Population
Between the 1996 and 2006 censuses, the population increased by 21 per cent, similar to the regional growth rate of 22 per cent during that time. Medium population projections suggest that the population will continue to grow, and the area could be home to 11,400 residents by 2031.
In 2006, the age structure of the population was similar to the regional structure, but did have a higher proportion of residents aged 65 years and over. The median age was 41.3 years, older than the regional median of 33.9 years, and the second oldest in the region after Great Barrier Island (48.9 years).
A quarter (27%) of local residents were born overseas, and of that group, 66 per cent had been in New Zealand for ten years or more. Among the overseas born, the largest group was born in the United Kingdom, with smaller groups from the United States and Germany.
Households
In 2006, there were 3,366 households in Waiheke Local Board, 1 per cent of the regional count. The median household income was $38,725 – considerably lower than the regional median at $63,387.
In 2006, 67 per cent of households owned the dwelling they lived in (this includes 12% who owned it in a family trust), compared with 64 per cent regionally. The majority of households that rented (98%) rented from private landlords.
Almost one in five (19%) of households were couples with children, and a further 11 per cent were sole parents with children. The proportion of households that was one person only (33%) was higher than across Auckland (20%).
Education and employment
Levels of formal education were in line with the overall region. In 2006, 20 per cent of all residents aged 15 years and over had no formal educational qualification, compared with 20 per cent regionally, and 21 per cent had gained a bachelor’s degree or higher, compared to 20 per cent regionally.
Just under half (45%) of residents aged 15 years and over were employed full-time and a further 18 per cent part-time. Of those employed, 62 per cent were paid employees, and a quarter (27%) were self employed.
Around 44 per cent were managers or professionals, while 14 per cent were technicians and trade workers.
Business in the local board
Most people who work in the local board are employed in accommodation and food services (23%) and retail trade
(15%), much of this catering to the visitor market.
The largest number of local businesses were in the rental, hiring and real estate services sector (18% of all business units in the area), followed by professional, scientific and technical services (15%) and construction (14%). Many of these businesses are small businesses that employ less than five people.
During the period from 2000 to 2011, employment in the local board increased by 54 per cent, resulting in 740 more employees (compared to 20% growth across the region). This was driven by increases across almost all sectors, particularly the accommodation and food services, and the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector.
All data presented here is from the 2006 Census of Population and Dwellings, unless stated otherwise. School data is provided by Auckland Council, using Ministry of Education information. ‘Business in the local board’ data is from Statistics New Zealand’s Business Demographic data. A school’s decile rating indicates the extent to which it draws its students from low socio-economic communities. Decile 1 schools are the 10 per cent of schools with the highest proportion of students from low socio-economic communities. Decile 10 schools are the 10 per cent of schools with the lowest proportion of these students. The census allows respondents to select more than one ethnicity group, hence the ethnicity percentages may total more than 100.
