Rings Beach
Rural settlement in New Zealand
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Rings Beach is a beach settlement on the Coromandel Peninsula of New Zealand, between Matarangi on the west and Kūaotunu on the east. The eastern end of the settlement is known as Kūaotunu West.[6]
- Coromandel
- Hauraki-Waikato (Māori)
Rings Beach | |
|---|---|
 Interactive map of Rings Beach | |
| Coordinates: 36.729°S 175.689°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Waikato |
| District | Thames-Coromandel District |
| Ward | Mercury Bay ward |
| Community Board | Mercury Bay Community |
| Electorates |
|
| Government | |
| • Council | Thames-Coromandel District Council |
| • Regional council | Waikato Regional Council |
| • Mayor of Thames-Coromandel | Peter Revell[1] |
| • Coromandel MP | Scott Simpson[2] |
| • Hauraki-Waikato MP | Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke[3] |
| Area | |
• Total | 1.41 km2 (0.54 sq mi) |
| Population (June 2025)[5] | |
• Total | 140 |
| • Density | 99/km2 (260/sq mi) |
The beach was named after Frank Ring, a local sheep farmer. He was the son of Charles Ring who discovered gold in the Coromandel in 1852.[7]
Rings Beach loop track is a walking track through forest and wetlands inland from the beach.[8]
Demographics
Rings Beach is described by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement. It covers 1.41 km2 (0.54 sq mi)[4] and had an estimated population of 140 as of June 2025,[5] with a population density of 99 people per km2. Rings Beach is part of the larger Mercury Bay North statistical area.[9]
Rings Beach had a population of 141 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 21 people (17.5%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 42 people (42.4%) since the 2013 census. There were 78 males and 66 females in 69 dwellings.[12] 2.1% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 63.2 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 12 people (8.5%) aged under 15 years, 9 (6.4%) aged 15 to 29, 57 (40.4%) aged 30 to 64, and 66 (46.8%) aged 65 or older.[11]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 95.7% European (Pākehā), 6.4% Māori, 2.1% Pasifika, and 2.1% Asian. English was spoken by 97.9%, Māori language by 2.1%, and other languages by 8.5%. No language could be spoken by 2.1% (e.g. too young to talk). The percentage of people born overseas was 21.3, compared with 28.8% nationally.[11]
Religious affiliations were 29.8% Christian, and 2.1% Buddhist. People who answered that they had no religion were 61.7%, and 4.3% of people did not answer the census question.[11]
Of those at least 15 years old, 30 (23.3%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 78 (60.5%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 24 (18.6%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $25,900, compared with $41,500 nationally. 6 people (4.7%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 30 (23.3%) people were employed full-time, 30 (23.3%) were part-time, and 3 (2.3%) were unemployed.[11]