Waitōtara facts for kids

Waitōtara is a town in South Taranaki, New Zealand. Waverley is 10 km to the north-west, and Whanganui is 34 km to the south-east. State Highway 3 passes through it. The Waitōtara River flows past the east side of the town.

More than 30 homes were evacuated during flooding in February 2004.

A local freezing works is a major employer.

Demographics

Site of the Waitōtara Redoubt, built during the Second Taranaki War (shown in 1948).

The population of Waitōtara, which covers 0.25 km² (0.097 sq mi), was 72 in the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 6 (9.1%) since the 2013 census, and the same increase of 6 (9.1%) since the 2006 census. There were 42 males and 30 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.4 males per female. Ethnicities were 51 people (70.8%) European/Pākehā and 24 (33.3%) Māori (totals add to more than 100% since people could identify with multiple ethnicities). Of the total population, 12 people (16.7%) were under 15 years old, 6 (8.3%) were 15–29, 33 (45.8%) were 30–64, and 21 (29.2%) were over 65.

Marae

Waitōtara has marae associated with the hapū of Ngā Rauru Kītahi:

• Te Ihupuku Marae and Te Kawerau and Karepoonia are affiliated with Ngāti Hinewaiata.
• Kaipō or Wharetapapa Marae and its Tokanuhea III meeting house are affiliated with Ngāti Hou Tipua.
• Takirau Marae and Ko Te Marunga Nui o Pourua meeting house are affiliated with Ngāti Pourua.
• Tauranga Ika Marae and Te Aputa ki Wairau meeting house are affiliated with Ngāti Ruaiti.
• Waipapa Marae and Ngā Paiaka meeting house are affiliated with Ngā Ariki.

In October 2020, the Government committed $522,926 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade Te Ihupuku Marae, Waipapa Marae and Te Aroha Marae, creating 92 jobs.

Education

Waitotara School is a coeducational full primary (years 1–8) school with a roll of 36 students as of April 2023. The school was founded in 1874.