Whareama | |
---|---|
Locality | |
![]() 19th century Anglican Church at Whareama | |
![]() | |
Coordinates: 40°51′29″S 176°02′02″E / 40.858°S 176.034°E | |
Country | New Zealand |
Region | Wellington Region |
Territorial authority | Masterton District |
Ward |
|
Electorates | |
Government | |
• Territorial Authority | Masterton District Council |
• Regional council | Greater Wellington Regional Council |
• Mayor of Masterton | Gary Caffell |
• Wairarapa MP | Mike Butterick |
• Ikaroa-Rāwhiti MP | Cushla Tangaere-Manuel |
Area | |
• Total | 1,596.08 km2 (616.25 sq mi) |
Population (June 2023)[2] | |
• Total | 1,640 |
• Density | 1.0/km2 (2.7/sq mi) |
Whareama is a rural area in the Wellington Region of New Zealand's North Island. The Whareama River flows through the area.[3]
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]
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 1,640 as of June 2023,[2] with a population density of 1.03 people per km2.
Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
---|---|---|
2006 | 1,290 | — |
2013 | 1,281 | −0.10% |
2018 | 1,410 | +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]
Whareama School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students,[8][9] with a roll of 49 as of February 2024.[10]