Ōwhata

The local Ōwhata or Hinemoa Marae and is a meeting place for the Ngāti Whakaue hapū of Ngāti Korouateka and Ngāti te Roro o te Rangi.[4] It includes the Tūtanekai meeting house.[5]

In October 2020, the Government committed $4,525,104 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade the marae and nine others, creating an estimated 34 jobs.[6]

Ōwhata, comprising the statistical areas of Ōwhata West and Ōwhata East, had a population of 6,216 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 720 people (13.1%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 777 people (14.3%) since the 2006 census. There were 2,022 households. There were 2,991 males and 3,225 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.93 males per female, with 1,575 people (25.3%) aged under 15 years, 1,128 (18.1%) aged 15 to 29, 2,580 (41.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 933 (15.0%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 62.0% European/Pākehā, 45.9% Māori, 5.3% Pacific peoples, 7.3% Asian, and 1.7% other ethnicities (totals add to more than 100% since people could identify with multiple ethnicities).

The proportion of people born overseas was 15.0%, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people objected to giving their religion, 51.9% had no religion, 33.3% were Christian, 1.6% were Hindu, 0.3% were Muslim, 0.5% were Buddhist and 4.8% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 699 (15.1%) people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 945 (20.4%) people had no formal qualifications. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 2,208 (47.6%) people were employed full-time, 678 (14.6%) were part-time, and 264 (5.7%) were unemployed.[1]

Owhata School is a coeducational primary school for year 1–6 students[9][10] with a roll of 261.[11]

Mokoia Intermediate is a co-educational state intermediate school,[12][13] with a roll of 333.[14]

Rotorua Lakes High School is a co-educational state secondary school,[15][16] with a roll of 695.[17]