Himatangi Beach
Settlement in Manawatū-Whanganui Region, New Zealand
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Himatangi Beach is a small coastal community in the Manawatū-Whanganui region of New Zealand's North Island. It is located 32 kilometres west of Palmerston North in the centre of the largest sand dune geographical feature in New Zealand.[6]
Himatangi Beach | |
|---|---|
Town | |
 Himatangi Beach and Kaikokopu Stream from the dunes | |
 Interactive map of Himatangi Beach | |
| Coordinates: 40°22′18″S 175°14′06″E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Manawatū-Whanganui |
| District | Manawatū District |
| Ward |
|
| Settled | Early 1700s |
| Electorates | |
| Government | |
| • Territorial Authority | Manawatū District Council |
| • Regional council | Horizons Regional Council |
| • Mayor of Manawatu | Michael Ford[1] |
| • Rangitīkei MP | Suze Redmayne[2] |
| • Te Tai Hauāuru MP | Debbie Ngarewa-Packer[3] |
| Area | |
• Total | 0.95 km2 (0.37 sq mi) |
| Population (June 2025)[5] | |
• Total | 590 |
| • Density | 620/km2 (1,600/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC-12 (NZST) |
| Postal code | 5551 |
Demographics
Himatangi Beach is described by Stats NZ as a rural settlement. It covers 0.95 km2 (0.37 sq mi)[4] and had an estimated population of 590 as of June 2025,[5] with a population density of 621 people per km2. It is part of the larger Oroua Downs statistical area.[7]
Himatangi Beach had a population of 540 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 30 people (5.9%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 111 people (25.9%) since the 2013 census. There were 285 males, 252 females, and 6 people of other genders in 261 dwellings.[10] 3.3% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 56.1 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 51 people (9.4%) aged under 15 years, 57 (10.6%) aged 15 to 29, 303 (56.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 129 (23.9%) aged 65 or older.[8]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 90.0% European (Pākehā), 20.6% Māori, 1.7% Pasifika, 1.1% Asian, and 4.4% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 98.9%, Māori by 3.9%, Samoan by 0.6%, and other languages by 3.3%. No language could be spoken by 0.6% (e.g. too young to talk). The percentage of people born overseas was 10.0, compared with 28.8% nationally.[8]
Religious affiliations were 25.0% Christian, 0.6% Hindu, 1.7% Māori religious beliefs, 0.6% Buddhist, 1.1% New Age, and 1.1% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 60.6%, and 10.0% of people did not answer the census question.[8]
Of those at least 15 years old, 60 (12.3%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 282 (57.7%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 150 (30.7%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $39,800, compared with $41,500 nationally. 45 people (9.2%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 243 (49.7%) full-time, 60 (12.3%) part-time, and 9 (1.8%) unemployed.[8]
The population increases to several thousand in the summer.
