Whareama is a rural area in the Wellington Region of New Zealand's North Island. The Whareama River flows through the area.[3]

Whareama
Locality
19th century Anglican Church at Whareama
19th century Anglican Church at Whareama
Map
Coordinates: 40°51′29″S 176°02′02″E / 40.858°S 176.034°E / -40.858; 176.034
CountryNew Zealand
RegionWellington Region
Territorial authorityMasterton District
Ward
  • Masterton/Whakaoriori General Ward
  • Masterton/Whakaoriori Māori Ward
Electorates
Government
 • Territorial AuthorityMasterton District Council
 • Regional councilGreater Wellington Regional Council
 • Mayor of MastertonGary Caffell
 • Wairarapa MPMike Butterick
 • Ikaroa-Rāwhiti MPCushla Tangaere-Manuel
Area
 • Total1,596.08 km2 (616.25 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2024)[2]
 • Total1,660
 • Density1.0/km2 (2.7/sq mi)

Marae

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The community has two marae affiliated with the Ngāti Kahungunu hapū of Ngāi Tumapuhia-a-Rangi: Motuwairaka Marae, which lost its meeting house to fire in 2017, and Ngāi Tumapuhia a Rangi ki Okautete Marae, which is still constructing its meeting house by 2020.[4][5]

In October 2020, the Government committed $2,179,654 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade both marae, alongside Pāpāwai, Kohunui, Hurunui o Rangi and Te Oreore marae. Together, the upgrades were expected to create 19.8 full time jobs.[6]

Demographics

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Whareama statistical area covers 1,596.08 km2 (616.25 sq mi)[1] and also includes Bideford, Castlepoint, Riversdale Beach, Tauweru, Tīnui and Wainuioru. It had an estimated population of 1,660 as of June 2024,[2] with a population density of 1.04 people per km2.

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
20061,290—    
20131,281−0.10%
20181,410+1.94%
Source: [7]

Whareama had a population of 1,410 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 129 people (10.1%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 120 people (9.3%) since the 2006 census. There were 555 households, comprising 729 males and 681 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.07 males per female. The median age was 43.6 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 291 people (20.6%) aged under 15 years, 204 (14.5%) aged 15 to 29, 726 (51.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 189 (13.4%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 93.0% European/Pākehā, 17.4% Māori, 1.7% Pasifika, 0.6% Asian, and 1.1% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 10.0, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 56.0% had no religion, 35.5% were Christian, 1.1% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.2% were Buddhist and 0.9% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 192 (17.2%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 204 (18.2%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $34,000, compared with $31,800 nationally. 153 people (13.7%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 612 (54.7%) people were employed full-time, 231 (20.6%) were part-time, and 30 (2.7%) were unemployed.[7]

Education

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Whareama School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students,[8][9] with a roll of 46 as of August 2024.[10]

References

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  1. ^ a b "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  3. ^ "Place name detail: Whareama River". New Zealand Gazetteer. New Zealand Geographic Board. Retrieved 12 July 2009.
  4. ^ "Te Kāhui Māngai directory". tkm.govt.nz. Te Puni Kōkiri.
  5. ^ "Māori Maps". maorimaps.com. Te Potiki National Trust.
  6. ^ "Marae Announcements" (Excel). growregions.govt.nz. Provincial Growth Fund. 9 October 2020.
  7. ^ a b "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Whareama (256500). 2018 Census place summary: Whareama
  8. ^ "Whareama School Official School Website". whareama.school.nz.
  9. ^ "Whareama School Ministry of Education School Profile". educationcounts.govt.nz. Ministry of Education.
  10. ^ "Whareama School Education Review Office Report". ero.govt.nz. Education Review Office.