Whareama
Locality
19th century Anglican Church at Whareama
Coordinates: 40°51′29″S 176°02′02″E / 40.858°S 176.034°E / -40.858; 176.034
Country	New Zealand
Region	Wellington Region
Territorial authority	Masterton District
Ward	Masterton/Whakaoriori General Ward Masterton/Whakaoriori Māori Ward
Electorates	Wairarapa Ikaroa-Rāwhiti (Māori)
Government
• Territorial Authority	Masterton District Council
• Regional council	Greater Wellington Regional Council
• Mayor of Masterton	Gary Caffell
• Wairarapa MP	Mike Butterick
• Ikaroa-Rāwhiti MP	Cushla Tangaere-Manuel
Area [1]
• Total	1,596.08 km2 (616.25 sq mi)
Population  (June 2023)[2]
• Total	1,640
• Density	1.0/km2 (2.7/sq mi)

Whareama is a rural area in the Wellington Region of New Zealand's North Island. The Whareama River flows through the area.^[3]

Marae

The community has two marae affiliated with the Ngāti Kahungunu hapū of Ngāi Tumapuhia-a-Rangi: Motuwairaka Marae, which lost its meeting house to fire in 2017, and Ngāi Tumapuhia a Rangi ki Okautete Marae, which is still constructing its meeting house by 2020.^[4][5]

In October 2020, the Government committed $2,179,654 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade both marae, alongside Pāpāwai, Kohunui, Hurunui o Rangi and Te Oreore marae. Together, the upgrades were expected to create 19.8 full time jobs.^[6]

Demographics

Whareama statistical area covers 1,596.08 km² (616.25 sq mi)^[1] and also includes Bideford, Castlepoint, Riversdale Beach, Tauweru, Tīnui and Wainuioru. It had an estimated population of 1,640 as of June 2023,^[2] with a population density of 1.03 people per km².

Whareama had a population of 1,410 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 129 people (10.1%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 120 people (9.3%) since the 2006 census. There were 555 households, comprising 729 males and 681 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.07 males per female. The median age was 43.6 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 291 people (20.6%) aged under 15 years, 204 (14.5%) aged 15 to 29, 726 (51.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 189 (13.4%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 93.0% European/Pākehā, 17.4% Māori, 1.7% Pasifika, 0.6% Asian, and 1.1% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 10.0, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 56.0% had no religion, 35.5% were Christian, 1.1% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.2% were Buddhist and 0.9% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 192 (17.2%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 204 (18.2%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $34,000, compared with $31,800 nationally. 153 people (13.7%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 612 (54.7%) people were employed full-time, 231 (20.6%) were part-time, and 30 (2.7%) were unemployed.^[7]

Education

Whareama School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students,^[8][9] with a roll of 45 as of April 2023.^[10]

References