Waioeka

Oponae Bridge over the Waioeka River

The statistical area of Oponae, which at 1,255 square kilometres is much larger than this community, had a population of 330 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 36 people (12.2%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 30 people (10.0%) since the 2006 census. There were 93 households. There were 165 males and 168 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.98 males per female. The median age was 35.1 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 90 people (27.3%) aged under 15 years, 57 (17.3%) aged 15 to 29, 144 (43.6%) aged 30 to 64, and 39 (11.8%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 49.1% European/Pākehā, 60.0% Māori, 2.7% Pacific peoples, 0.9% Asian, and 0.9% other ethnicities (totals add to more than 100% since people could identify with multiple ethnicities).

The proportion of people born overseas was 7.3%, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people objected to giving their religion, 34.5% had no religion, 28.2% were Christian and 28.2% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 30 (12.5%) people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 69 (28.8%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $19,900, compared with $31,800 nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 90 (37.5%) people were employed full-time, 42 (17.5%) were part-time, and 24 (10.0%) were unemployed.[1]

The local marae is known variously as Ōpeke Marae, Opekerau Marae or Waioeka Marae. It is the traditional tribal meeting place of the Whakatōhea hapū Ngāti Irapuaia / Ngāti Ira.[2] The meeting house is called Irapuaia.[3]

Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Waioweka is a co-educational Māori language immersion state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students,[4] with a roll of 63 as of March 2020.[5][6]