Hari Hari

The name Hari Hari, has a Māori meaning, from Te Aka Māori/English Dictionary, as "to take/carry joy" or, as local legend suggests, "come together in unison" from a Māori canoe paddling chant/song. Williams' dictionary gives "Harihari" as the correct spelling for that meaning. ^[11] while Te Aka online Maori Dictionary states "Harihari" (one word) can mean a medium sized clam. Also, "waka harihari tūroro", has the meaning of "ambulance" (according to the Te Aka Dictionary). ^{[circular reference]} In recent years, Hari Hari has been increasingly referred to as "Harihari". No official statutory process has taken place in order for this to happen.

Many local residents are upset about the growing number of official websites, and official documentation, referring to Hari Hari as being "Harihari". The greater community insists that they were not informed or talked to about this matter, and are against the gradual unofficial change. Some are being active about keeping their town's name the same, and have involved the Department of Māori Affairs about the tampering with of a traditional Māori place name. Town signs around Hari Hari still state the name is Hari Hari. One newly placed town distance sign in Whataroa shows the name "Harihari".^[12]

The town was named Hari Hari in September, 1908, when a post office was needed for the township. Local historian, Vic Berry writes about this, with a photo, in his popular West Coast book. "Goa Way back- Early Hari Hari". Although, there is one record of the town being named "Harihari" in 1955. There are conficting sources of information in relation to the original name, to this day. Thought to be caused by surveyors, over the decades. ^[13] the office was opened on 18 September 1908.^[14]

Harihari is described by Stats NZ as a rural settlement and covers 50.43 km² (19.47 sq mi).^[4] It had an estimated population of 250 as of June 2025,^[5] with a population density of 5.0 people per km². The settlement is part of the larger Whataroa-Harihari statistical area.^[15]

Harihari had a population of 249 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 12 people (5.1%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 6 people (2.5%) since the 2013 census. There were 123 males and 126 females in 114 dwellings.^[18] 2.4% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 49.3 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 45 people (18.1%) aged under 15 years, 27 (10.8%) aged 15 to 29, 120 (48.2%) aged 30 to 64, and 54 (21.7%) aged 65 or older.^[16]

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 95.2% European (Pākehā), 12.0% Māori, and 1.2% Asian. English was spoken by 98.8%, Māori by 3.6%, and other languages by 3.6%. No language could be spoken by 2.4% (e.g. too young to talk). The percentage of people born overseas was 7.2, compared with 28.8% nationally.^[16]

The sole religious affiliation given was 31.3% Christian. People who answered that they had no religion were 55.4%, and 13.3% of people did not answer the census question.^[16]

Of those at least 15 years old, 30 (14.7%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 105 (51.5%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 72 (35.3%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $26,100, compared with $41,500 nationally. 12 people (5.9%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 90 (44.1%) full-time, 33 (16.2%) part-time, and 6 (2.9%) unemployed.^[16]

South Westland Area School is a coeducational composite school (years 1–15), with a roll of 117 students as of July 2026.^[24][25] It opened in 1969, replacing Hari Hari School which had existed since 1865.^[26] The school has a satellite class at Franz Josef Glacier School.^[27]

There is also a University of Canterbury Field Station, "The Green Elephant".^[28]