Makarora is a small community within the Queenstown-Lakes District of the Otago region of the South Island of New Zealand.

Makarora
Community
Map
Coordinates: 44°14′S 169°14′E / 44.233°S 169.233°E / -44.233; 169.233
CountryNew Zealand
RegionOtago
Territorial authorityQueenstown-Lakes District
WardWānaka-Upper Clutha Ward
CommunityWānaka-Upper Clutha Community
Electorates
Government
 • Territorial authorityQueenstown-Lakes District Council
 • Regional councilOtago Regional Council
 • Mayor of Queenstown-LakesGlyn Lewers
 • Waitaki MPMiles Anderson
 • Te Tai Tonga MPTākuta Ferris
Time zoneUTC+12 (NZST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+13 (NZDT)
Local iwiNgāi Tahu

It is situated on State Highway 6 on the eastern side of the Haast Pass and adjacent to the Makarora River.

Local tourism operators offer scenic plane flights and jetboating tours on the Makarora River, which is the border of the Mount Aspiring National Park. The 2022 film Nude Tuesday was shot at the Wonderland Lodge in Makarora.[1][2]

Demographics edit

Makarora is part of the Outer Wānaka statistical area, which covers 3,176.08 km2 (1,226.29 sq mi)[3] and had an estimated population of 420 as of June 2023,[4] with a population density of 0.13 people per km2.

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
2006336—    
2013378+1.70%
2018399+1.09%
Source: [5]

Outer Wānaka had a population of 399 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 21 people (5.6%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 63 people (18.8%) since the 2006 census. There were 162 households, comprising 204 males and 192 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.06 males per female. The median age was 45.1 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 72 people (18.0%) aged under 15 years, 57 (14.3%) aged 15 to 29, 228 (57.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 36 (9.0%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 96.2% European/Pākehā, 10.5% Māori, 0.8% Asian, and 0.8% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 18.8, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 64.7% had no religion, and 29.3% were Christian.

Of those at least 15 years old, 87 (26.6%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 21 (6.4%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $32,800, compared with $31,800 nationally. 63 people (19.3%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 183 (56.0%) people were employed full-time, 78 (23.9%) were part-time, and 3 (0.9%) were unemployed.[5]

Panorama of Makarora as seen from State Highway 6

Education edit

Makarora Primary School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students,[6][7] with a roll of 10 as of February 2024.[8] The school was first established in 1895.[9]

References edit

  1. ^ "Nude Tuesday". NZ Film. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
  2. ^ Hawkes, Colleen (12 June 2022). "Nude Tuesday mad romp awarded five stars by The Guardian reviewer". Stuff. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
  3. ^ "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
  4. ^ "Population estimate tables - NZ.Stat". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  5. ^ a b "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Outer Wānaka (345900). 2018 Census place summary: Outer Wānaka
  6. ^ "Makarora Primary School Official School Website". makarora.school.nz.
  7. ^ "Makarora Primary School Ministry of Education School Profile". educationcounts.govt.nz. Ministry of Education.
  8. ^ "Makarora Primary School Education Review Office Report". ero.govt.nz. Education Review Office.
  9. ^ "Telegraphic". Lake Whakatip Mail. 23 August 1895.