The statistical area of Mercury Bay South, which also includes Coroglen and Hahei, but not Cooks Beach or Tairua, covers 359.40 km2 (138.77 sq mi)[3] and had an estimated population of 1,470 as of June 2023,[4] with a population density of 4.1 people per km2.
View from Whenuakite Kiwi Zone Viewpoint , about 9 km southeast of Whenuakite
Mercury Bay South had a population of 1,224 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 132 people (12.1%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 54 people (4.6%) since the 2006 census. There were 474 households, comprising 612 males and 612 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.0 males per female. The median age was 49.7 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 192 people (15.7%) aged under 15 years, 165 (13.5%) aged 15 to 29, 585 (47.8%) aged 30 to 64, and 282 (23.0%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 94.4% European/Pākehā, 10.5% Māori, 2.0% Pacific peoples, 1.7% Asian, and 1.5% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 17.9, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 58.8% had no religion, 28.4% were Christian, 0.2% were Muslim, 0.7% were Buddhist and 2.5% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 198 (19.2%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 159 (15.4%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $28,500, compared with $31,800 nationally. 132 people (12.8%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 483 (46.8%) people were employed full-time, 216 (20.9%) were part-time, and 24 (2.3%) were unemployed.[5]
Education
Whenuakite School is a coeducational full primary school (years 1–8) with a roll of 130 as of February 2024.[6][7] The school was founded in 1908.[8]
Notes
^Peter Dowling, ed. (2004). Reed New Zealand Atlas. Reed Books. pp. map 16. ISBN0-7900-0952-8.
^Roger Smith, GeographX (2005). The Geographic Atlas of New Zealand. Robbie Burton. pp. map 41. ISBN1-877333-20-4.