Ōhiwa
Rural settlement in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ōhiwa is a rural settlement in the Ōpōtiki District and Bay of Plenty Region of New Zealand's North Island. It is on a headland on the eastern side of Ōhiwa Harbour, and on the western side of the Waiotahe River mouth.[6]
Ōhiwa | |
|---|---|
Rural settlement | |
Ōhiwa Beach Road | |
 Interactive map of Ōhiwa | |
| Coordinates: 37.990°S 177.161°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Bay of Plenty |
| Territorial authority | Ōpōtiki District |
| Ward | Waioeka-Waiōtahe-Otara Ward |
| Electorates | |
| Government | |
| • Territorial authority | Ōpōtiki District Council |
| • Regional council | Bay of Plenty Regional Council |
| • Mayor of Ōpōtiki | David Moore[1] |
| • East Coast MP | Dana Kirkpatrick[2] |
| • Waiariki MP | Rawiri Waititi[3] |
| Area | |
• Total | 3.96 km2 (1.53 sq mi) |
| Population (June 2025)[5] | |
• Total | 180 |
| • Density | 45/km2 (120/sq mi) |
| Postcode(s) | 3174 |
The New Zealand Geographic Board officially included the macron in the name from 16 July 2020.[7]
The Ferry Hotel was opened at Ōhiwa in 1873, together with a ferry service to Ōhope. A post office opened in the growing town in 1877. Unstable sand and erosion from 1915 destroyed the town. A second attempt to create sections for baches in the 1960s was also lost to erosion in 1978.[8]
Onekawa Te Mawhai Regional Park was created on the headland in 2010. It incorporates areas of archaeological importance from long Māori use of the area, including Onekawa pā.[9]
A local campground provides accommodation.[10]
Demographics
Ōhiwa is described by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement, which covers 3.96 km2 (1.53 sq mi).[4] It had an estimated population of 180 as of June 2025,[5] with a population density of 45 people per km2. It is part of the larger Waiotahi statistical area.[11]
Ōhiwa had a population of 177 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 6 people (3.5%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 21 people (13.5%) since the 2013 census. There were 90 males, 84 females, and 3 people of other genders in 84 dwellings.[14] 1.7% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 61.7 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 12 people (6.8%) aged under 15 years, 12 (6.8%) aged 15 to 29, 81 (45.8%) aged 30 to 64, and 69 (39.0%) aged 65 or older.[12]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 93.2% European (Pākehā), 18.6% Māori, 3.4% Asian, and 3.4% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 98.3%, Māori by 3.4%, and other languages by 5.1%. The percentage of people born overseas was 16.9, compared with 28.8% nationally.[12]
Religious affiliations were 23.7% Christian, 1.7% Hindu, 1.7% Māori religious beliefs, and 3.4% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 67.8%, and 3.4% of people did not answer the census question.[12]
Of those at least 15 years old, 45 (27.3%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 96 (58.2%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 24 (14.5%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $30,300, compared with $41,500 nationally. 15 people (9.1%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 60 (36.4%) full-time, 24 (14.5%) part-time, and 6 (3.6%) unemployed.[12]