Snells Beach had a population of 3,405 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 474 people since the 2013 census, and an increase of 678 people since the 2006 census. There were 1,380 households. There were 1,656 males and 1,746 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.95 males per female. The median age was 47.9 years, with 606 people aged under 15 years, 438 aged 15 to 29, 1,374 aged 30 to 64, and 984 aged 65 or older. Of the 1716 dwellings, 1404 were occupied on census night. The population swells to over 5000 during the summer months. Ethnicities were 90.7% European/Pākehā, 10.7% Māori, 5.0% Pacific peoples, 3.3% Asian, and 1.9% other ethnicities. The proportion of people born overseas was 25.4%, compared with 27.1% nationally. Although some people objected to giving their religion, 51.5% had no religion, 38.1% were Christian, and 3.3% had other religions. Of those at least 15 years old, 489 people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 537 people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $28,500. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 1,137 people were employed full-time, 444 were part-time, and 72 were unemployed.
Features and attractions
The 2.5 kilometre long tidal sandy beach, which attracts a variety of shorebirds, is popular for a multitude of leisure activities, including kite surfing, paddle boarding, swimming, fishing, and dog walking. The pohutukawa-lined esplanade reserve features footpaths, playgrounds, picnic areas, a public barbecue, a waterfront café, public toilets, showers, boat ramps, and free overnight parking for motorhomes. The Mahurangi Shopping Centre includes cafés, retail stores, The Warehouse, public toilets, Wifi facilities, and overnight parking for motorhomes. The adjacent Goodalls Reserve hosts a community centre, library, bowling club, tennis club, kindergarten, skate park, sports fields, dog exercise area, and walking tracks. Nearby is a petrol station, two motels, and several bed and breakfasts. The Brick Bay Sculpture Trail – an outdoor gallery showcasing contemporary sculpture amongst native trees, palms, birdlife and green pastures – is located at the western entrance of Snells Beach. Snells Beach contains the Rodney District’s regional television broadcaster: Family TV.
History and in the media
Cornish miner James Snell arrived in Kawau in 1854 and bought land, known as Long Beach. Dalmatian immigrants lived in tents on the beach and dug for kauri gum at low tide. Māori called the neighbouring Algies Bay 'horahora wai', meaning encroaching waters. Scottish immigrant Alexander Algie and wife Mina, née Deerness, bought the land near Martins Bay, where his brother Samuel settled in 1867. The family ran a boarding house on the beach during the late 1890s, which closed in 1941. A metal road was built along the eastern peninsular in the 1930s. The Mahurangi Peninsula was the setting for the 2001 New Zealand filmRain, starring Sarah Peirse and Marton Csokas. In 2011, after co-winning the Cancer Foundation's SunSmart video competition, students of Warkworth Primary School were given the opportunity to meet people from Huhu Studios in Snells Beach to see what making a film involves. In late 2011, the Snells Beach branch of New Zealand retail store The Warehouse donated a large Christmas tree for Warkworth's Christmas Parade. In 2012, the Snells Beach library was marked for closure, leaving many residents bewildered and angry. In 2013, water from Snells Beach was needed for Warkworth's water supply.
Education
Snells Beach Primary is a coeducational contributing primary school catering for years 1-6. It opened in 2009. The school is intended to grow to about 500 students. The roll was students in. Horizon School, formerly Mahurangi Christian School, is a coeducational full primary school with a roll of students as at.. The school is state integrated.
