{{Short description|Town in Waikato, New Zealand}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=July 2019}} {{Infobox settlement | name = Tairua | image_skyline = NZ110415 Mount Paku 03.jpg | pushpin_map = New Zealand | coordinates = {{coord|37|00|23|S|175|50|56|E|region:NZ|display=inline,title}} | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = New Zealand | subdivision_type1 = [[Regions of New Zealand|Region]] | subdivision_name1 = Waikato | subdivision_type2 = [[Territorial authority]] | subdivision_name2 = [[Thames-Coromandel District]] | leader_title = Council | leader_name = [[Thames-Coromandel District Council]] | leader_title1 = Regional council | leader_name1 = [[Waikato Regional Council]] | leader_title2 = [[Mayor of Thames-Coromandel]] | leader_name2 = {{NZ officeholder data|Thames-Coromandel District Mayor|y}} | leader_title3 = [[Coromandel (New Zealand electorate)|Coromandel MP]] | leader_name3 = {{NZ officeholder data|Coromandel MP|y}} | leader_title4 = [[Hauraki-Waikato|Hauraki-Waikato MP]] | leader_name4 = {{NZ officeholder data|Hauraki-Waikato MP|y}} | seat_type = Electorates | seat = {{ubl|[[Coromandel (New Zealand electorate)|Coromandel]]|[[Hauraki-Waikato]] (Māori)}} | area_footnotes = <ref name="Area"/> | area_total_km2 = 4.17 | population_as_of = {{NZ population data 2018|||y}} | population_footnotes = {{NZ population data 2018||||y}} | postal_code_type = [[Postcodes in New Zealand|Postcode(s)]] | postal_code = 3508 | established_title = Named | named_for = Tairua translates to Two Tides | image_caption = Tairua from Paku Hill | pushpin_label_position = right | established_date = around 1800 | founder = [[Hongi Hika]] | area_urban_km2 = 5.45 | population_urban = {{NZ population data 2018|Tairua|y}} | population_density_urban_km2 = auto | population_blank1_title = District | population_blank1 = {{NZ population data 2018|Thames-Coromandel district|y}} | population_density_blank1_km2 = auto | utc_offset = +12:00 | timezone_DST = NZDT | utc_offset_DST = +13:00 | area_code = 07 | blank_info_sec2 = Ngāti Hei | blank_name_sec2 = Local [[iwi]] | population_total = 1479 }} '''Tairua''' is a beachside town located on the east coast of the [[Coromandel Peninsula]] in the [[North Island]] of New Zealand in the [[Thames-Coromandel District]]. It is located 150 kilometres (93 miles) east of [[Auckland]] and 125 kilometers (78 miles) north of [[Tauranga]]. It lies at the mouth of the [[Tairua River]] on its north bank and on the small Paku Peninsula.<ref>{{cite book|title=Reed New Zealand Atlas|year=2004|isbn=0-7900-0952-8|editor=Peter Dowling |publisher=Reed Books|pages=map 17}}</ref> As the [[2023 New Zealand census|2023 census]], the town had a permanent population of 1,630. Tairua is a [[Māori language|Māori]] name which translates literally as ''tai'': tides, ''rua'': two.<ref name=WisesTairua>Wises New Zealand Guide, 7th Edition, 1979. p. 412.</ref>

Directly opposite Tairua on the south bank of the river's estuary is the smaller settlement of [[Pauanui]]. The two settlements are 30 kilometres east of [[Thames, New Zealand|Thames]] although the town has closer connections with the sea side resort town [[Whangamatā]]. Several islands lie off the mouth of the river, notably [[Slipper Island]] to the southeast and the [[Aldermen Islands]] 20 kilometres to the east. Mount Paku is an extinct volcano that lies by Tairua Harbour. It was thought to have formed the Alderman Islands.

== History and features == The earliest occupation of the area was once thought to have been by early [[Polynesians|Polynesian]] explorers based on the discovery of a pearl-shell (not native to New Zealand) lure shank found here<ref>[http://magic.lbr.auckland.ac.nz/dbtw-wpd/exec/dbtwpub.dll?BU=http%3A%2F%2Fmagic.lbr.auckland.ac.nz%2Fdbtw-wpd%2Fanthpd%2Fbasic.htm&QF0=Record-ID&QI0=1596&TN=anthpd&MR=50&RF=full&NP=3&AC=QBE_QUERY University of Auckland Library: Anthropology Photographic Archive]</ref> and originally carbon-dated to the 11th century.<ref name=WisesTairua/> Subsequent reassessment of the archaeological site has resulted in dates in the 14th century.<ref>[http://www.cfgheritage.com/2009_14tairuabollards.pdf Archaeological Monitoring at T11/62, The Tairua Site (Report to Heritage New Zealand)]</ref>

In 1769, Lieutenant [[James Cook]] sailed past the coast of Tairua, and named many of the off shore islands after members of his crew and the shapes of the islands.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Heritage |url=https://www.tairua.co.nz/history |access-date=2024-03-08 |website=Tairua Information Centre |language=en-US}}</ref> European settlement first took place in the 1830s.

Early European settlers to the area, in the late 19th century, were primarily drawn by timber stocks (predominantly [[Agathis australis|kauri]]) and gold prospecting.<ref name=TairuaHistory>{{Cite web |url=http://www.thepeninsula.co.nz/tairua/moreinfo.htm |title=Tairua History |access-date=2010-06-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100602150854/http://www.thepeninsula.co.nz/tairua/moreinfo.htm |archive-date=2010-06-02 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

From the late 1960s Tairua has become a holiday destination,<ref name=TairuaHistory/> with major activities including [[game fishing]], [[scuba diving]], and [[surfing]].

Radio Tairua is an independent radio station on frequency 88.3FM, which has broadcast to the area since May 2007.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.radio.tairua.org.nz/home.html |title=Radio Tairua |access-date=2010-06-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100526072130/http://www.radio.tairua.org.nz/home.html |archive-date=2010-05-26 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The local [[Oturu|Oturu Marae]] is located in Tairua. It is a tribal meeting ground for [[Ngāti Maru (Hauraki)|Ngāti Rautao]] and includes the [[Ngatau Wiwi]] meeting house.<ref name="tkmentry">{{cite web|title=Te Kāhui Māngai directory|url= http://www.tkm.govt.nz/ |website=tkm.govt.nz|publisher=[[Te Puni Kōkiri]]}}</ref><ref name="maorimaps">{{cite web |title=Māori Maps |url=https://maorimaps.com/map |website=maorimaps.com |publisher=Te Potiki National Trust}}</ref>

==Demographics== Tairua covers {{Convert|4.17|km2||abbr=on}}<ref name="Area">{{Cite web|title=Stats NZ Geographic Data Service|url=https://datafinder.stats.govt.nz/data/|at=Urban Rural 2023 (generalised)|access-date=3 March 2025}}</ref> and had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Tairua|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Tairua|y}}|R}}/4.17|0}} people per km<sup>2</sup>.

{{Historical populations|2006|1,266|2013|1,227|2018|1,479|2023|1,653|percentages=pagr|align=left|source=<ref name="Census 2018">{{NZ census 2018|Tairua (168100)|tairua|Tairua}}</ref><ref name="Census 2023"/>}} [[File:Tairua.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Mount Paku]] Tairua had a population of 1,653 in the [[2023 New Zealand census]], an increase of 174 people (11.8%) since the [[2018 New Zealand census|2018 census]], and an increase of 426 people (34.7%) since the [[2013 New Zealand census|2013 census]]. There were 813 males and 840 females in 708 dwellings.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_005&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=doTotal%2Bdo1.1143.2023&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_DWD_003|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses}}</ref> 2.2% of people identified as [[LGBTQ|LGBTIQ+]]. The median age was 59.1 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 213 people (12.9%) aged under 15 years, 135 (8.2%) aged 15 to 29, 663 (40.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 645 (39.0%) aged 65 or older.<ref name="Census 2023"/>

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 91.8% [[European New Zealanders|European]] ([[Pākehā]]); 12.2% [[Māori people|Māori]]; 2.7% [[Pasifika New Zealanders|Pasifika]]; 4.5% [[Asian New Zealanders|Asian]]; 0.4% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.2% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 98.5%, Māori language by 1.6%, and other languages by 8.3%. No language could be spoken by 1.1% (e.g. too young to talk). [[New Zealand Sign Language]] was known by 0.4%. The percentage of people born overseas was 21.6, compared with 28.8% nationally.<ref name="Census 2023"/>

Religious affiliations were 29.8% [[Christianity in New Zealand|Christian]], 0.9% [[Hinduism in New Zealand|Hindu]], 0.4% [[Māori religious beliefs]], 0.7% [[Buddhism in New Zealand|Buddhist]], 0.4% [[New Age]], and 1.8% other religions. People who answered that they had [[Irreligion in New Zealand|no religion]] were 56.6%, and 9.6% of people did not answer the census question.<ref name="Census 2023"/>

Of those at least 15 years old, 309 (21.5%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 780 (54.2%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 354 (24.6%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $29,100, compared with $41,500 nationally. 96 people (6.7%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 429 (29.8%) people were employed full-time, 252 (17.5%) were part-time, and 33 (2.3%) were unemployed.<ref name="Census 2023">{{Cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_008&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=hq011%2Bhq010%2Bhq009%2Bhq008%2Bhq007%2Bhq006%2Bhq005%2Bhq004%2Bhq003%2Bhq002%2Bhq001%2Bhq000%2Bws1%2Bsp99%2Bra80%2Bra08%2Bra07%2Bra06%2Bra05%2Bra01%2Bra04%2Bra03%2Bra02%2Bra00%2Brb1%2Bls66%2Bls03%2Bls02%2Bls05%2Bls04%2Bls01%2Beg6%2Beg5%2Beg4%2Beg3%2Beg2%2Beg1%2BbiTotal%2Bbi0%2Bbi1%2BasTotalLG%2Bas4%2Bas3%2Bas2%2Bas1%2Bws4%2Bws3%2Bws2%2Bge3%2Bge2%2Bge1%2Brc%2BasMed%2BegTotal%2BlsTotal%2BgeTotal%2BrbTotal%2BraTotal%2BhqTotal%2BibTotal%2Bib7%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.1143.2013%2B2018%2B2023&to[TIME]=false&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_IND_003&ly[cl]=CEN23_YEAR_001|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses|at=Tairua (1143)}}</ref>

==Climate==

Tairua features an extremely mild [[oceanic climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: Cfb) with no month having an average temperature above 20&nbsp;°C or below 10&nbsp;°C. As a result of this, temperatures above 30&nbsp;°C or below 0&nbsp;°C are almost unheard of with the town being a popular holiday location because of its mild weather, beautiful beaches and rugged hills and mountains. These surrounding hills and mountains also cause the city to see significant rainfall throughout the year, especially in winter which can often lead to flooding and slips which isolate the community (almost annually) for a day or two at a time. This high rainfall also leads to lush temperate rainforest vegetation surrounding the city.

{{Weather box |location = Tairua, New Zealand (1981–2010) |metric first = Y |single line = Y |Jan high C = 24.2 |Feb high C = 24.3 |Mar high C = 22.9 |Apr high C = 20.5 |May high C = 17.6 |Jun high C = 15.4 |Jul high C = 14.7 |Aug high C = 15.3 |Sep high C = 16.7 |Oct high C = 18.4 |Nov high C = 20.5 |Dec high C = 22.3 |year high C = |Jan mean C = 19.4 |Feb mean C = 19.6 |Mar mean C = 18.4 |Apr mean C = 16 |May mean C = 13.1 |Jun mean C = 11.1 |Jul mean C = 10.3 |Aug mean C = 11 |Sep mean C = 12.5 |Oct mean C = 14.1 |Nov mean C = 16.1 |Dec mean C = 17.8 |year mean C = |Jan low C = 14.7 |Feb low C = 15 |Mar low C = 13.9 |Apr low C = 11.5 |May low C = 8.7 |Jun low C = 6.9 |Jul low C = 5.9 |Aug low C = 6.8 |Sep low C = 8.3 |Oct low C = 9.9 |Nov low C = 11.7 |Dec low C = 13.3 |year low C = |precipitation colour = green |Jan precipitation mm = 131 |Feb precipitation mm = 122 |Mar precipitation mm = 189 |Apr precipitation mm = 152 |May precipitation mm = 164 |Jun precipitation mm = 211 |Jul precipitation mm = 184 |Aug precipitation mm = 199 |Sep precipitation mm = 158 |Oct precipitation mm = 121 |Nov precipitation mm = 125 |Dec precipitation mm = 129 |year precipitation mm = |source 1 = NIWA<ref name="climate">{{cite web | url = https://en.climate-data.org/location/108846/ | title = Climate Data and Activities | publisher = NIWA Science | access-date = 15 October 2013}}</ref> |date=August 2010 }}

== Tourism == The town is a resort popular with domestic tourists, especially people who own a [[Bach (New Zealand)|bach]] in the town. It has several beaches around the town that are popular for [[surfing]] and the harbour attracts [[kayaking]] and [[Personal watercraft|jet skiing]]. A pathway allows visitors to walk from the centre of town to the top of Mt Paku.

The area is noted for its fishing, with big [[Arripis trutta|kahawai]], [[Australasian snapper|snapper]] and [[Yellowtail amberjack|kingfish]] being the most prominent fish in the waters surrounding the town.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tairua Fishing Spots |url=https://tairua.net/tairua-fishing-spots/ |access-date=2024-03-10 |website=Tairua.net |language=en-NZ}}</ref> The abundance of rocky islands also make Tairua a popular place for scuba diving and snorkelling. Most diving is done at the [[Aldermen Islands|Alderman Islands]], 20 kilometres from the town and is stated as a marine reserve. Native rainforests are nearby, and areas such as the [[Coromandel Forest Park]] and its Broken Hills are within easy reach of the town.

==Education== Tairua School is a coeducational full primary (years 1–8) school<ref>{{TKI|1975|Tairua School}}</ref> with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|1975|y}} as of {{NZ school roll data|||y|y||.}}

Central Kids Tairua Kindergarten provides early childhood education for children aged 2–5 years.

==Notes== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{Wikivoyage}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20090523075849/http://www.radio.tairua.org.nz/ Radio Tairua 88.3FM] *[http://www.tairua.net/ Tairua.net]

{{Thames-Coromandel District}} {{Authority control}}

[[Category:Thames-Coromandel District]] [[Category:Populated places in Waikato]]