Waitākere, Auckland

Coordinates: 36°51′00″S 174°32′35″E / 36.850°S 174.543°E / -36.850; 174.543
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Waitākere Township
Map
Coordinates: 36°51′00″S 174°32′35″E / 36.850°S 174.543°E / -36.850; 174.543
CountryNew Zealand
CityAuckland
Local authorityAuckland Council
Electoral wardWaitākere ward
Local boardWaitākere Ranges Local Board
Area
 • Land1,479 ha (3,655 acres)
Population
 (June 2023)[2]
 • Total1,880
Train stationsWaitakere railway station
Waimauku Taupaki Massey
Muriwai
Waitākere
Massey
Te Henga / Bethells Beach (Waitākere Ranges) Swanson

Waitākere is a small, mostly rural settlement to the northwest of Auckland, New Zealand.

History[edit]

The settlement is in the traditional rohe of Te Kawerau ā Maki.[3] The many hills of the area were known as Ngā Rau Pou ā Maki, referring to the eponymous ancestor of the tribe.[4]

During the latter 19th century, the King brothers established a flax mill at Waitākere.[5] In 1881, the Waitākere railway station was opened, when the North Auckland Line was extended from New Lynn to Helensville.[6][7]

Waitakere Road had two bridges constructed to bypass the now Township Road making it a dead-end or cul-de-sac.[citation needed]

Demographics[edit]

Waitākere covers 14.79 km2 (5.71 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 1,880 as of June 2023,[2] with a population density of 127 people per km2.

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
20061,755—    
20131,812+0.46%
20181,935+1.32%
Source: [8]
The fire station in Waitakere, near Waitakere railway station.

Before the 2023 census, the suburb had a larger boundary, covering 15.29 km2 (5.90 sq mi).[1] Using that boundary, Waitākere had a population of 1,935 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 123 people (6.8%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 180 people (10.3%) since the 2006 census. There were 657 households, comprising 975 males and 960 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.02 males per female. The median age was 39.5 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 390 people (20.2%) aged under 15 years, 357 (18.4%) aged 15 to 29, 987 (51.0%) aged 30 to 64, and 201 (10.4%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 91.5% European/Pākehā, 14.6% Māori, 6.2% Pacific peoples, 4.0% Asian, and 2.2% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 18.1, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 60.2% had no religion, 27.3% were Christian, 0.5% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.9% were Hindu, 0.6% were Muslim, 0.3% were Buddhist and 2.6% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 321 (20.8%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 228 (14.8%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $41,800, compared with $31,800 nationally. 381 people (24.7%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 915 (59.2%) people were employed full-time, 258 (16.7%) were part-time, and 48 (3.1%) were unemployed.[8]

Education[edit]

Waitakere School is a coeducational full primary (years 1–8) school with a roll of 444 students as at February 2024.[9][10] It was established in 1921.[11]

List of places within Waitakere township[edit]

Notable people[edit]

  • Arthur "Artie" Campbell Jonkers Artie was a well known figure on the family farm in Waitakere township where he worked tirelessly farming sheep. [15]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Population estimate tables - NZ.Stat". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  3. ^ Te Kawerau ā Maki; The Trustees of Te Kawerau Iwi Settlement Trust; The Crown (22 February 2014). "Te Kawerau ā Maki Deed of Settlement Schedule" (PDF). Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  4. ^ Diamond, John T.; Hayward, Bruce W. (1990). "Prehistoric Sites in West Auckland". In Northcote-Bade, James (ed.). West Auckland Remembers, Volume 1. West Auckland Historical Society. pp. 14, 18. ISBN 0-473-00983-8.
  5. ^ Dunsford, Deborah (2002). Doing It Themselves: the Story of Kumeu, Huapai and Taupaki. Huapai-Kumeu Lions Club. p. 50. ISBN 0-473-08969-6.
  6. ^ Scoble, Juliet (2010). "Names & Opening & Closing Dates of Railway Stations" (PDF). Rail Heritage Trust of New Zealand. Retrieved 12 October 2019.
  7. ^ Railway Stations of Auckland's Western Line (2004) by Sean Millar
  8. ^ a b "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Waitakere (118000). 2018 Census place summary: Waitakere
  9. ^ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  10. ^ Education Counts: Waitakere School
  11. ^ "Waitakere School golden jubilee 1921-1971 (record)". National Museum of New Zealand. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  12. ^ "Police backing dairy owners but robberies on the rise". stuff.co.nz. Stuff. 7 October 2017. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  13. ^ Grevel, Louise. "Waitakere Township Hall". aucklandcouncil.govt.nz. Auckland Council. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  14. ^ "Waitakere Kindergarten". ero.govt.nz. Education Review Office. 8 February 2018. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  15. ^ Wigmore, Caryn (20 February 2014). "Old soldier a hard worker". stuff.co.nz. Stuff. Retrieved 30 June 2020.