# Whangara

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Town in Gisborne District, New Zealand

Whangara Whāngārā (Māori) Town Carving of Paikea at Whāngārā Marae Interactive map of Whangara Coordinates: 38°34′14″S 178°13′45″E / 38.57056°S 178.22917°E / -38.57056; 178.22917 Country New Zealand Region Gisborne District Ward Tairāwhiti General Ward Electorates East Coast Ikaroa-Rāwhiti (Māori) Government • Territorial authority Gisborne District Council • Mayor of Gisborne Rehette Stoltz[1] • East Coast MP Dana Kirkpatrick[2] • Ikaroa-Rāwhiti MP Cushla Tangaere-Manuel[3] Area [4] • Total 74.05 km2 (28.59 sq mi) Population (2023 Census)[5] • Total 159 • Density 2.15/km2 (5.56/sq mi) Time zone UTC+12 (NZST) • Summer (DST) UTC+13 (NZDT) Area code 06

**Whangara** ([Māori](/source/M%C4%81ori_language): *Whāngārā* [\[ˈfaː.ŋaː.ɾaː\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/M%C4%81ori)) is a small community in the northeast of [New Zealand](/source/New_Zealand)'s [North Island](/source/North_Island),[6] located between [Gisborne](/source/Gisborne%2C_New_Zealand) and [Tolaga Bay](/source/Tolaga_Bay), five kilometres southwest of [Gable End Foreland](/source/Gable_End_Foreland) and two kilometres east of [State Highway 35](/source/New_Zealand_State_Highway_35).

The settlement features prominently in the early history of the [Ngāti Porou](/source/Ng%C4%81ti_Porou) [iwi](/source/Iwi),[7] as the site where Tamatea, captain of the [Tākitimu](/source/T%C4%81kitimu) canoe settled on arriving in New Zealand. Canoe races were held at nearby Pikopiko-i-whiti, with the people watching from a hill called Puke-hapopo. The place name may be cognate with Fa'ara on [Taha'a](/source/Taha'a) island in [French Polynesia](/source/French_Polynesia).[8]

Whangara was the location and setting for [Witi Ihimaera](/source/Witi_Ihimaera)'s novel *[The Whale Rider](/source/The_Whale_Rider)* and its [film adaptation](/source/Whale_Rider).[9]

## Demographics

Whangara and its surrounds cover 74.05 km2 (28.59 sq mi).[4] It is part of the [Wharekaka statistical area](/source/Tolaga_Bay#Wharekaka_statistical_area).[10]

‹ 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 150 — 2013 135 −1.49% 2018 147 +1.72% 2023 159 +1.58% Source: [5][11]

Whangara had a population of 159 in the [2023 New Zealand census](/source/2023_New_Zealand_census), an increase of 12 people (8.2%) since the [2018 census](/source/2018_New_Zealand_census), and an increase of 24 people (17.8%) since the [2013 census](/source/2013_New_Zealand_census). There were 66 males and 93 females in 54 dwellings.[12] 1.9% of people identified as [LGBTIQ+](/source/LGBTQ). The median age was 35.7 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 48 people (30.2%) aged under 15 years, 21 (13.2%) aged 15 to 29, 69 (43.4%) aged 30 to 64, and 24 (15.1%) aged 65 or older.[5]

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 47.2% [European](/source/European_New_Zealanders) ([Pākehā](/source/P%C4%81keh%C4%81)), 67.9% [Māori](/source/M%C4%81ori_people), and 7.5% [Pasifika](/source/Pasifika_New_Zealanders). English was spoken by 94.3%, Māori by 34.0%, and other languages by 1.9%. No language could be spoken by 1.9% (e.g. too young to talk). The percentage of people born overseas was 7.5, compared with 28.8% nationally.[5]

Religious affiliations were 32.1% [Christian](/source/Christianity_in_New_Zealand), and 3.8% [Māori religious beliefs](/source/M%C4%81ori_religious_beliefs). People who answered that they had [no religion](/source/Irreligion_in_New_Zealand) were 52.8%, and 11.3% of people did not answer the census question.[5]

Of those at least 15 years old, 27 (24.3%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 63 (56.8%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 24 (21.6%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $41,000, compared with $41,500 nationally. 12 people (10.8%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 51 (45.9%) full-time, 24 (21.6%) part-time, and 6 (5.4%) unemployed.[5]

## Parks

Te Tapuwae o Rongokako Marine Reserve is a [marine reserve](/source/Marine_reserve) covering 2,450 hectares of coastline south of Whangara, which is managed by the [Department of Conservation](/source/Department_of_Conservation_(New_Zealand)).[13] The name means "The footprints of [Rongokako](/source/Rongokako)," referring to an ancestor of [Ngati Kahungunu](/source/Ngati_Kahungunu) who is said to have left a footprint at the site.[14][15]

## Marae

The local Whāngārā Marae is a [meeting place](/source/Marae) for the [Ngāti Porou](/source/Ng%C4%81ti_Porou) [hapū](/source/Hap%C5%AB) of [Ngāti Konohi](/source/Ng%C4%81ti_Konohi).[6][16] It includes 2 [wharenui](/source/Wharenui), known as Whitirēia and Waho Te Rangi.[17]

In October 2020, the Government committed $49,626 from the [Provincial Growth Fund](/source/Provincial_Growth_Fund) to upgrade the marae, creating an estimated 3.4 jobs.[18]

## Education

Whangara School is a Year 1–8 co-educational state primary school[19] with a roll of 85 students as of March 2026.[20][21][22] Whangara [Native School](/source/Native_schools) opened in 1902, and was rebuilt in 1945 after a fire.[23]

View overlooking Whangara

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Election results"](https://www.gdc.govt.nz/council/2025-elections/results). Gisborne District Council. 17 October 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["East Coast - Official Result"](https://www.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2023/electorate-details-09.html). [Electoral Commission](/source/Electoral_Commission_(New_Zealand)). Retrieved 1 June 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Ikaroa-Rāwhiti – Official Result"](https://electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2023/electorate-details-67.html). New Zealand Electoral Commission. Retrieved 28 July 2025.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Area_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Area_4-1) ["Stats NZ Geographic Data Service"](https://datafinder.stats.govt.nz/data/). Statistical Area 1 2023 (generalised). Retrieved 17 August 2025.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Census_2023_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Census_2023_5-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Census_2023_5-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Census_2023_5-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Census_2023_5-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-Census_2023_5-5) ["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_012&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.7015499.2013%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. 7015499. Retrieved 3 October 2024.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-teara_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-teara_6-1) Soutar, Monty (30 March 2015). ["Story: East Coast places"](https://teara.govt.nz/en/east-coast-places/page-5). *Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand*. Retrieved 5 April 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** [Chapter 1: Mohena Kohere's antecedents](https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-KohStor-t1-body-d1.html), in *The Story of a Maori Chief*, by Reweti T. Kohere. Reed Publishing (NZ) Ltd, 1949. Part of the New Zealand Texts Collection, New Zealand Electronic Text Centre, Victoria University. Retrieved 27 November 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Best_8-0)** Best, Elsdon (1917). "Some place names of islands of the Society Group". *Journal of the Polynesian Society*. **26** (3): 112.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Sheila Johnston. [Riding the crest of the whale](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/3597954/Riding-the-crest-of-the-whale.html), *telegraph.co.uk*, 5 July 2003. Retrieved 27 November 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Geographic Boundary Viewer"](https://statsnz.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/sidebar/index.html?appid=3a406ce8fbb14367ab5caae21c07ab8b). Stats NZ. Statistical Area 1 – 2023 and Statistical Area 2 – 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Census_2018_11-0)** ["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. 7015499.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["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_009&df%5bag%5d=STATSNZ&df%5bvs%5d=1.0&dq=doTotal%2Bdo1.7015499.2023&ly%5brw%5d=CEN23_TBT_DWD_003). Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Retrieved 3 October 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-DOCparks_13-0)** ["DOC Places to Go - East Coast"](https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/east-coast/). *doc.govt.nz*. [Department of Conservation](/source/Department_of_Conservation_(New_Zealand)).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Mitchell, J. H. (2014). [*Takitimu: A History of Ngati Kahungunu*](https://books.google.com/books?id=5vm_oAEACAAJ). Libro International. p. 55. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-877514-72-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-877514-72-2).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** Royal, Te Ahukaramū Charles (2007). ["Stories of people and land"](https://teara.govt.nz/en/papatuanuku-the-land/page-7). *Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand*. Retrieved 31 December 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-tkmentry_16-0)** ["Te Kāhui Māngai directory"](http://www.tkm.govt.nz/). *tkm.govt.nz*. [Te Puni Kōkiri](/source/Te_Puni_K%C5%8Dkiri).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-maorimaps_17-0)** ["Māori Maps"](https://maorimaps.com/map). *maorimaps.com*. Te Potiki National Trust.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-maraepgf_18-0)** ["Marae Announcements"](https://www.growregions.govt.nz/assets/funding-announcements/marae-announcements.xlsx) (Excel). *growregions.govt.nz*. [Provincial Growth Fund](/source/Provincial_Growth_Fund). 9 October 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-official_19-0)** ["Official School Website"](http://www.whangara.school.nz). *whangara.school.nz*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-NZ_school_roll_data_20-0)** ["New Zealand Schools Directory"](https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/data-services/directories/list-of-nz-schools). New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 1 March 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-moe_21-0)** ["Ministry of Education School Profile"](https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/find-school/school/profile?district=28&region=5&school=2736). *educationcounts.govt.nz*. [Ministry of Education](/source/Ministry_of_Education_(New_Zealand)).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ero_22-0)** ["Education Review Office Report"](https://www.ero.govt.nz/institution/2736/whangara-school). *ero.govt.nz*. [Education Review Office](/source/Education_Review_Office).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** ["History"](https://whangaraschool.nz/history/). Whangara School. Retrieved 17 August 2025.

## External links

- [1949 photograph of Whangara](https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/KohStor-fig-KohStorP002a.html)

v t e Gisborne District, New Zealand Seat: Gisborne Central Populated places Gisborne City Awapuni Elgin Gisborne Central Kaiti Makaraka Mangapapa Okitū Riverdale Tamarau Te Hāpara Victoria Wainui Beach Whataupoko Towns and rural areas Akuaku Anaura Bay East Cape Hexton Hicks Bay Hiruharama Horoera Mākaraka Manutūkē Muriwai Mātāwai Mōtū Ngātapa Ormond Otoko Potaka Puha Pātūtahi Rangitukia Rere Ruatoria Te Araroa Te Karaka Te Puia Springs Tikapa Tikitiki Tiniroto Tokomaru Bay Tolaga Bay Waihīrere Waimatā Waipiro Bay Waituhi Whangara Whareponga Wharerātā Whatatutu Geographic features Aorangiwai River Mount Arowhana Awatere River East Cape Gable End Foreland Hangaroa River Mount Hikurangi Hikuwai River Ihungia River Kaiaua Bay Karakatūwhero River Kōpuapounamu River Koranga River Mangahauini River Mangaheia River Mangapōike River Mangaoparo River Mangatokerau River Mangatū River Maraehara River Maraetaha River Mata River Mōtū River Motuoroi Island Maungahaumi Nūhaka River Orutua River Pakarae River Poroporo River Pouawa River Pourewa Island Poverty Bay Mount Raukūmara Raukūmara Range Ruakituri River Tapuaeroa River Taruheru River Taurangakautuku River Te Ārai River Titirangi Hill Tohoratea River Tuaheni Point Tūranganui River Ūawa River Waiapu River Waiau River Waiapu Valley Waihora River Waihuka River Waikohu River Waikura River (Hangaroa) Waikura River (Raukokore) Waimata River Waingaromia River Waiomoko River Waiorongomai River Waipaoa River Waitahaia River Whangaokeno / East Island Whangaparāoa River Wharekahika River Wharekōpae River Wherowhero Lagoon Young Nick's Head Facilities and attractions East Cape Lighthouse Eastwoodhill Arboretum Gisborne Airport Gisborne Botanical Gardens Gisborne City Vintage Railway Gisborne Railway Station Hackfalls Arboretum Harry Barker Reserve Mangahanea Marae Raukūmara Conservation Park Te Puia Springs Te Urewera protected area Whakarua Park Schools Campion College Gisborne Boys' High School Gisborne Girls' High School Gisborne Intermediate School Lytton High School Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngā Taonga Tūturu ki Tokomaru Sports East Coast Rugby Gisborne City Football Gisborne Thistle Football Poverty Bay Rugby Government Gisborne District Council Mayor Matakaoa County Matakaoa Ward Uawa County Waiapu County Waiapu Ward Waikohu County

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