Paeroa
Paeroa | |
|---|---|
 Normanby Road | |
 Interactive map of Paeroa | |
| Coordinates: 37°22′30″S 175°40′00″E / 37.37500°S 175.66667°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Waikato region |
| Territorial authority | Hauraki District |
| Ward | Paeroa Ward |
| Electorates |
|
| Government | |
| • Territorial Authority | Hauraki District Council |
| • Regional council | Waikato Regional Council |
| • Mayor of Hauraki | Toby Adams[1] |
| • Coromandel MP | Scott Simpson[2] |
| • Hauraki-Waikato MP | Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke[3] |
| Area | |
• Total | 6.87 km2 (2.65 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 15 m (49 ft) |
| Population (June 2025)[5] | |
• Total | 4,600 |
| • Density | 670/km2 (1,700/sq mi) |
| Postcode(s) | 3600 |
Paeroa is a town in the Hauraki District of the Waikato Region in the North Island of New Zealand. Located at the base of the Coromandel Peninsula, it is close to the junction of the Waihou River and Ohinemuri River, and is approximately 20 kilometres (12.4 miles) south of the Firth of Thames.
New Zealanders know the town for its mineral springs, which in the past provided the water used in a local soft drink, "Lemon & Paeroa".
The town stands at the intersection of State Highways 2 and 26, and is the central service location for the Hauraki District. The town is about halfway between Auckland and Tauranga, and acts as the southern gateway to the Coromandel Peninsula, and as the western gateway to the Karangahake Gorge and the Bay of Plenty.
Etymology
[edit]One can gloss the Māori-language name Paeroa as composed of pae (ridge) and roa (long).[6]
Demographics
[edit]Stats NZ describes Paeroa as a small urban area. It covers 6.87 km2 (2.65 sq mi)[4] and had an estimated population of 4,600 as of June 2025,[7] with a population density of 670 people per km2.
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 3,891 | — |
| 2013 | 3,798 | −0.34% |
| 2018 | 4,269 | +2.37% |
| 2023 | 4,458 | +0.87% |
| Source: [8][9] | ||
Paeroa had a population of 4,458 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 189 people (4.4%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 660 people (17.4%) since the 2013 census. There were 2,088 males, 2,352 females and 15 people of other genders in 1,800 dwellings.[10] 2.4% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 51.5 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 705 people (15.8%) aged under 15 years, 639 (14.3%) aged 15 to 29, 1,662 (37.3%) aged 30 to 64, and 1,449 (32.5%) aged 65 or older.[9]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 77.7% European (Pākehā); 32.2% Māori; 4.2% Pasifika; 4.0% 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 97.6%, Māori language by 6.9%, Samoan by 0.1%, and other languages by 5.2%. No language could be spoken by 1.5% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.7%. The percentage of people born overseas was 13.1, compared with 28.8% nationally.[9]
Religious affiliations were 31.2% Christian, 0.4% Hindu, 2.8% Māori religious beliefs, 0.6% Buddhist, 1.0% New Age, 0.1% Jewish, and 1.3% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 54.8%, and 8.1% of people did not answer the census question.[9]
Of those at least 15 years old, 375 (10.0%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 2,049 (54.6%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 1,320 (35.2%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $29,300, compared with $41,500 nationally. 159 people (4.2%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 1,383 (36.9%) people were employed full-time, 441 (11.8%) were part-time, and 123 (3.3%) were unemployed.[9]
Rural surrounds
[edit]
The statistical area of Paeroa Rural, which includes the localities of Netherton, Tirohia and Karangahake, covers 272.57 km2 (105.24 sq mi)[11] and had an estimated population of 2,080 as of June 2025,[7] with a population density of 8 people per km2.
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 1,755 | — |
| 2013 | 1,674 | −0.67% |
| 2018 | 1,845 | +1.96% |
| 2023 | 1,989 | +1.51% |
| Source: [12]source=[13] | ||
Paeroa Rural had a population of 1,989 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 144 people (7.8%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 315 people (18.8%) since the 2013 census. There were 1,002 males, 981 females and 6 people of other genders in 717 dwellings.[14] 2.3% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 44.4 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 375 people (18.9%) aged under 15 years, 279 (14.0%) aged 15 to 29, 942 (47.4%) aged 30 to 64, and 393 (19.8%) aged 65 or older.[13]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 86.0% European (Pākehā); 23.7% Māori; 1.5% Pasifika; 3.6% Asian; 0.8% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.7% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 97.9%, Māori language by 5.3%, Samoan by 0.2%, and other languages by 5.4%. No language could be spoken by 1.5% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.5%. The percentage of people born overseas was 11.6, compared with 28.8% nationally.[13]
Religious affiliations were 25.2% Christian, 0.8% Hindu, 0.3% Islam, 2.1% Māori religious beliefs, 0.6% Buddhist, 0.8% New Age, 0.2% Jewish, and 1.4% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 60.9%, and 8.3% of people did not answer the census question.[13]
Of those at least 15 years old, 210 (13.0%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 921 (57.1%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 489 (30.3%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $37,000, compared with $41,500 nationally. 138 people (8.6%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 762 (47.2%) people were employed full-time, 285 (17.7%) were part-time, and 21 (1.3%) were unemployed.[13]
History
[edit] | This section needs more citations. (June 2021) |
Early history
[edit]The west bank of the Ohinemuri River, north-west of Paeroa, was the site of Opukeko Pa, Te Raupa pā, Opita pā and Waiwhau pā, settled around the junction of the Waihou and Ohinemuri Rivers (originally due west of Paeroa).[15][16] Te Raupa in particular was a heavily settled pā,[15] likely settled between 1450 and 1500.[17]