Waipawa

Town in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

Minor urban area in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

Waipawa

Minor urban area

Coordinates: 39°56′S 176°35′E﻿ / ﻿39.933°S 176.583°E﻿ / -39.933; 176.583
Country| New Zealand
Region| Hawke's Bay
Territorial authority| Central Hawke's Bay District
Ward| Ruataniwha
Electorates|

* Wairarapa
* Ikaroa-Rāwhiti (Māori)

Government

• Territorial Authority| Central Hawke's Bay District Council
• Regional council| Hawke's Bay Regional Council
Area

[1]

• Total

| 6.80 km2 (2.63 sq mi)
Population

(June 2024)[2]

• Total

| 2,430
• Density| 360/km2 (930/sq mi)
Postcode(s)|

4210

Waipawa is the second-largest town in Central Hawke's Bay in the east of the North Island of New Zealand. It has a population of 2,430 (June 2024).[2]

The town is located 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) northeast of Waipukurau and 46 km (29 mi) southwest of Hastings, on the northern bank of the Waipawa River, a tributary of the Tukituki River.[3][4] Waipawa was settled in the early 1860s.

It holds the main office of the Central Hawke's Bay District Council, and is New Zealand's oldest inland European settlement.[5]

Frederick Abbot was one of the early settlers[6] and Waipawa was originally called Abbotsford, when the township was being sold in 1859,[7] and there is still a children's home in Waipawa named Abbotsford.[8] However, it was often shown as Abbotsford, Waipawa[9] and Waipawa was more commonly used alone after the opening of the Waipawa railway station and Waipawa Mail in the late 1870s.[10]

A local newspaper, the Waipawa Mail, was published for most of the period from 1878 to 1980. It was one of 45 started by Joseph Ivess. In 1980 it merged to become the CHB Mail,[11] which is now a free weekly paper, published in Waipukurau.[12]

## Demographics

[edit]

Waipawa covers 6.80 km2 (2.63 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 2,430 as of June 2024,[2] with a population density of 357 people per km2.

Historical populationYear| Pop.| ±% p.a.

|
|

2006| 1,926| —
2013| 1,971| +0.33%
2018| 2,085| +1.13%
Source: [13]

Waipawa had a population of 2,085 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 114 people (5.8%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 159 people (8.3%) since the 2006 census. There were 843 households, comprising 990 males and 1,095 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.9 males per female. The median age was 43.3 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 450 people (21.6%) aged under 15 years, 291 (14.0%) aged 15 to 29, 912 (43.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 429 (20.6%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 84.0% European/Pākehā, 25.3% Māori, 3.9% Pacific peoples, 1.7% Asian, and 1.4% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 13.8, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 54.2% had no religion, 32.5% were Christian, 2.3% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.1% were Buddhist and 2.7% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 216 (13.2%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 408 (25.0%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $26,400, compared with $31,800 nationally. 105 people (6.4%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 777 (47.5%) people were employed full-time, 261 (16.0%) were part-time, and 45 (2.8%) were unemployed.[13]

## Marae

[edit]

Waipawa has two marae affiliated with the iwi of Ngāti Kahungunu. The Mataweka Marae and Nohomaiterangi meeting house are affiliated with the hapū of Ngāi Toroiwaho and Ngāti Whatuiāpiti. The Tapairu Marae and Te Rangitahi or Te Whaea o te Katoa meeting house are affiliated with the hapū of Ngāti Mārau o Kahungunu.[14][15]

In October 2020, the Government committed $887,291 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade the two marae and three others, creating 12 jobs.[16]

## Education

[edit]

Waipawa School is a Year 1-8 co-educational state primary school.[17][18] It is a decile 3 school with a roll of 308 as of March 2025.[19][20] The school opened in 1862.[21][22]

Waipawa used to have a secondary school, Waipawa District High School. This was merged in 1959 with Waipukurau District High School to make Central Hawke's Bay College based in Waipukurau.[23]

Waipawa has been home to several youth organisations. Namely, the New Zealand Cadet Forces's ATC branch, as well as a Scouts New Zealand branch. However, since 2000, both major youth organisations have gone into recess.

## Waipawa railway station

[edit]

Main article: Waipawa railway station

Waipawa railway station in 1905

From at least 1870[24] Waipawa was served by mail coaches running between Napier and Waipukurau.[25]

On 6 December 1981 the station closed to passengers, it was an unattended station from 20 November 1983, closed to all but parcels on 18 August 1984 and closed completely on 2 November 1984. By 1987 only a platform and goods shed remained.[26] The platform, goods shed and a single track still remain.[27]

| Former adjoining stations |

|
|

Waipukurau
Line open, station closed
7.52 km (4.67 mi) |   | Palmerston North–Gisborne Line |   | Ōtāne
Line open, station closed
5.81 km (3.61 mi)[28]

## Climate

[edit]

Climate data for Waipawa (1991–2020 normals, extremes 2007–present)

Month  | Jan  | Feb  | Mar  | Apr  | May  | Jun  | Jul  | Aug  | Sep  | Oct  | Nov  | Dec  | Year
Record high °C (°F)  | 35.4
(95.7)  | 36.9
(98.4)  | 30.8
(87.4)  | 27.9
(82.2)  | 26.9
(80.4)  | 23.4
(74.1)  | 19.8
(67.6)  | 23.8
(74.8)  | 25.3
(77.5)  | 30.5
(86.9)  | 29.5
(85.1)  | 30.6
(87.1)  | 36.9
(98.4)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)  | 24.5
(76.1)  | 24.1
(75.4)  | 21.9
(71.4)  | 19.0
(66.2)  | 16.3
(61.3)  | 13.3
(55.9)  | 12.6
(54.7)  | 13.7
(56.7)  | 15.8
(60.4)  | 18.0
(64.4)  | 20.1
(68.2)  | 22.3
(72.1)  | 18.5
(65.2)
Daily mean °C (°F)  | 18.0
(64.4)  | 18.0
(64.4)  | 15.8
(60.4)  | 13.1
(55.6)  | 10.7
(51.3)  | 8.1
(46.6)  | 7.6
(45.7)  | 8.4
(47.1)  | 10.3
(50.5)  | 12.1
(53.8)  | 13.9
(57.0)  | 16.3
(61.3)  | 12.7
(54.8)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)  | 11.5
(52.7)  | 11.8
(53.2)  | 9.6
(49.3)  | 7.2
(45.0)  | 5.0
(41.0)  | 2.8
(37.0)  | 2.5
(36.5)  | 3.1
(37.6)  | 4.8
(40.6)  | 6.3
(43.3)  | 7.8
(46.0)  | 10.3
(50.5)  | 6.9
(44.4)
Record low °C (°F)  | 1.8
(35.2)  | 3.3
(37.9)  | 0.8
(33.4)  | −1.5
(29.3)  | −4.3
(24.3)  | −3.4
(25.9)  | −4.4
(24.1)  | −3.8
(25.2)  | −3.2
(26.2)  | −3.2
(26.2)  | −1.9
(28.6)  | 1.1
(34.0)  | −4.4
(24.1)
Average rainfall mm (inches)  | 65.3
(2.57)  | 55.1
(2.17)  | 60.2
(2.37)  | 79.6
(3.13)  | 59.6
(2.35)  | 79.0
(3.11)  | 101.4
(3.99)  | 61.3
(2.41)  | 64.5
(2.54)  | 66.5
(2.62)  | 56.4
(2.22)  | 60.7
(2.39)  | 809.6
(31.87)
Mean monthly sunshine hours | 256.0  | 199.6  | 196.4  | 169.8  | 162.1  | 124.7  | 139.6  | 158.4  | 186.5  | 212.2  | 233.3  | 220.6  | 2,259.2
Source: NIWA[29][30]

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ a b "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
2. ^ a b c "Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
3. ^ Peter Dowling, ed. (2004). Reed New Zealand Atlas. Reed Books. map 42. ISBN 0-7900-0952-8.
4. ^ Roger Smith, GeographX (2005). The Geographic Atlas of New Zealand. Robbie Burton. map 108. ISBN 1-877333-20-4.
5. ^ "Waipawa Travel Guide". Jasons Travel Media. Archived from the original on 6 March 2011.
6. ^ "HAWKE'S BAY HERALD". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 28 August 1858. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
7. ^ "HAWKE'S BAY HERALD". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 3 December 1859. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
8. ^ "Discover Waipawa: Central Hawkes Bay - Unwind Country". Archived from the original on 14 May 2010.
9. ^ "HAWKE'S BAY HERALD". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 24 October 1857. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
10. ^ "Search". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
11. ^ "Waipawa Mail". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
12. ^ "NZME Community News". chbmail.communitynews.co.nz. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
13. ^ a b "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Waipawa (215700). 2018 Census place summary: Waipawa
14. ^ "Te Kāhui Māngai directory". tkm.govt.nz. Te Puni Kōkiri.
15. ^ "Māori Maps". maorimaps.com. Te Potiki National Trust.
16. ^ "Marae Announcements" (Excel). growregions.govt.nz. Provincial Growth Fund. 9 October 2020.
17. ^ "Official School Website". waipawa.school.nz.
18. ^ "Ministry of Education School Profile". educationcounts.govt.nz. Ministry of Education.
19. ^ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
20. ^ "Education Review Office Report". ero.govt.nz. Education Review Office.
21. ^ "Waipawa Primary School Centennial 1862-1962". Knowledge Bank. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
22. ^ "Waipawa School and District High School 150 year celebrations". Retrieved 27 February 2023.
23. ^ "History". Central Hawke's Bay College. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
24. ^ "INLAND JOTTINGS BY THE WAY. HAWKE'S BAY HERALD". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 8 April 1870. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
25. ^ "HAWKE'S BAY TIMES". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 23 January 1874. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
26. ^ "Station Archive". NZR Rolling Stock Lists. Archived from the original on 8 February 2013. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
27. ^ "Waipawa". Google Maps. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
28. ^ Yonge, John Roger (1993). New Zealand Railway and Tramway Atlas. Quail Map Company. ISBN 9780900609923.
29. ^ "CliFlo – National Climate Database : Waipawa Ews". NIWA. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
30. ^ "Climate Summary November 2024" (PDF). NIWA. Retrieved 4 December 2024.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Waipawa.

* v
* t
* e

Central Hawke's Bay District, New Zealand

Seat: Waipawa

Populated places|

| Ruataniwha|

* Waipawa
* Waipukurau

|

Ruahine/Aramoana|

* Ashley Clinton
* Blackhead
* Elsthorpe
* Flemington
* Ngamatea, Rangitikei
* Omakere
* Ongaonga
* Ormondville
* Ōtāne
* Pōrangahau
* Pukehou
* Shoal Beach
* Takapau
* Taumata
* Taumatawhakatangi­hangakoauauotamatea­turipukakapikimaunga­horonukupokaiwhen­uakitanatahu
* Tikokino

Geographic features|

* Mount Maropea

Facilities and attractions|

* Oruawharo Homestead
* Te Angiangi Marine Reserve

Government|

* District Council
* Mayor
* Regional Council

*[Pop.]: Population
*[±% p.a.]: Per annum growth rate
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template