Town on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand
Waimangaroa is a small town located on the West Coast of New Zealand.
The township lies on the south-west bank of the Waimangaroa River, at the western foot of the Denniston Plateau. It is to the north east of Westport and 13 km south-east of Granity. The abandoned coaltown of Denniston is about to the south-east. The Bridle Track, a scenic bush track, leads south-east along the Denniston Incline into the foothills of the Mt William Range, to Denniston. The Stockton mine, a large open cast coal mine, is operated in the vicinity by Solid Energy.
The Ngakawau Branch, a branch line railway, runs through the town. It opened to Waimangaroa on 5 August 1876; it formerly ran to Seddonville but now terminates in Ngakawau. From 1877 until 1967, Waimangaroa was also the junction for the Conns Creek Branch, which ran east alongside the Waimangaroa River to the foot of the Denniston Incline. Passenger services ceased on the Conns Creek Branch in 1931 and Ngakawau Branch on 14 October 1946. Since this time, the railway through Waimangaroa has almost solely conveyed coal.
The beaches to the west have dangerous currents and are not safe for swimming.
Demographics.
Waimangaroa is described by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement and covers . It had an estimated population of 230 as of June 2024, with a population density of people per km2. It is part of the larger Buller Coalfields statistical area.
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Waimangaroa had a population of 228 at the 2018 New Zealand census, a decrease of 24 people (−9.5%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 3 people (1.3%) since the 2006 census. There were 99 households, comprising 123 males and 105 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.17 males per female, with 45 people (19.7%) aged under 15 years, 21 (9.2%) aged 15 to 29, 105 (46.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 54 (23.7%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 89.5% European/Pākehā, 10.5% Māori, 1.3% Pasifika, and 2.6% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 56.6% had no religion, 28.9% were Christian and 1.3% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 12 (6.6%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 51 (27.9%) people had no formal qualifications. 12 people (6.6%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 66 (36.1%) people were employed full-time, 18 (9.8%) were part-time, and 9 (4.9%) were unemployed.
Education.
Waimangaroa School was a coeducational full primary school (years 1-8). The school celebrated its 125th jubilee in 2004. It closed permanently in 2012 and is now in private ownership. Waimangaroa children now attend schools in Westport.
References.
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