Kaitemako
Rural community in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kaitemako is a rural area in the Western Bay of Plenty District and Bay of Plenty Region of New Zealand's North Island. The area includes the Kaitemako Stream catchment.[6] The highest point is Pukunui at 364 metres.[7] The Kaiate Falls (Te Rerekawau Falls) are a pair of waterfalls, with the lower fall being about 15 metres high.[8]
Kaitemako | |
|---|---|
Rural community | |
Upper Kaiate Falls | |
 Interactive map of Kaitemako | |
| Coordinates: 37.8°S 176.2°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Bay of Plenty |
| Territorial authority | Western Bay of Plenty District |
| Ward | Kaimai Ward |
| Electorates | |
| Government | |
| • Territorial authority | Western Bay of Plenty District Council |
| • Regional council | Bay of Plenty Regional Council |
| • Mayor of Western Bay of Plenty | James Denyer[1] |
| • Rotorua MP | Todd McClay[2] |
| • Waiariki MP | Rawiri Waititi[3] |
| Area | |
• Total | 75.76 km2 (29.25 sq mi) |
| Population (June 2025)[5] | |
• Total | 1,920 |
| • Density | 25.3/km2 (65.6/sq mi) |
| Postcode(s) | 3173 |
Demographics
Waitao statistical area, which was called Kaitemako before the 2023 census, covers 75.76 km2 (29.25 sq mi)[4] and had an estimated population of 1,920 as of June 2025,[5] with a population density of 25 people per km2.
Waitao had a population of 1,824 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 72 people (4.1%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 351 people (23.8%) since the 2013 census. There were 894 males, 924 females, and 6 people of other genders in 639 dwellings.[11] 2.5% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 45.0 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 339 people (18.6%) aged under 15 years, 264 (14.5%) aged 15 to 29, 921 (50.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 300 (16.4%) aged 65 or older.[9]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 82.9% European (Pākehā); 20.7% Māori; 1.3% Pasifika; 3.3% Asian; 1.3% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 3.9% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 97.5%, Māori by 6.7%, Samoan by 0.2%, and other languages by 9.7%. No language could be spoken by 1.8% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.3%. The percentage of people born overseas was 19.4, compared with 28.8% nationally.[9]
Religious affiliations were 28.0% Christian, 0.2% Islam, 3.5% Māori religious beliefs, 0.7% Buddhist, 0.5% New Age, and 1.2% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 56.7%, and 9.2% of people did not answer the census question.[9]
Of those at least 15 years old, 372 (25.1%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 834 (56.2%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 282 (19.0%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $38,900, compared with $41,500 nationally. 177 people (11.9%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 759 (51.1%) full-time, 294 (19.8%) part-time, and 27 (1.8%) unemployed.[9]