% of people did not answer the census question.[14]
Of those at least 15 years old, 36 (22.2%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 96 (59.3%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 27 (16.7%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $42,000, compared with $41,500 nationally. 30 people (18.5%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 66 (40.7%) full-time, 24 (14.8%) part-time, and 3 (1.9%) unemployed.[14]
Waikawa
Waikawa statistical area, which also includes Hokio Beach, covers 62.16 km2 (24.00 sq mi)[17] and had an estimated population of 940 as of June 2025,[18] with a population density of 15 people per km2.
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 756 | — |
| 2013 | 738 | −0.34% |
| 2018 | 750 | +0.32% |
| 2023 | 879 | +3.23% |
| Source: [19][20] | ||
The statistical area had a population of 879 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 129 people (17.2%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 141 people (19.1%) since the 2013 census. There were 450 males, 426 females, and 3 people of other genders in 417 dwellings.[21] 2.4% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 53.9 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 114 people (13.0%) aged under 15 years, 93 (10.6%) aged 15 to 29, 465 (52.9%) aged 30 to 64, and 210 (23.9%) aged 65 or older.[19]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 87.7% European (Pākehā); 22.5% Māori; 3.4% Pasifika; 1.7% Asian; 0.7% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.0% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 98.3%, Māori by 4.4%, Samoan by 1.0%, and other languages by 3.4%. No language could be spoken by 1.4% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 1.0%. The percentage of people born overseas was 13.0, compared with 28.8% nationally.[19]
Religious affiliations were 28.3% Christian, 0.3% Islam, 1.0% Māori religious beliefs, 0.3% Buddhist, 1.0% New Age, 0.3% Jewish, and 1.7% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 58.7%, and 9.6% of people did not answer the census question.[19]
Of those at least 15 years old, 132 (17.3%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 432 (56.5%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 201 (26.3%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $38,600, compared with $41,500 nationally. 90 people (11.8%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 360 (47.1%) full-time, 93 (12.2%) part-time, and 27 (3.5%) unemployed.[19]
References
- ^ "2025 Triennial Elections Declaration of Result" (PDF). Electionz. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
- ^ "Ōtaki – Official Result". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
- ^ "Te Tai Hauāuru - Official Result". Retrieved 20 April 2025.
- ^ a b "Stats NZ Geographic Data Service". Urban Rural 2023 (generalised). Retrieved 5 January 2026.
- ^ a b "Subnational population estimates - Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
- ^ "Hank Edwards Reserve and Waikawa Beach Foreshore, Waikawa Beach". Horowhenua District Council. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
- ^ "LGOIMA reference – 2022/839 (555 KB PDF)" (PDF). Horowhenua District Council. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
- ^ "Plans for new toilet block at Hank Edwards Reserve". Waikawa Beach Ratepayers Association. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
- ^ "Documentary photos of the 'old' toilet block". Waikawa Beach Ratepayers Association. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
- ^ "About the Boat Ramp". Waikawa Beach Ratepayers Association. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
- ^ Tuckey, Karoline (14 July 2018). "Waikawa Beach residents cut off from beach since February as councils pass buck". Manawatū Standard.
- ^ Galuszka, Jono (8 June 2019). "Waikawa Beach erosion solutions at least two years away". Stuff.
- ^ "Geographic Boundary Viewer". Stats NZ. Urban Rural – 2023 and Statistical Area 2 – 2023.
- ^ a b c d e "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Waikawa Beach (1379). Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ^ "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. 7018988.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Stats NZ Geographic Data Service". Statistical Area 2 2023 (generalised). Retrieved 5 January 2026.
- ^ "Subnational population estimates - Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
- ^ a b c d e "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Waikawa (Horowhenua District) (234500). Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ^ "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Waikawa (Horowhenua District) (234500). 2018 Census place summary: Waikawa (Horowhenua District)
- ^ "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.