Waitaria Bay
Place in Marlborough, New Zealand
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Waitaria Bay is a locality in the Marlborough region of New Zealand. It lies on the northern side of Kenepuru Sound in the Marlborough Sounds.[6][7]
Waitaria Bay | |
|---|---|
 Interactive map of Waitaria Bay | |
| Coordinates: 41°9′26″S 174°2′54″E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Marlborough |
| Ward |
|
| Electorates | |
| Government | |
| • Territorial Authority | Marlborough District Council |
| • Marlborough District Mayor | Nadine Taylor[1] |
| • Kaikōura MP | Stuart Smith[2] |
| • Te Tai Tonga MP | Tākuta Ferris[3] |
| Area | |
• Total | 232.24 km2 (89.67 sq mi) |
| Population (2023 census)[5] | |
• Total | 165 |
| • Density | 0.710/km2 (1.84/sq mi) |
The town is one of the most isolated in the South Island to have a school. The nearest shop is about 50 minutes drive, the nearest small town, Havelock, is two hours drive, and the nearest main centre, Blenheim, is two and a half hours drive.[8][9]
Demographics
Waitaria Bay locality, which includes Manaroa, Crail Bay and Nopera, covers 232.24 km2 (89.67 sq mi).[4] It is part of the larger Marlborough Sounds East statistical area.[10]
Waitaria Bay had a population of 165 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 12 people (7.8%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 9 people (5.8%) since the 2013 census. There were 90 males and 72 females in 78 dwellings.[12] The median age was 60.6 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 21 people (12.7%) aged under 15 years, 3 (1.8%) aged 15 to 29, 75 (45.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 66 (40.0%) aged 65 or older.[5]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 90.9% European (Pākehā); 3.6% Māori; 1.8% Pasifika; 1.8% Asian; 1.8% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 10.9% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 98.2%, Māori by 1.8%, and other languages by 10.9%. The percentage of people born overseas was 18.2, compared with 28.8% nationally.[5]
Religious affiliations were 27.3% Christian, and 1.8% Māori religious beliefs. People who answered that they had no religion were 52.7%, and 16.4% of people did not answer the census question.[5]
Of those at least 15 years old, 33 (22.9%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 75 (52.1%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 33 (22.9%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $27,600, compared with $41,500 nationally. 15 people (10.4%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 51 (35.4%) full-time and 33 (22.9%) part-time.[5]
Education
Waitaria Bay School is a coeducational full primary (years 1-8) school[13] with a roll of 12 (as of March 2026).[14]. The school opened in 1897 but closed in 1924 as there were no students. It reopened about 1944.[15]
Nopera Bay School opened in 1909.[16] It closed and merged to Waitaria Bay in 1970.[15]