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Wharekahika / Hicks Bay
Wharekahika / Hicks Bay
Town
	Coordinates: 37°36′S 178°18′E / 37.600°S 178.300°E
Country	New Zealand
Region	Gisborne District
Ward	Tairāwhiti General Ward
Electorates	East Coast; Ikaroa-Rāwhiti (Māori);
Area
• Total	1.28 km2 (0.49 sq mi)
Population (June 2024)
• Total	190
• Density	150/km2 (380/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4087

Wharekahika or Hicks Bay (officially Wharekahika / Hicks Bay) is a bay and coastal area in the Gisborne District of the North Island of New Zealand. It is situated 150 km east of Ōpōtiki and 186 km north of Gisborne city, along State Highway 35 between Potaka and Te Araroa.^[3]

The area is named after Zachary Hickes, second-in-command of James Cook's Endeavour, which sailed along the East Cape on 31 October 1769.^[4] On 10 June 2019, the name of the bay was officially changed to Wharekahika / Hicks Bay.^[5]

Demographics

Statistics New Zealand describes Hicks Bay as a rural settlement, which covers 1.28 km² (0.49 sq mi)^[1] and had an estimated population of 190 as of June 2024,^[2] with a population density of 148 people per km². It is part of the wider East Cape statistical area.^[6]

Historical population
Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
2006	147	—
2013	153	+0.57%
2018	162	+1.15%
Source: ^[7]

Hicks Bay had a population of 162 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 9 people (5.9%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 15 people (10.2%) since the 2006 census. There were 54 households, comprising 75 males and 87 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.86 males per female. The median age was 26.6 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 57 people (35.2%) aged under 15 years, 30 (18.5%) aged 15 to 29, 57 (35.2%) aged 30 to 64, and 18 (11.1%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 14.8% European/Pākehā, 96.3% Māori, and 1.9% Pacific peoples. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 50.0% had no religion, 37.0% were Christian, 1.9% had Māori religious beliefs and 1.9% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 15 (14.3%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 27 (25.7%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $20,000, compared with $31,800 nationally. 9 people (8.6%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 39 (37.1%) people were employed full-time, 15 (14.3%) were part-time, and 9 (8.6%) were unemployed.^[7]

Climate

Hicks Bay experiences a mild, temperate climate, with warm summers and mild winters. The area is known for its frequent rainfall, which helps to keep the landscape lush and green throughout the year.^[8]

Climate data for Hicks Bay, elevation 46 m (151 ft), (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1990–present)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °C (°F)	30.6 (87.1)	31.8 (89.2)	26.5 (79.7)	24.5 (76.1)	23.0 (73.4)	20.6 (69.1)	18.9 (66.0)	18.8 (65.8)	20.2 (68.4)	22.6 (72.7)	24.8 (76.6)	26.3 (79.3)	31.8 (89.2)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	22.0 (71.6)	22.6 (72.7)	21.4 (70.5)	19.5 (67.1)	17.3 (63.1)	15.3 (59.5)	14.4 (57.9)	14.8 (58.6)	15.8 (60.4)	17.1 (62.8)	18.4 (65.1)	20.4 (68.7)	18.3 (64.8)
Daily mean °C (°F)	18.8 (65.8)	19.4 (66.9)	18.2 (64.8)	16.3 (61.3)	14.2 (57.6)	12.1 (53.8)	11.4 (52.5)	11.6 (52.9)	12.7 (54.9)	13.9 (57.0)	15.2 (59.4)	17.3 (63.1)	15.1 (59.2)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	15.5 (59.9)	16.2 (61.2)	14.9 (58.8)	13.0 (55.4)	11.1 (52.0)	9.0 (48.2)	8.4 (47.1)	8.4 (47.1)	9.6 (49.3)	10.8 (51.4)	12.0 (53.6)	14.2 (57.6)	11.9 (53.5)
Record low °C (°F)	7.0 (44.6)	7.8 (46.0)	6.3 (43.3)	2.9 (37.2)	0.6 (33.1)	1.2 (34.2)	0.9 (33.6)	1.0 (33.8)	2.2 (36.0)	1.7 (35.1)	2.9 (37.2)	5.7 (42.3)	0.6 (33.1)
Average rainfall mm (inches)	79.2 (3.12)	100.2 (3.94)	106.1 (4.18)	101.0 (3.98)	140.2 (5.52)	168.2 (6.62)	160.0 (6.30)	137.2 (5.40)	99.5 (3.92)	99.8 (3.93)	77.4 (3.05)	102.5 (4.04)	1,371.3 (54)
Source: NIWA^[9]

Marae

The local Hinemaurea ki Wharekahika Marae is a meeting place for the Ngāti Porou hapū of Ngāti Tuere, Te Whānau a Te Aotakī and Te Whānau a Tuwhakairiora.^[10] It includes the Tūwhakairiora meeting house.^[11]

In October 2020, the Government committed $520,760 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade Hinemaurea ki Wharekahika Marae and Pōtaka Marae, creating 12 jobs.^[12]