Whangarei District

Summary

Whangarei District is a territorial authority district in the Northland Region of New Zealand that is governed by the Whangarei District Council. The district is made up in area largely by rural land, and includes a fifth of the Northland Region. It extends southwards to the southern end of Bream Bay, northwards to Whangaruru and almost to the Bay of Islands, and westwards up the Mangakahia River valley past Pakotai and almost to Waipoua Forest. It includes the Hen and Chicken Islands and the Poor Knights Islands.

Whangarei District
Mt Lion at the Whangarei Heads as viewed from Mt Manaia
Mt Lion at the Whangarei Heads as viewed from Mt Manaia
CountryNew Zealand
RegionNorthland
DistrictWhangarei District Council
WardsMāori
Bream Bay
Hikurangi-Coastal
Mangakahia-Maungatapere
Whangārei Heads
Whangārei Urban
Local hapūNgāti Hine
Ngāti Wai
Patuharakeke
Te Parawhau
SeatWhangārei
Government
 • MayorVince Cocurullo[1]
 • Deputy MayorPhil Halse [2]
 • Territorial authorityWhangarei District Council
Area
 • Total2,855 km2 (1,102 sq mi)
 • Land2,712.13 km2 (1,047.16 sq mi)
Population
 • Estimate 
(June 2023)
101,900
Postcode(s)
Map of postcodes

The principal urban area and district seat is the city of Whangārei. Other towns include Hūkerenui, Hikurangi, Titoki, Portland, Ruakākā and Waipu. The district population was 101,900 in June 2023.[4]

The district contains beaches such as Ngunguru, game fishing at Tutukaka, a variety of beaches along Whangārei Harbour, as well as Matakohe or Limestone Island in the Harbour, now subject to ecological restoration. The main airport for the district is Whangarei Airport.

Demographics edit

Whangarei District covers 2,712.13 km2 (1,047.16 sq mi)[5] and had an estimated population of 101,900 as of June 2023,[4] with a population density of 38 people per km2.

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
200674,463—    
201376,995+0.48%
201890,960+3.39%
Source: [6]

Whangarei District had a population of 90,960 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 13,965 people (18.1%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 16,497 people (22.2%) since the 2006 census. There were 32,745 households. There were 44,583 males and 46,374 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.96 males per female. The median age was 41.4 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 19,119 people (21.0%) aged under 15 years, 15,132 (16.6%) aged 15 to 29, 39,381 (43.3%) aged 30 to 64, and 17,328 (19.1%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 77.0% European/Pākehā, 30.1% Māori, 3.9% Pacific peoples, 4.9% Asian, and 1.8% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 17.0, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people objected to giving their religion, 52.1% had no religion, 34.5% were Christian, 2.6% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.8% were Hindu, 0.2% were Muslim, 0.6% were Buddhist and 1.9% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 11,766 (16.4%) people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 14,673 (20.4%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $27,500, compared with $31,800 nationally. 9,699 people (13.5%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 32,430 (45.1%) people were employed full-time, 10,353 (14.4%) were part-time, and 3,354 (4.7%) were unemployed.[6]

Individual wards, using 2018 boundaries (since changed)
Name Area (km2) Population Density (per km2) Households Median age Median income
Mangakahia-Maungatapere Ward 579.60 6,687 11.54 2,304 43.7 years $34,600
Hikurangi-Coastal Ward 989.22 13,626 13.77 4,686 42.6 years $30,300
Whangarei Heads Ward 271.63 7,248 26.68 2,646 47.0 years $34,800
Denby Ward 20.21 21,462 1,061.95 7,485 37.5 years $24,300
Okara Ward 31.51 27,453 871.25 10,260 38.7 years $25,400
Bream Bay Ward 819.96 14,478 17.66 5,364 45.3 years $29,100
New Zealand 37.4 years $31,800

Government edit

Whangarei District Council was formed by an amalgamation of Whangarei City Council, Whangarei County Council and Hikurangi Town Council as part of New Zealand's 1989 local government reforms.

There is a district-wide Māori ward and five general wards: Whangārei Urban in the city, Hikurangi-Coastal in the north, Mangakahia-Maungatapere inland to the west, Bream Bay in the south, and Whangārei Heads to the east of the city.

The mayor is Vince Cocurullo.[7]

References edit

  1. ^ "Northland's longest serving politician named Whangārei Deputy Mayor". 16 September 2023.
  2. ^ "Northland's longest serving politician named Whangārei Deputy Mayor". 16 September 2023.
  3. ^ "Whangarei District Quarterly Review" (PDF). Statistics New Zealand. September 2007. p. 13. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 June 2010.
  4. ^ a b c "Subnational population estimates (RC, SA2), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023. (regional councils); "Subnational population estimates (TA, SA2), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023. (territorial authorities); "Subnational population estimates (urban rural), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023. (urban areas)
  5. ^ "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  6. ^ a b "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Whangarei District (002). 2018 Census place summary: Whangarei District
  7. ^ "Mayor and Councillors". Whangarei District Council. Retrieved 16 September 2023.

External links edit

  • Whangarei District Council
  • Official promotional website for Whangarei District

35°43′08″S 174°18′32″E / 35.719°S 174.309°E / -35.719; 174.309