Ngongotahā

{{short description|Suburb of Rotorua, New Zealand}} {{pp-protected|small=yes}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2022}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=December 2020}} {{Infobox settlement | name = Ngongotahā | native_name = | native_name_lang =  | settlement_type = Suburb | image_skyline = | image_alt = | image_caption = | etymology = | nickname = | mapframe = yes | mapframe-zoom = 10 | coordinates = {{Coord|-38.083|176.214|display=it}} | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = New Zealand | subdivision_type1 = Region | subdivision_name1 = Bay of Plenty | subdivision_type2 = Local authority | subdivision_name2 = Rotorua Lakes District

| subdivision_type3 = Ward | subdivision_name3 = {{ubl|Te Ipu Wai Auraki General Ward|Rotorua Rural General Ward}} | leader_title = Territorial authority | leader_name = Rotorua Lakes Council | leader_title1 = Regional council | leader_name1 = Bay of Plenty Regional Council | leader_title2 = Mayor of Rotorua | leader_name2 = {{NZ officeholder data|Rotorua District Mayor|y}} | leader_title3 = Rotorua MP | leader_name3 = {{NZ officeholder data|Rotorua MP|y}} | leader_title4 = Waiariki MP | leader_name4 = {{NZ officeholder data|Waiariki MP|y}} | seat_type = Electorates | seat = {{ubl|Rotorua|Waiariki (Māori)}} | area_footnotes = <ref name="Area"/> | area_total_km2 = 12.91 | elevation_m = | population_as_of = {{NZ population data 2018|||y}} | population_footnotes = {{NZ population data 2018||||y}} | population_total = {{NZ population data 2018|Ngongotaha|y}} | population_density_km2 = auto | postal_code_type = Postcode(s) | postal_code = 3010, 3097 | website =  }} '''Ngongotahā''' is a small settlement on the western shores of Lake Rotorua in the North Island of New Zealand. It is located {{Convert|10|km|abbr=on}} northwest of the Rotorua central business district, and is considered as a suburb of Rotorua.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title=Ngongotahā streetscape |encyclopedia=Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/15006/ngongotaha-streetscape |last=McKinnon |first=Malcolm |date=25 May 2015}}</ref> It is part of the Rotorua functional urban area as defined by Statistics New Zealand.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Functional urban areas – methodology and classification {{!}} Stats NZ |url=https://www.stats.govt.nz/methods/functional-urban-areas-methodology-and-classification |access-date=23 June 2021 |website=www.stats.govt.nz}}</ref> Ngongotahā has a population of {{NZ population data 2018|Ngongotaha|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2018|||y|y||.}}

Its name is derived from a legend of Ihenga, the famous Māori explorer. It is said Īhenga met the Patu-paiarehe on Mount Ngongotahā and was offered a drink from a calabash. ''Ngongo'' means "to drink", and ''tahā'' means "calabash".<ref>{{cite book|author=Cowan, James|year=1925 |title=Fairy Folk Tales of the Maori |publisher=Whitcombe and Tombs Limited|location=New Zealand |url=https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-CowFair-t1-body-d2.html|page=37}}</ref> Ngongotahā is often referred to by locals as the "Sunny side of the Mountain".

==Demographics== Stats NZ describes Ngongotahā as a small urban area, which covers {{Convert|12.91|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 July 2025}}</ref> It had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2018|Ngongotaha|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2018|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Ngongotaha|y}}|R}}/12.91|0}} people per km2.

{{Historical populations|2006|4,062|2013|4,254|2018|4,869|2023|5,124|percentages=pagr|align=left|source=<ref name="Census 2023"/><ref name="Census 2018">{{NZ census 2018|Ngongotahā East (198100), Ngongotahā West (198200) and Ngongotahā South (198400)}}</ref>}} Ngongotahā had a population of 5,124 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 255 people (5.2%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 870 people (20.5%) since the 2013 census. There were 2,481 males, 2,631 females, and 9 people of other genders in 1,857 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%2Bdo1.1242%2B198100%2B198200%2B198400.2023&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> 2.9% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 40.7 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 1,005 people (19.6%) aged under 15 years, 876 (17.1%) aged 15 to 29, 2,226 (43.4%) aged 30 to 64, and 1,014 (19.8%) aged 65 or older.<ref name="Census 2023"/>

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 68.1% European (Pākehā); 43.7% Māori; 6.1% Pasifika; 5.6% Asian; 0.9% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.1% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 96.8%, Māori by 13.9%, Samoan by 0.4%, and other languages by 6.4%. No language could be spoken by 2.2% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.5%. The percentage of people born overseas was 14.2, compared with 28.8% nationally.<ref name="Census 2023"/>

Religious affiliations were 29.5% Christian, 0.8% Hindu, 0.4% Islam, 2.6% Māori religious beliefs, 0.3% Buddhist, 0.6% New Age, and 1.5% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 56.2%, and 8.5% of people did not answer the census question.<ref name="Census 2023"/>

Of those at least 15 years old, 738 (17.9%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 2,337 (56.7%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 1,047 (25.4%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $36,600, compared with $41,500 nationally. 285 people (6.9%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 2,001 (48.6%) full-time, 537 (13.0%) part-time, and 153 (3.7%) 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.1242.2013%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=Ngongotahā (1242)}}</ref>

{{table alignment}} {| class="wikitable defaultright col1left" |+Individual statistical areas |- !Name !! Area (km2) !! Population !! Density (per km2) || Dwellings !! Median age !! Median income |- | Ngongotahā East || 2.87 || 1,980 || 690 || 681 || 41.7 years || $34,900<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_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.198100.2013%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=Ngongotahā East}}</ref> |- | Ngongotahā West || 1.44 || 1,671 || 1,160 || 603 || 37.9 years || $38,100<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_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.198200.2013%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=Ngongotahā West}}</ref> |- | Ngongotahā South || 8.59 || 1,476 || 172 || 573 || 42.5 years || $36,800<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_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.198400.2013%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=Ngongotahā South}}</ref> |- ! New Zealand !! !! !! !! !! style="text-align:right;"|38.1 years !! style="text-align:right;"| $41,500 |}

==Marae== The Ngongotahā area has six marae:

* Te Awawherowhero Marae is affiliated with the Ngāti Whakaue hapū of Ngāti Rautao.<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> * Parawai Marae and its Whatumairangi meeting house are affiliated with the Ngāti Whakaue hapū of Ngāti Tuteaiti and Te Whatumairangi, and Te Ure o Uenukukōpako hapū of Ngāti Te Ngākau and Ngāti Tura.<ref name="tkmentry" /><ref name="maorimaps" /> * Tarimano Marae and Tawakeheimoa meeting house are affiliated with the Ngāti Rangiwewehi hapū of Ngāti Rangiwewehi ki Uta.<ref name="tkmentry" /><ref name="maorimaps" /> In October 2020, the Government committed $4,525,104 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade the marae and nine others, creating an estimated 34 jobs.<ref name="maraepgf">{{cite web |title=Marae Announcements |url=https://www.growregions.govt.nz/assets/funding-announcements/marae-announcements.xlsx |website=growregions.govt.nz |publisher=Provincial Growth Fund |format=Excel |date=9 October 2020}}</ref> * Tārukenga Marae and Te Ngākau meeting house are affiliated with the Ngāti Whakaue hapū of Ngāti Te Ngakau and Ngāti Tura, and Te Ure o Uenukukōpako's hapū of Ngāti Te Ngākau and Ngāti Tura.<ref name="tkmentry" /><ref name="maorimaps" /> * Waikuta Marae and its Rangitunaeke meeting house are affiliated with the Ngāti Whakaue hapū of Ngāti Rangitunaeke.<ref name="tkmentry" /><ref name="maorimaps" /> * Waitetī or Weriweri Marae and its Ngāraranui meeting house are affiliated with the Ngāti Whakaue hapū of Ngāti Ngāraranui, and Te Ure o Uenukukōpako hapū of Ngāti Ngāraranui.<ref name="tkmentry" /><ref name="maorimaps" /> In October 2020, the Government committed $372,420 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade the marae, and create 20 jobs.<ref name="maraepgf" />

==Mount Ngongotahā== Mount Ngongotahā is a {{convert|757|m|ft}} high rhyolite dome. It towers above the suburb and has a gondola to the top where there is a viewing platform, luge and restaurant.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.skyline.co.nz/en/rotorua/ |title= ''Skyline Rotorua'' |publisher= Skyline Rotorua |date= 2019}}</ref>

The Mount Ngongotahā Jubilee Track provides the only walking track to the summit, and passes through a scenic reserve. The first section of the track is through original native forest that has not been logged. One of the features is a rātā tree {{convert|40|m}} tall, and {{convert|1.8|m}} in girth. The original track was cut on Jubilee Day, marking 50 years since the arrival of Captain William Hobson at Waitangi.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mt Ngongotaha Jubilee Track |url=https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/bay-of-plenty/places/mount-ngongotaha-scenic-reserve/things-to-do/mt-ngongotaha-jubilee-track/ |access-date=2022-12-25 |website=Department of Conservation |language=en-nz}}</ref>

Another visitor attraction on the slopes of Mount Ngongotahā is the Wingspan National Bird of Prey Centre. It is a captive breeding facility and visitor centre located in the Ngongotahā Valley. Wingspan undertakes conservation, education and research activities related to birds of prey found in New Zealand, and provides demonstrations of falconry.<ref>{{Cite web |last=James |first=Shauni |date=25 March 2022 |title=Wingspan continues to soar to new heights |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rotorua-daily-post/news/wingspan-national-bird-of-prey-centre-soaring-into-30th-anniversary/CURKZFXHNQCRZL5DENPYEQGK7M/ |access-date=14 June 2022 |website=The New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ}}</ref>

==Sports== The village has strong football (Ngongotaha AFC), rugby league (Ngongotaha Sports & Community Association), rugby union, netball and touch teams.

==Transport== The main road through the village, known as SH 36, runs via Kaharoa and Pyes Pa to Tauranga.

The Rotorua Branch railway runs through Ngongotahā, although this has been unused since the turn of the century. A railway park, operated by a trust and run by volunteers, provides train rides on a scale model steam train and a mini diesel-locomotive on the western side of Ngongotahā near the former line.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rotoruarail.co.nz/Miniature-Railway.html|title=Miniature Railway at Ngongotaha|accessdate=1 December 2015}}</ref>

== Fishing == The Ngongotahā Stream, which flows through the village centre and onward into Lake Rotorua is one of the most heavily fished areas in New Zealand. Specimen rainbow trout and brown trout are regularly taken by fly fishermen. Other nearby streams (Awahou, Waiteti and Hamurana) also offer good fishing.

==Education==

Ngongotaha School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 6 students,<ref name="moe">{{cite web |title=Ministry of Education School Profile |url=https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/find-school/school/profile?school=1852 |website=educationcounts.govt.nz |publisher=Ministry of Education}}</ref> with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|1852|y}} as of {{NZ school roll data|||y|y||.}}<ref name="ero">{{cite web |title=Education Review Office Report |url=https://ero.govt.nz/institution/1852/ngongotaha-school |website=ero.govt.nz |publisher=Education Review Office}}</ref> It opened in 1911.<ref name="official">{{cite web |title=Official School Website |url=http://ngongotaha.school.nz |publisher=Ngongotaha School|access-date=3 July 2025}}</ref>

== Notable people ==

Despite its small size, Ngongotahā has produced a number of famous New Zealanders, including:

*Temuera Morrison, actor *Phillip Orchard, New Zealand international rugby league player (1960s–1970s) *Robert Orchard, New Zealand international rugby league player (1960s–1970s) *Jeremy Paul, Australian international rugby player, a 1999 World Cup winner *Hika Reid, New Zealand international rugby union player 1980–1986 *Ron Russell, Canadian politician

== References == {{Commons category-inline|Mount Ngongotaha}} {{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ngongotaha}} Category:Populated places in the Bay of Plenty Region Category:Populated places on Lake Rotorua Category:Volcanoes of the Bay of Plenty Region Category:Rotorua Volcanic Centre Category:Suburbs of Rotorua