Waterview is primarily a residential area, with its residents commuting to work. There are few shops: a dairy, laundromat, bakery, and a community-owned cafe.[5] Community facilities are available at Point Chevalier or Avondale, 20–30 minutes walk away.[3][4]
Demographics
Waterview covers 1.12 km2 (0.43 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 3,890 as of June 2024,[2] with a population density of 3,473 people per km2.
Waterview had a population of 4,077 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 702 people (20.8%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 774 people (23.4%) since the 2013 census. There were 1,965 males, 2,085 females and 24 people of other genders in 1,470 dwellings.[8] 6.4% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 33.0 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 822 people (20.2%) aged under 15 years, 954 (23.4%) aged 15 to 29, 1,926 (47.2%) aged 30 to 64, and 375 (9.2%) aged 65 or older.[7]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 51.7% European (Pākehā); 13.8% Māori; 23.4% Pasifika; 20.1% Asian; 7.7% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.4% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 92.1%, Māori language by 2.9%, Samoan by 6.0%, and other languages by 23.9%. No language could be spoken by 3.2% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.4%. The percentage of people born overseas was 35.5, compared with 28.8% nationally.
Of those at least 15 years old, 1,155 (35.5%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 1,299 (39.9%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 807 (24.8%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $44,900, compared with $41,500 nationally. 519 people (15.9%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 1,752 (53.8%) people were employed full-time, 363 (11.2%) were part-time, and 162 (5.0%) were unemployed.[7]
History
The Waterview (Its maori name, Waitango) area, especially along the coast and inlet areas, has a relatively high incidence of archeologically significant areas, from old settlement remnants (both Maori and early European settler), to a comparatively well-retained site of an old mill/tannery and quarry (Star Mill/Garret Bros Tannery) which is scheduled as a Category I Historic Place, and which once used the stream waters to drive a waterwheel.[3][4]
The population of Waterview has been stable since the 2006 census.[6]
Waterview at the bottom left of the picture, with the Waterview Connection under construction in the middle and Pt Chevalier at the top
A major issue that faced Waterview was the construction of SH20 from Hillsborough through to the Northwestern Motorway. The route through Waterview was highly contentious until (and to a degree after) a fast-tracked Board of Inquiry process consented a route in mid-2011, which placed a new motorway tunnel portal and motorway interchange at the north end of the suburb, causing the removal of numerous homes in the area.[9][10]
Public transport facilities from Waterview allow access to a range of destinations in Auckland, and a shared walking and cycling path is proposed to link Waterview with Mt Albert and several other suburbs along the State Highway 16 cycle route.[11]
Education
Waterview Primary School is a coeducational contributing primary (years 1-6) school with a roll of 275 as of November 2024.[12][13] The school opened in 1950. It had to be demolished and a new school built as part of the Waterview Connection.[14][15]
