The settlement's name, Riwaka, is a corruption of the Māori name Riuwaka, which derives from riu meaning bilge or interior, and waka meaning canoe.[8] The name can be interpreted as the hull of the canoe.[9]
Riwaka is described by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement. It covers 5.49 km2 (2.12 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 810 as of June 2024,[2] with a population density of 148 people per km2. It is part of the larger Kaiteriteri-Riwaka statistical area]].
Riwaka had a population of 765 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 108 people (16.4%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 135 people (21.4%) since the 2006 census. There were 270 households, comprising 396 males and 372 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.06 males per female, with 168 people (22.0%) aged under 15 years, 117 (15.3%) aged 15 to 29, 366 (47.8%) aged 30 to 64, and 111 (14.5%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 92.5% European/Pākehā, 14.1% Māori, 1.6% Pasifika, 2.0% Asian, and 2.7% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 66.3% had no religion, 21.2% were Christian, 0.4% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.4% were Hindu, 0.4% were Buddhist and 3.1% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 96 (16.1%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 114 (19.1%) people had no formal qualifications. 69 people (11.6%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 333 (55.8%) people were employed full-time, 96 (16.1%) were part-time, and 12 (2.0%) were unemployed.[11]
Kaiteriteri-Riwaka statistical area
Kaiteriteri-Riwaka statistical area, which also includes Mārahau and Kaiteriteri, covers 29.48 km2 (11.38 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 1,990 as of June 2024,[12] with a population density of 68 people per km2.
Before the 2023 census, Kaiteriteri-Riwaka had a smaller boundary, covering 28.57 km2 (11.03 sq mi).[1] Using that boundary, Kaiteriteri-Riwaka had a population of 1,761 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 222 people (14.4%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 297 people (20.3%) since the 2006 census. There were 591 households, comprising 915 males and 846 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.08 males per female. The median age was 44.5 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 297 people (16.9%) aged under 15 years, 273 (15.5%) aged 15 to 29, 888 (50.4%) aged 30 to 64, and 306 (17.4%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 90.5% European/Pākehā, 10.4% Māori, 4.9% Pasifika, 1.4% Asian, and 2.7% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
St Barnabas Anglican Church, Riwaka
The percentage of people born overseas was 23.7, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 62.5% had no religion, 26.1% were Christian, 0.7% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.2% were Hindu, 0.5% were Buddhist and 2.7% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 240 (16.4%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 258 (17.6%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $29,000, compared with $31,800 nationally. 162 people (11.1%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 747 (51.0%) people were employed full-time, 279 (19.1%) were part-time, and 36 (2.5%) were unemployed.[13]
Church
The Saint Barnabas Anglican church is located on Main Road, Riwaka.[14]
Education
Riwaka School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students,[15][16] with a roll of 185 as of November 2024.[17] The school, opened in 1848, is one of the oldest schools in New Zealand.[9]
