# Wharewaka

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Suburb of Taupō, New Zealand

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Suburb in Taupō, New Zealand

Wharewaka Suburb Northern Koura crayfish on the beach at Wharewaka Interactive map of Wharewaka Coordinates: 38°43′54″S 176°04′15″E / 38.73167°S 176.07083°E / -38.73167; 176.07083 Country New Zealand City Taupō Local authority Taupō District Council Electoral ward Taupō General Ward Area [1] • Land 570 ha (1,400 acres) Population (June 2025)[2] • Total 2,250 • Density 390/km2 (1,000/sq mi)

Richmond Heights (Lake Taupō) Wharewaka Maunganamu Waitahanui

**Wharewaka** is a suburb of [Taupō](/source/Taup%C5%8D), New Zealand. It stretches from [Rainbow Point](/source/Rainbow_Point) to [Five Mile Bay](/source/Five_Mile_Bay) on the west side of [State Highway 1](/source/New_Zealand_State_Highway_1). Wharewaka lies on a small point of land next to [Lake Taupō](/source/Lake_Taup%C5%8D) and 1.6 km northwest of the [Taupō Airport](/source/Taup%C5%8D_Airport).

Wharewaka has a large proportion of [holiday homes](/source/Holiday_homes). Recent developments such as the Wharewaka Point Development and the Lakeside development have seen a rise in population[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*].

Wharewaka Point is a busy swimming beach during the summer. It is popular with tourists and locals alike.

Wharewaka is also the location of the Summerset [retirement village](/source/Retirement_village).

After an M5.7 earthquake on 30 November 2022, 170 metres of the shoreline at Wharewaka Point collapsed into the lake.[3]

## Demographics

Wharewaka covers 5.70 km2 (2.20 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 2,250 as of June 2025,[2] with a population density of 395 people per km2.

‹ 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 477 — 2013 714 +5.93% 2018 939 +5.63% 2023 1,614 +11.44% Source: [4][5]

Wharewaka had a population of 1,614 in the [2023 New Zealand census](/source/2023_New_Zealand_census), an increase of 675 people (71.9%) since the [2018 census](/source/2018_New_Zealand_census), and an increase of 900 people (126.1%) since the [2013 census](/source/2013_New_Zealand_census). There were 774 males and 840 females in 663 dwellings.[6] 2.0% of people identified as [LGBTIQ+](/source/LGBTQ). The median age was 52.2 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 258 people (16.0%) aged under 15 years, 153 (9.5%) aged 15 to 29, 651 (40.3%) aged 30 to 64, and 549 (34.0%) aged 65 or older.[4]

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 87.4% [European](/source/European_New_Zealanders) ([Pākehā](/source/P%C4%81keh%C4%81)); 10.6% [Māori](/source/M%C4%81ori_people); 2.2% [Pasifika](/source/Pasifika_New_Zealanders); 8.0% [Asian](/source/Asian_New_Zealanders); 0.6% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 3.0% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 97.6%, Māori by 2.8%, and other languages by 8.4%. No language could be spoken by 1.9% (e.g. too young to talk). [New Zealand Sign Language](/source/New_Zealand_Sign_Language) was known by 0.4%. The percentage of people born overseas was 21.2, compared with 28.8% nationally.[4]

Religious affiliations were 34.9% [Christian](/source/Christianity_in_New_Zealand), 2.2% [Hindu](/source/Hinduism_in_New_Zealand), 0.2% [Islam](/source/Islam_in_New_Zealand), 0.4% [Māori religious beliefs](/source/M%C4%81ori_religious_beliefs), 0.2% [Buddhist](/source/Buddhism_in_New_Zealand), 0.4% [New Age](/source/New_Age), and 1.7% other religions. People who answered that they had [no religion](/source/Irreligion_in_New_Zealand) were 51.1%, and 8.9% of people did not answer the census question.[4]

Of those at least 15 years old, 318 (23.5%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 744 (54.9%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 288 (21.2%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $40,600, compared with $41,500 nationally. 210 people (15.5%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 573 (42.3%) full-time, 174 (12.8%) part-time, and 18 (1.3%) unemployed.[4]

## 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/). Statistical Area 2 2023 (generalised). Retrieved 22 May 2025.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-NZ_population_data_2023_SA2_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-NZ_population_data_2023_SA2_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)** Martin, Matthew (14 December 2022). ["Taupō earthquake: more than 680 aftershocks, 30 landslides and a beach that vanished overnight"](https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300764974/taup-earthquake-more-than-680-aftershocks-30-landslides-and-a-beach-that-vanished-overnight). Stuff.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Census_2023_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Census_2023_4-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Census_2023_4-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Census_2023_4-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Census_2023_4-4) ["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.189400.2013%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. Wharewaka (189400). Retrieved 3 October 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Census_2018_5-0)** ["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. Wharewaka (189400). [2018 Census place summary: Wharewaka](https://www.stats.govt.nz/tools/2018-census-place-summaries/wharewaka)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["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%2Bdo1.189400.2023&ly%5brw%5d=CEN23_TBT_DWD_003). Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Retrieved 3 October 2024.

## External links

- [Wharewaka Point](http://www.Wharewaka.co.nz) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20081002024509/http://wharewaka.co.nz/) 2 October 2008 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

- [Zoom In map](http://www.zoomin.co.nz/map/nz/taupo/wharewaka/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20110716185901/http://www.zoomin.co.nz/map/nz/taupo/wharewaka/) 16 July 2011 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

- [Government stats](http://www.stats.govt.nz/Census/2006CensusHomePage/QuickStats/AboutAPlace/SnapShot.aspx?id=3541316&type=au&ParentID=1000003&expand=2000021&scrollLeft=0&scrollTop=426&ss=y)

v t e Taupō District, New Zealand Seat: Taupō Populated places Mangakino-Pouakani Ātiamuri Mangakino Marotiri Mokai Ohakuri Waihāhā Whakamaru Taupō City Five Mile Bay Kinloch Taupō Acacia Bay Hilltop Nukuhau Rainbow Point Rangatira Park Richmond Heights Tauhara Taupō Central Waipahihi Wharewaka Waitahanui Taupō East Rural Iwitahi Oruanui Opepe Rangitaiki Rotokawa Taharua Two Mile Bay Wairakei Turangi-Tongariro Hatepe Kuratau Motuoapa Motutere Omori Otukou Paka Bay Pukawa Rangipo Tauranga Taupō Tokaanu Tūrangi Waihi Village Whareroa Village Geographic features Acacia Bay Craters of the Moon Huka Falls Kaimanawa Range Mount Tauhara Motutaiko Island Pākā Bay Te Poporo / Bulli Point Lakes Rotoaira Rotopounamu Taupō Rivers Hautapu Hinemaiaia Kaipo Kuratau Mangatainoka Mōhaka Ōamaru Otamatea Rangitaiki Ripia Taharua Tauranga Taupō Tongariro Waihāhā Waimarino Waiotaka Waipakihi Wairakei Waitahanui Wheao Facilities and attractions Huka Prawn Park Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tāne Conservation Park Power stations Aratiatia Kuratau Mokai Ohaaki Rotokawa Te Mihi Wairakei Government District Council Mayor Waikato Regional Council Bay of Plenty Regional Council Hawke's Bay Regional Council Organisations Ngāti Tūwharetoa

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