Waitārere Beach () is a small settlement in the Horowhenua District of the Manawatū-Whanganui region of New Zealand's North Island. It is located on the South Taranaki Bight, 14 kilometres northwest of Levin, and 17 kilometres southwest of Foxton, both distances being by road.

Demographics Waitārere Beach is described by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement and covers . It had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km2. It is part of the larger Waitārere statistical area.

Waitārere Beach had a population of 960 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 219 people (29.6%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 351 people (57.6%) since the 2013 census. There were 477 males, 474 females, and 9 people of other genders in 459 dwellings. 4.4% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 55.0 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 132 people (13.8%) aged under 15 years, 78 (8.1%) aged 15 to 29, 480 (50.0%) aged 30 to 64, and 273 (28.4%) aged 65 or older.

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 92.2% European (Pākehā); 15.3% Māori; 3.1% Pasifika; 0.9% Asian; 0.3% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 3.1% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 97.5%, Māori by 3.8%, Samoan by 0.6%, and other languages by 7.8%. No language could be spoken by 2.2% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.3%. The percentage of people born overseas was 15.0, compared with 28.8% nationally.

Religious affiliations were 30.6% Christian, 0.6% Māori religious beliefs, 0.9% New Age, 0.3% Jewish, and 0.9% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 59.7%, and 7.2% of people did not answer the census question.

Of those at least 15 years old, 189 (22.8%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 444 (53.6%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 198 (23.9%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $38,800, compared with $41,500 nationally. 96 people (11.6%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 357 (43.1%) full-time, 123 (14.9%) part-time, and 18 (2.2%) unemployed.

Waitārere Waitārere statistical area, which also includes part of Koputaroa, covers and had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km2.

Waitārere had a population of 2,463 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 321 people (15.0%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 588 people (31.4%) since the 2013 census. There were 1,233 males, 1,218 females, and 9 people of other genders in 1,035 dwellings. 2.9% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 52.7 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 366 people (14.9%) aged under 15 years, 291 (11.8%) aged 15 to 29, 1,164 (47.3%) aged 30 to 64, and 645 (26.2%) aged 65 or older.

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 86.7% European (Pākehā); 21.3% Māori; 3.5% Pasifika; 2.8% Asian; 0.5% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.9% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 97.6%, Māori by 4.9%, Samoan by 0.4%, and other languages by 6.0%. No language could be spoken by 1.5% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.4%. The percentage of people born overseas was 14.3, compared with 28.8% nationally.

Religious affiliations were 30.0% Christian, 0.1% Hindu, 1.0% Māori religious beliefs, 0.1% Buddhist, 0.6% New Age, 0.1% Jewish, and 0.9% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 58.8%, and 8.4% of people did not answer the census question.

Of those at least 15 years old, 375 (17.9%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 1,179 (56.2%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 543 (25.9%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $38,300, compared with $41,500 nationally. 216 people (10.3%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 954 (45.5%) full-time, 327 (15.6%) part-time, and 45 (2.1%) unemployed.

Climate

Lord of the Rings location

The Waitārere Forest was used as the location of Trollshaw Forest and Osgiliath Wood in The Lord of the Rings Trilogy.

Hydrabad wreck The Hydrabad (1865-1878) was a Scottish cargo vessel that travelled between Australia, England and India, serving for ten shipments before crashing onto Waitārere Beach 600 meters away from the township in 1878 during an intense storm that damaged the ship.

As of 2024 it has been nearly completely buried due to growing dunes. A blue marker has been rooted to indicate its location. Four Square Waitārere The Waitārere Four Square is the only convenience store at Waitārere Beach. In 2008 it was rebuilt following a fire. It also serves as the local NZ Post shop.

Gifts at Waitarere Gifts at Waitarere is a gift shop at Waitārere Beach that opened in 2016, but has since been moved to a new location on Waitarere Beach Road as of 2026. It sells a range of giftware to residents and visitors.

Waitarere Beach Surf Life Saving Club The Waitārere Beach Surf Life Saving Club was established in 1953 to provide patrol services to Waitārere Beach. A new purpose-built building was opened in 2023. It is funded by Surf Life Saving New Zealand, but also relies on membership fees.

Waitarere Progressive Association The Waitarere Beach Progressive & Ratepayers Association (WBPRA) is a local community organization founded in 1945. Its activities are funded by sponsors and annual paid memberships. It publishes a newsletter periodically with local community updates. They hold an annual general meeting once a year which is open to the wider community, but only paid members can vote. The committee members also meet once a month, but residents are permitted to attend.

Waitarere Rise Reserve Society The Waitarere Rise Reserve Society Inc. (WRRSI) is a community organisation composed of residents of the Waitarere Rise Subdivision located at Waitārere Beach. It holds an annual general meeting once a year which are open to the wider community, but only paying members can vote. All residents of the Waitarere Rise are eligible to join the organisation. The organisation holds regular events which are posted on their website.

References