# Whangapoua

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Place in Waikato, New Zealand

Whangapoua Aerial overview of Whangapoua Interactive map of Whangapoua Coordinates: 36°42′49″S 175°36′54″E / 36.71361°S 175.61500°E / -36.71361; 175.61500 Country New Zealand Region Waikato District Thames-Coromandel District Ward Mercury Bay ward Community Board Mercury Bay Community Electorates Coromandel Hauraki-Waikato (Māori) Government • Council Thames-Coromandel District Council • Regional council Waikato Regional Council • Mayor of Thames-Coromandel Peter Revell[3] • Coromandel MP Scott Simpson[4] • Hauraki-Waikato MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke[5] Area [1] • Total 0.74 km2 (0.29 sq mi) Population (June 2025)[2] • Total 100 • Density 140/km2 (350/sq mi)

**Whangapoua** is a small settlement of mostly holiday houses located on the [Coromandel Peninsula](/source/Coromandel_Peninsula) of [New Zealand](/source/New_Zealand). It is situated 25 minutes drive east over the [Coromandel Range](/source/Coromandel_Range) from [Coromandel](/source/Coromandel%2C_New_Zealand) along the northeastern coastline encompassing popular white sand beaches [New Chums Beach](/source/New_Chums_Beach), [Matarangi](/source/Matarangi), Kuaotunu Beach and [Otama Beach](/source/Otama_Beach).

Amenities in Whangapoua include a small wharf and boat ramp, and a general store that also supplies petrol and [diesel](/source/Diesel_fuel). The nearby estuary provides further water access for boats. Whangapoua Beach is a safe 1.5km long sandy swimming beach flanked in the north by the rocky foreshore towards Motuto Point and by Te Rehutae Point in the southeast.

The northern end of Whangapoua Beach is the starting point of a partly unformed track to New Chums Beach - that beach is only accessible via this track at low tide or by boat. The nearest school is in [Te Rerenga](/source/Te_Rerenga).

## History

Whangapoua's [Māori](/source/M%C4%81ori_people) history dates back to the 13th century. A reserve at Opera Point, east of Whangapoua, contains the remains of the Raukawa pa site. European settlers started arriving in the 1860s, drawn to the area chiefly for kauri milling and gold mining.

Today, Whangapoua is spread along behind the beach and consists of about 120 permanent residents,[6] but can swell to over 1000 with holiday residents during the most popular holiday period from late December to February.

## Demographics

Whangapoua is described by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement. It covers 0.74 km2 (0.29 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 100 as of June 2025,[2] with a population density of 135 people per km2. Whangapoua is part of the larger [Mercury Bay North statistical area](/source/Te_Rerenga#Demographics).[7]

‹ The [template](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Template) *[Historical populations](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Historical_populations)* is being [considered for merging](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Templates_for_discussion/Log/2026_June_24#Template:Infobox_demographics). ›

Historical population Year Pop. ±% p.a. 2006 54 — 2013 42 −3.53% 2018 75 +12.30% 2023 84 +2.29% Source: [8][9]

Whangapoua had a population of 84 in the [2023 New Zealand census](/source/2023_New_Zealand_census), an increase of 9 people (12.0%) since the [2018 census](/source/2018_New_Zealand_census), and an increase of 42 people (100.0%) since the [2013 census](/source/2013_New_Zealand_census). There were 42 males and 39 females in 51 dwellings.[10] 3.6% of people identified as [LGBTIQ+](/source/LGBTQ). The median age was 57.9 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 12 people (14.3%) aged under 15 years, 6 (7.1%) aged 15 to 29, 33 (39.3%) aged 30 to 64, and 30 (35.7%) aged 65 or older.[9]

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 89.3% [European](/source/European_New_Zealanders) ([Pākehā](/source/P%C4%81keh%C4%81)), 17.9% [Māori](/source/M%C4%81ori_people), 3.6% [Pasifika](/source/Pasifika_New_Zealanders), and 7.1% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 100.0%, Māori language by 10.7%, and other languages by 10.7%. The percentage of people born overseas was 7.1, compared with 28.8% nationally.[9]

Religious affiliations were 35.7% [Christian](/source/Christianity_in_New_Zealand), and 3.6% other religions. People who answered that they had [no religion](/source/Irreligion_in_New_Zealand) were 53.6%, and 10.7% of people did not answer the census question.[9]

Of those at least 15 years old, 18 (25.0%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 42 (58.3%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 15 (20.8%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $33,600, compared with $41,500 nationally. 6 people (8.3%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 27 (37.5%) people were employed full-time, 3 (4.2%) were part-time, and 6 (8.3%) were unemployed.[9]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Area_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Area_1-1) ["Stats NZ Geographic Data Service"](https://datafinder.stats.govt.nz/data/). Urban Rural 2023 (generalised). Retrieved 22 February 2025.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-NZ_population_data_2018_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-NZ_population_data_2018_2-1) ["Subnational population estimates - Aotearoa Data Explorer"](https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/?fs%5b0%5d=Society%2C1%7CPopulation%20estimates%23CAT_POPULATION_ESTIMATES%23%7CSubnational%20population%20estimates%23CAT_SUBNATIONAL_POPULATION_ESTIMATES%23&pg=0&bp=true&snb=10&isAvailabilityDisabled=false). [Statistics New Zealand](/source/Statistics_New_Zealand). Retrieved 29 October 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Declaration of Results of Election and Poll"](https://www.tcdc.govt.nz/files/assets/public/v/1/our-council/public-notices/governance-pn/thames-coromandel-district-council-declaration-notice-tcdc.pdf) (PDF), *www.tcdc.govt.nz*, Thames-Coromandel District Council, 17 October 2025

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Coromandel - Official Result"](https://www.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2020/electorate-details-07.html). [Electoral Commission](/source/Electoral_Commission_(New_Zealand)). Retrieved 27 February 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Hauraki-Waikato – Official Result"](https://archive.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2023/electorate-details-66.html). New Zealand Electoral Commission. Retrieved 27 February 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Shenagh Gleeson (5 July 2012). ["Coromandel Peninsula Post"](http://www.peninsulapost.co.nz/_literature_119885/5_July_2012). The Peninsula Post. Retrieved 2 March 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** [2018 Census place summary: Mercury Bay North](https://www.stats.govt.nz/tools/2018-census-place-summaries/mercury-bay-north)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Census_2018_8-0)** ["Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census"](https://www.stats.govt.nz/information-releases/statistical-area-1-dataset-for-2018-census-updated-march-2020). Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. 7010612.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Census_2023_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Census_2023_9-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Census_2023_9-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Census_2023_9-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Census_2023_9-4) ["Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses"](https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs%5b0%5d=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df%5bds%5d=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df%5bid%5d=CEN23_TBT_008&df%5bag%5d=STATSNZ&df%5bvs%5d=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.1129.2013%2B2018%2B2023&to%5bTIME%5d=false&ly%5brw%5d=CEN23_TBT_IND_003&ly%5bcl%5d=CEN23_YEAR_001). Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Whangapoua (1129). Retrieved 3 October 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses"](https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs%5b0%5d=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df%5bds%5d=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df%5bid%5d=CEN23_TBT_005&df%5bag%5d=STATSNZ&df%5bvs%5d=1.0&dq=doTotal%2Bdo1.1129.2023&ly%5brw%5d=CEN23_TBT_DWD_003). Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Retrieved 3 October 2024.

v t e Thames-Coromandel District, New Zealand Seat: Thames Populated places Coromandel-Colville Ward Cape Colville Colville Coromandel Kennedy Bay Manaia Motutakapu Mercury Bay Ward Cooks Beach Coroglen Hahei Hot Water Beach Kūaotunu Matarangi New Chums Beach Otama Beach Rings Beach Te Rerenga Whangapoua Whenuakite Whitianga Thames Ward Hikutaia Kauaeranga Valley Kopu Matatoki Ngarimu Bay Puriri Tapu Te Mata Te Puru Thames Thornton Bay Waiomu South West Ward Whangamatā C.B. Onemana Opoutere Whangamata Tairua-Pauanui C.B. Hikuai Pauanui Tairua Islands Aldermen Islands Castle Island Mahurangi Island / Goat Island Mercury Islands Motueka Island / Pigeon Island Motukawao Islands Poikeke Island Slipper Island Whanganui Island Geographic features Cape Colville Castle Rock Cathedral Cove / Te Whanganui-A-Hei Colville Channel Firth of Thames Hauraki Gulf Kauaeranga Valley Mercury Bay Moehau Range Thames Valley Whangapoua Harbour Facilities and attractions Coromandel Forest Park Driving Creek Railway Hauraki Rail Trail Kopu Bridge Pauanui Aerodrome Siamese Kauri Square Kauri Thames Aerodrome Thames railway station Thames School of Mines Whangamata Beach Hop Whitianga Aerodrome Whitianga Festival of Speed Government District Council Mayor Regional Council Organisations The Mercury Bay Informer Ngāti Rongoū Thames High School

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Whangapoua](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whangapoua) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whangapoua?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.