Waverley, Taranaki

Waverley
Bear Street
Interactive map of Waverley
Coordinates: 39°45′40″S 174°37′48″E / 39.76111°S 174.63000°E / -39.76111; 174.63000
CountryNew Zealand
RegionTaranaki
Territorial authoritySouth Taranaki District
Ward
  • Pātea General Ward
  • Te Tai Tonga Māori Ward
CommunityPātea Community
Electorates
Government
 • Territorial AuthoritySouth Taranaki District Council
 • Regional councilTaranaki Regional Council
 • Mayor of South TaranakiPhil Nixon[3]
 • Whanganui MPCarl Bates[4]
 • Te Tai Hauāuru MPDebbie Ngarewa-Packer[5]
Area
[2]
 • Total
2.28 km2 (0.88 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2025)[1]
 • Total
820
 • Density360/km2 (930/sq mi)

Waverley is a town located in the South Taranaki District in New Zealand. It is 44 km northwest of Whanganui. Patea is 17 km to the west, and Waitōtara is 10 km to the southeast. State Highway 3 and the Marton–New Plymouth line railway run through the town.[6][7]

History and culture

Waverley was an important colonial stronghold during the New Zealand Wars of the 1860s, during which time the town was called Wairoa. The town is well known for its farming and thoroughbred stables. The race horse Kiwi was trained in the paddocks of a Waverley sheep farm by owner Snow Lupton and went on to go from last on the final bend to win the 1983 Melbourne Cup.

Marae

The local Te Wairoa-iti Marae and Maruata meeting house are a meeting place for Ngāti Tai, a hapū of Ngā Rauru Kītahi.[8][9]

Ironsand mining and renewable energy

The Waipipi onshore ironsand mine operated near Waverley from 1971 to 1987, producing a total of 15.7 million tonnes of concentrate for export.[10] The Waipipi site is now being developed for the Waipipi Wind Farm, with 31 turbines generating up to 133 MW.

Demographics

Waverley is described by Stats NZ as a rural settlement, which covers 2.28 km2 (0.88 sq mi).[2] It had an estimated population of 820 as of June 2025,[1] with a population density of 360 people per km2. It is part of the larger Manutahi-Waitotora statistical area.[11]

Historical population for Waverley
YearPop.±% p.a.
2006864—    
2013798−1.13%
2018819+0.52%
2023831+0.29%
Source: [12][13]

Waverley had a population of 831 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 12 people (1.5%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 33 people (4.1%) since the 2013 census. There were 435 males, 399 females, and 3 people of other genders in 381 dwellings.[14] 2.2% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 51.2 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 138 people (16.6%) aged under 15 years, 111 (13.4%) aged 15 to 29, 351 (42.2%) aged 30 to 64, and 231 (27.8%) aged 65 or older.[12]

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 79.8% European (Pākehā); 31.8% Māori; 4.0% Pasifika; 1.8% Asian; 0.4% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.2% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 97.8%, Māori by 6.9%, Samoan by 0.4%, and other languages by 3.6%. No language could be spoken by 1.8% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.7%. The percentage of people born overseas was 8.3, compared with 28.8% nationally.[12]

Religious affiliations were 28.9% Christian, 0.4% Hindu, 0.4% Islam, 1.1% Māori religious beliefs, 0.7% New Age, and 0.4% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 57.0%, and 11.6% of people did not answer the census question.[12]

Of those at least 15 years old, 57 (8.2%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 381 (55.0%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 252 (36.4%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $26,700, compared with $41,500 nationally. 12 people (1.7%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 216 (31.2%) full-time, 93 (13.4%) part-time, and 30 (4.3%) unemployed.[12]

Manutahi-Waitotora statistical area

Manutahi-Waitotora statistical area, which also includes Manutahi, Waitōtara and Waiinu Beach, covers 293.06 km2 (113.15 sq mi)[15] and had an estimated population of 2,050 as of June 2025,[16] with a population density of 7.0 people per km2.

Historical population for Manutahi-Waitotora
YearPop.±% p.a.
20062,082—    
20131,962−0.84%
20181,956−0.06%
20232,013+0.58%
The 2006 population is for a larger area of 293.22 km2.
Source: [17][18]

Manutahi-Waitōtora had a population of 2,013 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 57 people (2.9%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 51 people (2.6%) since the 2013 census. There were 1,062 males, 945 females, and 3 people of other genders in 885 dwellings.[19] 1.8% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 44.1 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 414 people (20.6%) aged under 15 years, 279 (13.9%) aged 15 to 29, 891 (44.3%) aged 30 to 64, and 429 (21.3%) aged 65 or older.[17]

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 80.6% European (Pākehā); 25.0% Māori; 1.9% Pasifika; 4.6% Asian; 0.3% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.1% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 97.3%, Māori by 6.6%, Samoan by 0.1%, and other languages by 4.0%. No language could be spoken by 2.1% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.6%. The percentage of people born overseas was 9.2, compared with 28.8% nationally.[17]

Religious affiliations were 32.5% Christian, 0.3% Hindu, 0.1% Islam, 1.3% Māori religious beliefs, 0.7% Buddhist, 0.7% New Age, and 0.6% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 54.8%, and 8.8% of people did not answer the census question.[17]

Of those at least 15 years old, 171 (10.7%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 903 (56.5%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 528 (33.0%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $33,900, compared with $41,500 nationally. 96 people (6.0%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 696 (43.5%) full-time, 219 (13.7%) part-time, and 54 (3.4%) unemployed.[17]

Features

Waverley had a large sawmill which employed 65 staff. The mill was the only major sawmill as far as New Plymouth in the north and Levin in the south.The mill closed in 2019.[20] There is a large hydroponic Lettuce farm operating in Waverley now.

Waverley has a black sand beach, the colour is due to iron sand deposits. The campground at the beach is well used in the summer months, as the beach provides safe surfing. Waverley has a number of cafes and coffee shops and is a popular place for tourists to stop for a break before entering the Taranaki region.

Waverley and surrounding community has a South Taranaki District Council LibraryPlus, which provides a full library service and Council related services. These services include being able to register your dog, pay your rates or inquire about obtaining a building permit. Other services include a Tot Time for the under 5s and bookclub catering to intermediate and high school age children. The LibraryPlus also has three APN computers, offering free internet and Skype to the public.

Waverley has a small skatepark as well as a playground in the town park that can be seen off the main road that runs through Waverley. Also there are well kept tennis courts and on Brassey St there is a small dirt jump track for push bikes. The locals call it the BMX track. The cave at Waverley's cave beach has collapsed due to erosion. There is a Craft and Farmers Market every 3rd Sunday at the Community hall in Chester St from 9am to 1pm

Education

Waverley Primary School is a co-educational contributing primary (years 1–8) school with a roll of 161 students as of July 2025.[21][22] Public education started in the area in 1873.[23] Waverley High School closed on 20 April 2007,[24] after its NCEA assessments were found to be unreliable.[25][26]

Notable people

Notable people who were born or lived in Waverley include:

Notes

  1. ^ a b "Subnational population estimates - Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
  2. ^ a b "Stats NZ Geographic Data Service". Urban Rural 2023 (generalised). Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  3. ^ "Declaration of Results of Election and Poll" (PDF). South Taranaki District Council. 17 October 2025.
  4. ^ "Whanganui - Official Result". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
  5. ^ "Te Tai Hauāuru - Official Result". Retrieved 20 April 2025.
  6. ^ Peter Dowling, ed. (2004), Reed New Zealand Atlas, Reed Books, map 44, ISBN 0-7900-0952-8
  7. ^ Roger Smith, GeographX (2005), The Geographic Atlas of New Zealand, Robbie Burton, map 97, ISBN 1-877333-20-4
  8. ^ "Te Kāhui Māngai directory". tkm.govt.nz. Te Puni Kōkiri.
  9. ^ "Māori Maps". maorimaps.com. Te Potiki National Trust.
  10. ^ "Firm wants mining to begin by 2014". Stuff. Retrieved 18 May 2019.
  11. ^ "Geographic Boundary Viewer". Stats NZ. Urban Rural – 2023 and Statistical Area 2 – 2023.
  12. ^ a b c d e "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Waverley (1327). Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  13. ^ "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. 7017538–7017542.
  14. ^ "Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  15. ^ "Stats NZ Geographic Data Service". Statistical Area 2 2023 (generalised). Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  16. ^ "Subnational population estimates - Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
  17. ^ a b c d e "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Manutahi-Waitōtora (222101). Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  18. ^ "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Manutahi-Waitotora (222100). 2018 Census place summary: Manutahi-Waitotora
  19. ^ "Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  20. ^ "Waverley Sawmill sold, 65 jobs lost". Whanganui Chronicle. 2 March 2019.
  21. ^ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
  22. ^ Education Counts: Waverley Primary School
  23. ^ "Jubilees & reunions: Waverley Primary School and Waverley High School", Education Gazette New Zealand, 75 (22), 16 December 1996, archived from the original on 28 March 2004
  24. ^ Waverley High School to close, Scoop, 3 April 2007
  25. ^ Stowell, Laurel (15 February 2007), We're not going anywhere: Waverley parents, Wanganui Chronicle
  26. ^ "Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers: Waverley High School—Confidence in Oversight", Hansard (New Zealand), 637: 7319, 2007
  27. ^ "'Kiwi will beat them all!': The small NZ town immortalising a sporting great". The New Zealand Herald. 8 November 2023.
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