Omata
Omata is a locality in Taranaki, in the western North Island of New Zealand. It is located on New [Zealand State Highway 45|State Highway 45] just southwest of New Plymouth. Omata and Western New Plymouth are adjacent to the Tapuae Marine Reserve.
The area was the site of the Omata Stockade, built to house soldiers during tensions at the time of the First Taranaki War in 1860–61, and is near the site of the Battle of Waireka on 28 March 1860. The stockade, designed and constructed by local settlers, was built on the site of Ngāturi Pā. In August 1860, most of Omata village was burnt down during the war. Troops were stationed at the stockade until 1866, and it was demolished by farmers and the remains auctioned off in late 1867.
Demographics
Omata statistical area covers and had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km2.Omata had a population of 555 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 90 people since the 2018 census, and an increase of 153 people since the 2013 census. There were 279 males and 276 females in 201 dwellings. 2.2% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 45.0 years. There were 111 people aged under 15 years, 78 aged 15 to 29, 249 aged 30 to 64, and 114 aged 65 or older.
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 93.0% European ; 13.0% Māori; 1.6% Pasifika; 3.2% Asian; 0.5% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders ; and 1.6% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 96.8%, Māori by 2.7%, Samoan by 0.5%, and other languages by 7.0%. No language could be spoken by 1.6%. The percentage of people born overseas was 16.2, compared with 28.8% nationally.
Religious affiliations were 31.4% Christian, 0.5% Hindu, 0.5% Buddhist, and 0.5% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 56.2%, and 9.7% of people did not answer the census question.
Of those at least 15 years old, 105 people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 258 had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 87 people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $43,600, compared with $41,500 nationally. 69 people earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 210 full-time, 96 part-time, and 6 unemployed.