Te Horo and Te Horo Beach are two localities[3][4] on the Kāpiti Coast of New Zealand's North Island. Te Horo Beach is the larger of the two settlements and, as its name implies, is located on the Tasman Sea coast. Te Horo is located to the east, a short distance inland. They are situated between Peka Peka and Waikanae to the south and Ōtaki to the north. "Te Horo" in the Māori language means "the landslide".[5]
Te Horo Beach is defined by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement and covers 0.36 km2 (0.14 sq mi).[8] It had an estimated population of 360 as of June 2024,[9] with a population density of 1,000 people per km2.
Before the 2023 census, the settlement had a smaller boundary, covering 0.33 km2 (0.13 sq mi).[1] Using that boundary, Te Horo Beach had a population of 342 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 60 people (21.3%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 117 people (52.0%) since the 2006 census. There were 153 households, comprising 177 males and 162 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.09 males per female, with 45 people (13.2%) aged under 15 years, 42 (12.3%) aged 15 to 29, 195 (57.0%) aged 30 to 64, and 57 (16.7%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 93.9% European/Pākehā, 11.4% Māori, 1.8% Pasifika, 0.9% Asian, and 0.9% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 57.0% had no religion, 28.1% were Christian, 0.9% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.9% were Hindu, 0.9% were Buddhist and 5.3% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 75 (25.3%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 42 (14.1%) people had no formal qualifications. 60 people (20.2%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 141 (47.5%) people were employed full-time, 45 (15.2%) were part-time, and 18 (6.1%) were unemployed.[10]
Te Horo statistical area
The statistical area of Te Horo covers 31.86 km2 (12.30 sq mi),[1] and includes both Te Horo Beach and Te Horo town. It had an estimated population of 1,550 as of June 2024, with a population density of 48.65 people per km2.
Historical population for Te Horo statistical area
The statistical area had a population of 1,422 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 135 people (10.5%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 306 people (27.4%) since the 2006 census. There were 585 households, comprising 717 males and 705 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.02 males per female. The median age was 50.1 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 219 people (15.4%) aged under 15 years, 159 (11.2%) aged 15 to 29, 765 (53.8%) aged 30 to 64, and 282 (19.8%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 93.9% European/Pākehā, 11.2% Māori, 1.5% Pasifika, 1.3% Asian, and 1.7% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 21.1, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 54.9% had no religion, 32.5% were Christian, 0.4% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.2% were Hindu, 0.8% were Buddhist and 3.0% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 285 (23.7%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 165 (13.7%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $37,000, compared with $31,800 nationally. 291 people (24.2%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 612 (50.9%) people were employed full-time, 198 (16.5%) were part-time, and 45 (3.7%) were unemployed.[11]
Economy
Some farming takes place around Te Horo, as well as small-scale viticulture. Many residents of Te Horo commute to either Wellington or Palmerston North. The beach is popular for swimming and boating and attracts visitors to the town.[12]
Transport
Te Horo is situated on the North Island's main road and rail routes, State Highway 1 and the North Island Main Trunk railway. The railway was built by the Wellington and Manawatu Railway Company (WMR) as part of its Wellington–Manawatu Line that opened on 1 December 1886 with a station in Te Horo. The WMR was incorporated into the New Zealand Railways Department's national network on 8 December 1908. The railway station, opened on 2 August 1886 was closed to passengers on 27 June 1971 and from 2 November 1987 became a crossing loop only.[13] A commuter train, the Capital Connection, operates between Palmerston North and Wellington on weekdays but Te Horo passengers must board it in Ōtaki or Waikanae.
Te Horo Beach is situated off major transport routes and is accessible by a local road, Te Horo Beach Road, that leaves State Highway 1 at Te Horo.
Education
Te Horo School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students,[14][15] with a roll of 192 as of August 2024.[16]
