Waiatarua is a small settlement near the top of the Waitakere Ranges, which border New Zealand's largest city, Auckland, close to the junction of Scenic Drive, West Coast Road and Piha Road to Piha and runs east until the junction of Scenic Drive and Mountain Road. Surrounded by native bush in the Centennial Memorial Park and the water catchment area, Waiatarua is over 300 metres above sea level and some houses are over 400 metres above sea level. Waiatarua means “song of two waters”, possibly referring to the ability to see both the wild west coast, and the still, sparkling waters of the Manukau and Waitemata harbours from certain points in the area.
Demographics
The Waiatarua statistical area, which extends northeast of the settlement, had a population of 2,148 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 72 people since the 2013 census, and an increase of 159 people since the 2006 census. There were 735 households. There were 1,089 males and 1,062 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.03 males per female. The median age was 43.1 years, with 387 people aged under 15 years, 360 aged 15 to 29, 1,098 aged 30 to 64, and 300 aged 65 or older. Ethnicities were 88.4% European/Pākehā, 11.7% Māori, 5.0% Pacific peoples, 6.7% Asian, and 2.5% other ethnicities. The proportion of people born overseas was 25.4%, compared with 27.1% nationally. Although some people objected to giving their religion, 57.5% had no religion, 30.7% were Christian, and 5.4% had other religions. Of those at least 15 years old, 489 people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 210 people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $42,300. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 957 people were employed full-time, 282 were part-time, and 45 were unemployed.
Community facilities
Community facilities include a fire station, community hall, play centre, library, café and hotel.
History
Rose Hellaby House is a historic building transformed into a museum. Large Kauri trees were milled in Waiatarua at Mander and Bradley's Mill close to Upper Nihotupu reservoir.
Tourism
The nearby Arataki Information Centre proves information about the local flora, fauna and geology, and is the starting point for a number of well-maintained walking trails.
Tramping
The Waiatarua area includes the Upper and Lower Nihotupu water reservoirs. Leading to these reservoirs are scenic walking trails through native forest past waterfalls. These trails connect with the wider network of walking trails within Waitakere Regional Park. Many other tramping tracks are in the area. The nearest centres to Waiatarua are Titirangi village, Swanson, and the Henderson Valley.
A transmission mast is located in the area. The Freeview UHF terrestrial service is transmitted to many areas in Auckland. A transmitter for Kordia's Digital Audio Broadcasting trial is also located here. FM radio services used to be transmitted but these were transferred to the Auckland Sky Tower.
