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]

Waioeka was the location of Tanewhirinaki, at the time one of the largest wharenui ever build. The structure, which was built by Te Kooti for his followers, was completed in the late 1860s.[4]

Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Waioweka is a co-educational Māori language immersion state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students,[5] with a roll of 56 as of March 2022.[6][7]