Rotoiti, Bay of Plenty

Rotoiti is described by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement, and covers 5.86 km² (2.26 sq mi)^[4] and had an estimated population of 520 as of June 2025,^[5] with a population density of 89 people per km². Rotoiti is part of the larger Rotoiti-Rotoehu statistical area.^[6]

Rotoiti had a population of 501 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 3 people (0.6%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 93 people (22.8%) since the 2013 census. There were 237 males and 261 females in 162 dwellings.^[9] 0.6% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 41.5 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 102 people (20.4%) aged under 15 years, 90 (18.0%) aged 15 to 29, 219 (43.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 93 (18.6%) aged 65 or older.^[7]

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 38.3% European (Pākehā); 74.9% Māori; 5.4% Pasifika; 1.8% Asian; 0.6% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 1.2% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 95.8%, Māori by 38.9%, and other languages by 3.0%. No language could be spoken by 1.8% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.6%. The percentage of people born overseas was 6.6, compared with 28.8% nationally.^[7]

Religious affiliations were 28.7% Christian, 9.6% Māori religious beliefs, 0.6% New Age, and 1.2% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 52.1%, and 8.4% of people did not answer the census question.^[7]

Of those at least 15 years old, 87 (21.8%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 216 (54.1%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 105 (26.3%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $41,300, compared with $41,500 nationally. 42 people (10.5%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 198 (49.6%) full-time, 63 (15.8%) part-time, and 18 (4.5%) unemployed.^[7]

The Rotoiti area has seven marae:

• Punawhakareia Marae and Uenuku mai Rarotonga meeting house is a meeting place of the Ngāti Pikiao hapū of Ngāti Te Rangiunuora.^[10][11]
• Ruato Marae or Te Hiukura Marae and Ngā Pūmanawa e Waru meeting house is a meeting place of Ngāti Rongomai.^[10][11]
• Tapuaekura a Hatupatu Marae and meeting house is a meeting place of Ngāti Rongomai.^[10][11]
• Tapuaeharuru Marae and Uruika meeting house is a meeting place of the Ngāti Pikiao hapū of Ngāti Kawiti and Ngāti Tamateatutahi.^[10][11]
• Taurua Marae and Te Rangiunuora meeting house is a meeting place of the Ngāti Pikiao hapū of Ngāti Te Rangiunuora.^[10][11]
• Te Waiiti Marae and Hinekura meeting house is a meeting place of Ngāti Rongomai and the Ngāti Pikiao hapū of Ngāti Hinekura.^[10][11]
• Waikōhatu Marae and Tarāwhai meeting house is a meeting place of the Ngāti Tarāwhai hapū of Ngāti Rangitakaroro.^[10][11]

In October 2020, the Government committed $4,525,104 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade Taurua Marae and nine others, creating an estimated 34 jobs. It committed $2,984,246 to upgrade Punawhakareia Marae, Ruato Marae, Tapuaekura a Hatupatu Marae, Tapuaeharuru Marae, Te Waiiti Marae and Te Awhe o te Rangi Marae, creating 20 jobs. Another $499,993 was committed to upgrading Waikōhatu Marae, creating 25 jobs.^[12]

Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Rotoiti is a co-educational state Māori language immersion primary school,^[13] with a roll of 40 as of October 2025.^[14]

Rotoiti School, a native school, was established at Tāheke on the northwestern side of Lake Rotoiti in 1871.^[15] It was destroyed by fire in 1886, and lessons were held at a hall until a new school was built in 1890. That closed about 1892, and the building was later moved to Te Ngae.^[16] A school was moved from Tapuaeharuru to Wai-iti (both part of the current Rotoiti settlement) in 1904.^[17] Mention of Rotoiti School date from 1924^[18] and references to Waiiti School continue to 1950,^[19] so these appear to be distinct schools.