Te Atatū Peninsula


Te Atatū Peninsula is a waterfront suburb of Auckland City surrounded by the Waitemata Harbour with extensive views of the city skyline, central city and north shore. There are also direct views of the Auckland Harbour Bridge.
The name "Te Atatū Peninsula" was officially adopted by the New Zealand Geographic Board on 5 May 1994, and was formally adopted by the Waitakere Council in 1997.

Demographics

Te Atatū Peninsula, comprising the statistical areas of Te Atatū Peninsula North West, Te Atatū Peninsula Central, Te Atatū Peninsula West and Te Atatū Peninsula East, had a population of 13,344 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 858 people since the 2013 census, and an increase of 1,656 people since the 2006 census. There were 4,353 households. There were 6,525 males and 6,816 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.96 males per female, with 3,120 people aged under 15 years, 2,361 aged 15 to 29, 6,339 aged 30 to 64, and 1,524 aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 65.0% European/Pākehā, 19.6% Māori, 14.9% Pacific peoples, 17.8% Asian, and 3.1% other ethnicities.
The proportion of people born overseas was 28.2%, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people objected to giving their religion, 50.6% had no religion, 35.6% were Christian, and 8.2% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 2,802 people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 1,557 people had no formal qualifications. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 5,532 people were employed full-time, 1,341 were part-time, and 417 were unemployed.

Location

Te Atatū Peninsula is located at the western extremity of the Waitemata Harbour, and is flanked by the Henderson Creek to the west and by the Whau River to the east, both estuarial arms of the harbour, which extend southwest from the harbour itself. The relatively flat peninsula thus formed is four kilometres in length and two kilometres in width, and is joined to the main part of the North Island at its southern end. A motorway effectively cuts the peninsula off from the mainland and, with only one road in and out, the area has an almost island-like feel. Its population is closely matched by the population of Te Atatū South, the adjoining suburb.

History

Until the 1950s, Te Atatū Peninsula was mostly rural. The construction of the north-western motorway lead to development on the peninsula. During the 1960s and 1970s, Te Atatū Peninsula was covered in low- to medium-income houses.
Te Atatū Peninsula was the site of the Leisureland Fun Park in the 1980s, which was initially set up in collaboration with the Accident Compensation Corporation complete with a Drivertown and pleasure rides. It later became Footrot Flats Fun Park in 1985, which closed in 2000.
When vacated by leisure activities, this waterfront site has been developed into medium- to high-density high-end waterfront-facing properties. The houses are popular for high-end renovations and many properties have been subdivided, increasing the population density of the suburb, as prescribed under the current Auckland Unitary Plan.

Parks and reserves

Te Atatū Peninsula is well endowed with parks and reserves, from Taipari Strand on the western point to the 85-hectare Harbour View-Orangihina Park on the eastern point. From Orangihina you can walk around the coast via the Te Atatū Walkway to the northern tip of the peninsula, where the Taikata Sailing Club is located. There are also a number of inland parks, the largest of which is Te Atatū Peninsula Park, a large playing field surrounded by a popular cycleway.

Schools

, named after Ernest Rutherford, is a secondary school with a roll of students. Te Atatū Intermediate School is for years 7–8, and has a roll of students.
Peninsula Primary School, Matipo Primary School and Rutherford Primary School are contributing schools with rolls of, and respectively.
All schools are coeducational. Rolls are as of