The settlement is in the traditional roheofTe Kawerau ā Maki.[5] The many hills of the area were known as Ngā Rau Pou ā Maki, referring to the eponymous ancestor of the tribe.[6]
Waitākere covers 14.79 km2 (5.71 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 1,880 as of June 2023,[2] with a population density of 127 people per km2.
Before the 2023 census, the suburb had a larger boundary, covering 15.29 km2 (5.90 sq mi).[1] Using that boundary, Waitākere had a population of 1,935 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 123 people (6.8%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 180 people (10.3%) since the 2006 census. There were 657 households, comprising 975 males and 960 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.02 males per female. The median age was 39.5 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 390 people (20.2%) aged under 15 years, 357 (18.4%) aged 15 to 29, 987 (51.0%) aged 30 to 64, and 201 (10.4%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 91.5% European/Pākehā, 14.6% Māori, 6.2% Pacific peoples, 4.0% Asian, and 2.2% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 18.1, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 60.2% had no religion, 27.3% were Christian, 0.5% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.9% were Hindu, 0.6% were Muslim, 0.3% were Buddhist and 2.6% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 321 (20.8%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 228 (14.8%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $41,800, compared with $31,800 nationally. 381 people (24.7%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 915 (59.2%) people were employed full-time, 258 (16.7%) were part-time, and 48 (3.1%) were unemployed.[10]
Waitakere School is a coeducational full primary (years 1–8) school with a roll of 444 students as at February 2024.[11][12] It was established in 1921.[13]
^Diamond, John T.; Hayward, Bruce W. (1990). "Prehistoric Sites in West Auckland". In Northcote-Bade, James (ed.). West Auckland Remembers, Volume 1. West Auckland Historical Society. pp. 14, 18. ISBN0-473-00983-8.
^Dunsford, Deborah (2002). Doing It Themselves: the Story of Kumeu, Huapai and Taupaki. Huapai-Kumeu Lions Club. p. 50. ISBN0-473-08969-6.
Waitākere
