Ngongotahā


Ngongotahā is a small settlement on the western shores of Lake Rotorua in the North Island of New Zealand. It is located northwest of the Rotorua central business district, and is considered as a suburb of Rotorua. It is part of the Rotorua functional urban area as defined by Statistics New Zealand. Ngongotahā has a population of as of
Its name is derived from a legend of Ihenga, the famous Māori explorer. It is said Īhenga met the Patu-paiarehe on Mount Ngongotahā and was offered a drink from a calabash. Ngongo means "to drink", and tahā means "calabash". Ngongotahā is often referred to by locals as the "Sunny side of the Mountain".

Demographics

Stats NZ describes Ngongotahā as a small urban area, which covers. It had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km2.
Ngongotahā had a population of 5,124 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 255 people since the 2018 census, and an increase of 870 people since the 2013 census. There were 2,481 males, 2,631 females, and 9 people of other genders in 1,857 dwellings. 2.9% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 40.7 years. There were 1,005 people aged under 15 years, 876 aged 15 to 29, 2,226 aged 30 to 64, and 1,014 aged 65 or older.
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 68.1% European ; 43.7% Māori; 6.1% Pasifika; 5.6% Asian; 0.9% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders ; and 2.1% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 96.8%, Māori by 13.9%, Samoan by 0.4%, and other languages by 6.4%. No language could be spoken by 2.2%. New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.5%. The percentage of people born overseas was 14.2, compared with 28.8% nationally.
Religious affiliations were 29.5% Christian, 0.8% Hindu, 0.4% Islam, 2.6% Māori religious beliefs, 0.3% Buddhist, 0.6% New Age, and 1.5% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 56.2%, and 8.5% of people did not answer the census question.
Of those at least 15 years old, 738 people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 2,337 had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 1,047 people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $36,600, compared with $41,500 nationally. 285 people earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 2,001 full-time, 537 part-time, and 153 unemployed.
NameArea
PopulationDensity
DwellingsMedian ageMedian
income
Ngongotahā East2.871,98069068141.7 years$34,900
Ngongotahā West1.441,6711,16060337.9 years$38,100
Ngongotahā South8.591,47617257342.5 years$36,800
New Zealand38.1 years$41,500

Marae

The Ngongotahā area has six marae:
Mount Ngongotahā is a high rhyolite dome. It towers above the suburb and has a gondola to the top where there is a viewing platform, luge and restaurant.
The Mount Ngongotahā Jubilee Track provides the only walking track to the summit, and passes through a scenic reserve. The first section of the track is through original native forest that has not been logged. One of the features is a rātā tree tall, and in girth. The original track was cut on Jubilee Day, marking 50 years since the arrival of Captain William Hobson at Waitangi.
Another visitor attraction on the slopes of Mount Ngongotahā is the Wingspan National Bird of Prey Centre. It is a captive breeding facility and visitor centre located in the Ngongotahā Valley. Wingspan undertakes conservation, education and research activities related to birds of prey found in New Zealand, and provides demonstrations of falconry.

Sports

The village has strong football, rugby league, rugby union, netball and touch teams.

Transport

The main road through the village, known as SH 36, runs via Kaharoa and Pyes Pa to Tauranga.
The Rotorua Branch railway runs through Ngongotahā, although this has been unused since the turn of the century. A railway park, operated by a trust and run by volunteers, provides train rides on a scale model steam train and a mini diesel-locomotive on the western side of Ngongotahā near the former line.

Fishing

The Ngongotahā Stream, which flows through the village centre and onward into Lake Rotorua is one of the most heavily fished areas in New Zealand. Specimen rainbow trout and brown trout are regularly taken by fly fishermen. Other nearby streams also offer good fishing.

Education

Ngongotaha School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 6 students, with a roll of as of It opened in 1911.

Notable people

Despite its small size, Ngongotahā has produced a number of famous New Zealanders, including:
  • Temuera Morrison, actor
  • Phillip Orchard, New Zealand international rugby league player
  • Robert Orchard, New Zealand international rugby league player
  • Jeremy Paul, Australian international rugby player, a 1999 World Cup winner
  • Hika Reid, New Zealand international rugby union player 1980–1986
  • Ron Russell, Canadian politician