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Waitōtara
Country New Zealand
Region Taranaki Region
Territorial authority South Taranaki District
Ward
  • Pātea General Ward
  • Te Tai Tonga Māori Ward
Community Pātea Community
Electorates
  • Whanganui
  • Te Tai Hauāuru (Māori)
Area
 • Total 0.25 km2 (0.10 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2023)
 • Total 70
 • Density 280/km2 (730/sq mi)

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.

More than 30 homes were evacuated during flooding in February 2004.

A local freezing works is a major employer.

Demographics

Waitōtara is defined by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement. It covers 0.25 km2 (0.097 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 70 as of June 2023, with a population density of 280 people per km2. It is part of the wider Manutahi-Waitotora statistical area.

Historical population
Year Pop. ±% p.a.
2006 66 —    
2013 66 +0.00%
2018 72 +1.76%
Waitotara, Taranaki (redoubt from the NZ Wars) (16685005984)
Site of the Waitōtara Redoubt, built during the Second Taranaki War (shown in 1948).

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.

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.

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.

Education

Waitotara School is a coeducational full primary (years 1–8) school with a roll of 34 students as of February 2024. The school was founded in 1874.

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