Mōkau
Settlement in Waikato, New Zealand
title: "Mōkau" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["populated-places-in-waikato", "waitomo-district"] description: "Settlement in Waikato, New Zealand" topic_path: "general/populated-places-in-waikato" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mōkau" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary Settlement in Waikato, New Zealand ::
::data[format=table title="Infobox settlement"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Mōkau |
| mapframe | yes |
| mapframe-zoom | 9 |
| image_skyline | Mokau panorama.jpg |
| image_caption | Mōkau panorama: river, SH3 bridge, beach - and Mt. Taranaki far away (82km = 51mi) in the background |
| subdivision_type | Country |
| subdivision_name | New Zealand |
| subdivision_type1 | Region |
| subdivision_type2 | District |
| subdivision_name1 | Waikato region |
| subdivision_name2 | Waitomo District |
| subdivision_type3 | Ward |
| subdivision_name3 | Waitomo Rural Ward |
| leader_title | Territorial Authority |
| leader_name | Waitomo District Council |
| leader_title1 | Regional council |
| leader_name1 | Waikato Regional Council |
| leader_title2 | Mayor of Waitomo |
| leader_name2 | |
| leader_title3 | Taranaki-King Country MP |
| leader_name3 | |
| leader_title4 | Hauraki-Waikato MP |
| leader_name4 | |
| seat_type | Electorates |
| seat | |
| total_type | Territorial |
| settlement_type | Village |
| utc_offset_DST | +13 |
| postal_code_type | |
| coordinates | |
| timezone_DST | NZDT |
| utc_offset | +12 |
| timezone | NZST |
| area_footnotes | |
| area_total_km2 | 2.24 |
| population_footnotes | |
| population_as_of | |
| population_total | |
| population_density_km2 | auto |
| :: |
| name = Mōkau | map_caption = | mapsize = | mapframe = yes | mapframe-zoom = 9 | image_skyline = Mokau panorama.jpg | image_caption = Mōkau panorama: river, SH3 bridge, beach - and Mt. Taranaki far away (82km = 51mi) in the background | imagesize = | motto = | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = New Zealand | subdivision_type1 = Region | subdivision_type2 = District | subdivision_name1 = Waikato region | subdivision_name2 = Waitomo District | subdivision_type3 = Ward | subdivision_name3 = Waitomo Rural Ward | leader_title = Territorial Authority | leader_name = Waitomo District Council | leader_title1 = Regional council | leader_name1 = Waikato Regional Council | leader_title2 = Mayor of Waitomo | leader_name2 = | leader_title3 = Taranaki-King Country MP | leader_name3 = | leader_title4 = Hauraki-Waikato MP | leader_name4 = | seat_type = Electorates | seat = | total_type = Territorial | settlement_type = Village | utc_offset_DST = +13 | website = | area_code = | postal_code = | postal_code_type = | coordinates = | timezone_DST = NZDT | utc_offset = +12 | timezone = NZST | area_footnotes = | area_total_km2 = 2.24 | population_footnotes = | population_as_of = | population_total = | population_density_km2 = auto | elevation_m = | pushpin_mapsize = | official_name = Mōkau is a small town on the west coast of New Zealand's North Island, located at the mouth of the Mōkau River on the North Taranaki Bight. Mōkau is in the Waitomo District and Waikato region local government areas, just north of the boundary with the New Plymouth District and the Taranaki Region. Prior to 1989, the town was classed as being in Taranaki, and there is still a feeling that the community of interest is most associated with New Plymouth, 90 km to the southwest. State Highway 3 passes through the town on its route from Te Kūiti to Waitara and, eventually, New Plymouth.
The Mōkau River Bridge opened in 1927.
Mōkau is a popular location for whitebaiting and other fishing including for kahawai (mainly found at the river mouth) and snapper (which are found right along the coast in several spots).
Mōkau also has a couple of outstanding surf breaks that, in the right conditions, can produce waves of up to 6 ft (1.8m).
The local marae, Te Kawau Papakainga Marae and Waiopapa meeting house, are affiliated with the Ngāti Maniapoto hapū of Ngāti Rākei, Rōrā and Rungaterangi.
Demographics
Statistics New Zealand describes Mōkau as a rural settlement, which covers 2.24 km2. It had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km2. The settlement is part of the larger Herangi statistical area.
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/04/20250130-DJI_0767.jpg" caption="Aerial view of the coast looking south towards Mōkau."] ::
Mōkau had a population of 114 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 15 people (15.2%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 21 people (22.6%) since the 2013 census. There were 60 males and 54 females in 60 dwellings. The median age was 62.0 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 6 people (5.3%) aged under 15 years, 6 (5.3%) aged 15 to 29, 57 (50.0%) aged 30 to 64, and 42 (36.8%) aged 65 or older.
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 84.2% European (Pākehā), 28.9% Māori, 5.3% Asian, and 7.9% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 100.0%, Māori by 2.6%, and other languages by 5.3%. The percentage of people born overseas was 7.9, compared with 28.8% nationally.
Religious affiliations were 34.2% Christian, 2.6% Māori religious beliefs, and 2.6% Buddhist. People who answered that they had no religion were 52.6%, and 10.5% of people did not answer the census question.
Of those at least 15 years old, 9 (8.3%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 51 (47.2%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 48 (44.4%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $28,100, compared with $41,500 nationally. 9 people (8.3%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 33 (30.6%) full-time and 18 (16.7%) part-time.
Education
Mōkau School is a co-educational state primary school, with a roll of as of It opened in 1894.
Museum and art gallery
Mōkau has a small community museum and art gallery.
Climate
| width = auto | metric first = y | single line = y | collapsed = Y | location = Mōkau (1991–2020) | Jan high C = 21.8 | Feb high C = 22.6 | Mar high C = 21.2 | Apr high C = 18.8 | May high C = 16.6 | Jun high C = 14.8 | Jul high C = 13.8 | Aug high C = 14.1 | Sep high C = 15.4 | Oct high C = 16.5 | Nov high C = 18.0 | Dec high C = 20.0 | year high C = | Jan mean C = 18.3 | Feb mean C = 18.8 | Mar mean C = 17.3 | Apr mean C = 15.2 | May mean C = 13.3 | Jun mean C = 11.3 | Jul mean C = 10.3 | Aug mean C = 10.7 | Sep mean C = 12.0 | Oct mean C = 13.2 | Nov mean C = 14.5 | Dec mean C = 16.8 | year mean C = | Jan low C = 14.7 | Feb low C = 14.9 | Mar low C = 13.4 | Apr low C = 11.6 | May low C = 9.9 | Jun low C = 7.8 | Jul low C = 6.8 | Aug low C = 7.2 | Sep low C = 8.6 | Oct low C = 9.8 | Nov low C = 11.0 | Dec low C = 13.5 | year low C = | rain colour = green | Jan rain mm = 96.4 | Feb rain mm = 98.6 | Mar rain mm = 144.0 | Apr rain mm = 138.4 | May rain mm = 130.0 | Jun rain mm = 152.6 | Jul rain mm = 149.5 | Aug rain mm = 138.3 | Sep rain mm = 115.7 | Oct rain mm = 114.6 | Nov rain mm = 128.6 | Dec rain mm = 105.8 | year rain mm = | source 1 = NIWA (rain 1981–2010) |url = http://cliflo.niwa.co.nz |title = CliFlo – National Climate Database : Mokau, Mohakatino Stn |publisher = NIWA |access-date = 20 May 2024}} | source =
References
References
- McKinlay Douglas Ltd. (October 2006). "Local government structure and efficiency".
- [https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/photos/id/256693 Auckland Weekly News photo of 1927 opening of Mokau River Bridge]
- "Te Kāhui Māngai directory". [[Te Puni Kōkiri]].
- "Māori Maps". Te Potiki National Trust.
- "Stats NZ Geographic Data Service".
- "Geographic Boundary Viewer". Stats NZ.
- {{NZ census 2018. 7013195
- "Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer.
- "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer.
- "Ministry of Education School Profile". [[Ministry of Education (New Zealand).
- "Education Review Office Report". [[Education Review Office]].
- "Mokau School centennial, 1894-1994". Mokau School.
- "About Us".
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