Western Heights, Bay of Plenty

Western Heights, comprising the statistical areas of Pleasant Heights and Western Heights (Rotorua District), had a population of 4,404 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 582 people (15.2%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 312 people (7.6%) since the 2006 census. There were 1,365 households. There were 2,151 males and 2,256 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.95 males per female, with 1,263 people (28.7%) aged under 15 years, 1,005 (22.8%) aged 15 to 29, 1,725 (39.2%) aged 30 to 64, and 408 (9.3%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 48.9% European/Pākehā, 62.7% Māori, 10.0% Pacific peoples, 4.2% Asian, and 1.2% other ethnicities (totals add to more than 100% since people could identify with multiple ethnicities).

The proportion of people born overseas was 9.5%, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people objected to giving their religion, 52.1% had no religion, 31.5% were Christian, 0.5% were Hindu, 0.1% were Muslim, 0.3% were Buddhist and 8.3% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 258 (8.2%) people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 768 (24.5%) people had no formal qualifications. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 1,317 (41.9%) people were employed full-time, 459 (14.6%) were part-time, and 345 (11.0%) were unemployed.[1]

Western Heights has two co-educational state primary schools for Year 1 to 6 students: Western Heights School,[4] with a roll of 420};[5] and Aorangi School,[6] with a roll of 91.[7]

St Michael's Catholic School is a co-educational state-integrated Catholic primary school for Year 1 to 6 students,[8][9] with a roll of 127.[10]

Kaitao Intermediate is a co-educational state intermediate school,[11][12] with a roll of 354.[13]

Western Heights High School is a co-educational state primary school,[14] with a roll of 1243.[15]