In 1910 the area was used for growing potatoes.[3] In 1917 a son of businessman and politician, Robert Gillies, Arthur William Gillies (1871[4]-1940),[5] started the development of Kawaha Point, when he offered an area for a hospital, on condition that the government improve the road.[4] A loan to improve the road was approved in 1924.[5] Land was sold in 1927[6] and more in 1929.[7] Initially development was only on the south side of the point.[8] The area to the north was built between about 1966[9] and 2000.[10]
Demographics
Kawaha statistical area, which corresponds to this suburb, covers 1.03 km2 (0.40 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 1,990 as of June 2024,[2] with a population density of 1,932 people per km2.
Kawaha had a population of 1,902 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 129 people (7.3%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 261 people (15.9%) since the 2006 census. There were 687 households, comprising 930 males and 975 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.95 males per female. The median age was 39.3 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 411 people (21.6%) aged under 15 years, 333 (17.5%) aged 15 to 29, 846 (44.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 312 (16.4%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 66.1% European/Pākehā, 33.4% Māori, 7.3% Pacific peoples, 10.6% Asian, and 2.4% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 21.8, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 48.7% had no religion, 36.4% were Christian, 2.5% had Māori religious beliefs, 1.4% were Hindu, 0.5% were Muslim, 1.1% were Buddhist and 2.4% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 339 (22.7%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 246 (16.5%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $31,200, compared with $31,800 nationally. 285 people (19.1%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 741 (49.7%) people were employed full-time, 201 (13.5%) were part-time, and 87 (5.8%) were unemployed.[11]
Education
Kawaha Point School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 6 students,[12][13] with a roll of 226 as of August 2024.[14] The school teaches some classes in the Māori language.[15] The school opened in 1979.[16]
Transport
Kawaha has been served by a bus since at least 1943[17] and now has a half-hourly service.[18] Ngongotahā cycleway, which was opened in 2012,[19] runs to the west of Kawaha.[20]
