Te Atatū Peninsula facts for kids

Te Atatū Peninsula (also known as Te Atatu North) is a waterfront suburb of Auckland surrounded by the Waitemata Harbour with extensive views of the city skyline, central city and north shore. There are also direct views of the Auckland Harbour Bridge.

The name "Te Atatū Peninsula" was put forward by Emi Groot in the 1980s and officially adopted by the New Zealand Geographic Board on 5 May 1994, and was formally adopted by the Waitakere Council in 1997.

Demographics

Walkway on Chapman Strand, Te Atatū Peninsula

Te Atatū Peninsula, comprising the statistical areas of Te Atatū Peninsula North West, Te Atatū Peninsula Central, Te Atatū Peninsula West and Te Atatū Peninsula East, had a population of 13,344 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 858 people (6.9%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 1,656 people (14.2%) since the 2006 census. There were 4,353 households. There were 6,525 males and 6,816 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.96 males per female, with 3,120 people (23.4%) aged under 15 years, 2,361 (17.7%) aged 15 to 29, 6,339 (47.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 1,524 (11.4%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 65.0% European/Pākehā, 19.6% Māori, 14.9% Pacific peoples, 17.8% Asian, and 3.1% other ethnicities (totals add to more than 100% since people could identify with multiple ethnicities).

The proportion of people born overseas was 28.2%, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people objected to giving their religion, 50.6% had no religion, 35.6% were Christian, and 8.2% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 2,802 (27.4%) people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 1,557 (15.2%) people had no formal qualifications. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 5,532 (54.1%) people were employed full-time, 1,341 (13.1%) were part-time, and 417 (4.1%) were unemployed.

Location

Te Atatū Peninsula is located at the western extremity of the Waitemata Harbour, and is flanked by Te Wai-o-Pareira / Henderson Creek to the west and by the Whau River to the east, both estuarial arms of the harbour, which extend southwest from the harbour itself. The area Te Atatū Peninsula forms, the northern part of Te Atatū peninsula, is four kilometres in length and two kilometres in width. Its population is closely matched by the population of Te Atatū South, the adjoining suburb.

History

Until the 1950s, Te Atatū Peninsula was mostly rural. The construction of the north-western motorway lead to development on the peninsula. During the 1960s and 1970s, Te Atatū Peninsula was covered in low- to medium-income houses.

Te Atatū Peninsula was the site of the Leisureland Fun Park in the 1980s, which was initially set up in collaboration with the Accident Compensation Corporation complete with a Drivertown and pleasure rides. It later became Footrot Flats Fun Park in 1985, which closed in 1991.

When vacated by leisure activities, this waterfront site has been developed into medium- to high-density high-end waterfront-facing properties. The houses are popular for high-end renovations and many properties have been subdivided, increasing the population density of the suburb, as prescribed under the current Auckland Unitary Plan.

Parks and reserves

Te Atatū Peninsula is well endowed with parks and reserves, from Taipari Strand on the western point (with a boat ramp, rowing club and canoe club) to the 85-hectare Harbour View-Orangihina Park on the eastern point (with middens from early Maori occupation, World War II gun emplacements, specially created wetlands, and stunning views over the Waitemata Harbour to Auckland city, the Harbour Bridge and Rangitoto Island). From Orangihina you can walk around the coast via the Te Atatū Walkway to the northern tip of the peninsula, where the Taikata Sailing Club is located. There are also a number of inland parks, the largest of which is Te Atatū Peninsula Park, a large playing field surrounded by a popular cycleway.

Schools

Rutherford College, named after Ernest Rutherford, is a secondary (years 9–13) school with a roll of 1435 students. Te Atatū Intermediate School is for years 7–8, and has a roll of 439 students.

Peninsula Primary School, Matipo Primary School and Rutherford Primary School are contributing schools (years 1–6) with rolls of 411, 435 and 325 respectively.

All schools are coeducational. Rolls are as of April 2023.