Ngongotahā is a small settlement on the western shores of Lake Rotorua in the North Island of New Zealand. It is located 10 km (6.2 mi) northwest of the Rotorua central business district, and is part of the functional urban area.^[3] Ngongotahā is considered as a suburb of Rotorua,^[4] and has a population of 5,230 as of June 2023.^[2]

Its name is derived from a legend of Ihenga, the famous Māori explorer. It is said Īhenga met the Patu-paiarehe on Mount Ngongotahā and was offered a drink from a calabash. Ngongo means "to drink", and tahā means "calabash".^[5] Ngongotahā is often referred to by locals as the "Sunny side of the Mountain".

Demographics

Ngongotahā covers 12.91 km² (4.98 sq mi)^[1] and had an estimated population of 5,230 as of June 2023,^[2] with a population density of 405 people per km².

Ngongotahā had a population of 4,872 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 618 people (14.5%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 810 people (19.9%) since the 2006 census. There were 1,773 households, comprising 2,388 males and 2,478 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.96 males per female, with 1,023 people (21.0%) aged under 15 years, 867 (17.8%) aged 15 to 29, 2,088 (42.9%) aged 30 to 64, and 888 (18.2%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 68.2% European/Pākehā, 41.9% Māori, 5.5% Pacific peoples, 4.2% Asian, and 1.6% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 14.3, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 52.2% had no religion, 34.9% were Christian, 3.1% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.4% were Hindu, 0.2% were Muslim, 0.2% were Buddhist and 1.2% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 618 (16.1%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 804 (20.9%) people had no formal qualifications. 414 people (10.8%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 1,812 (47.1%) people were employed full-time, 576 (15.0%) were part-time, and 168 (4.4%) were unemployed.^[6]

Marae

Ngongotahā has six marae.

Te Awawherowhero Marae is affiliated with the Ngāti Whakaue hapū of Ngāti Rautao.

Parawai Marae and its Whatumairangi meeting house are affiliated with the Ngāti Whakaue hapū of Ngāti Tuteaiti and Te Whatumairangi, and Te Ure o Uenukukōpako hapū of Ngāti Te Ngākau and Ngāti Tura.

Tarimano Marae and Tawakeheimoa meeting house are affiliated with the Ngāti Rangiwewehi hapū of Ngāti Rangiwewehi ki Uta. In October 2020, the Government committed $4,525,104 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade the marae and nine others, creating an estimated 34 jobs.^[10]

Tārukenga Marae and Te Ngākau meeting house are affiliated with the Ngāti Whakaue hapū of Ngāti Te Ngakau and Ngāti Tura, and Te Ure o Uenukukōpako's hapū of Ngāti Te Ngākau and Ngāti Tura.

Waikuta Marae and its Rangitunaeke meeting house are affiliated with the Ngāti Whakaue hapū of Ngāti Rangitunaeke.

Waitetī or Weriweri Marae and its Ngāraranui meeting house are affiliated with the Ngāti Whakaue hapū of Ngāti Ngāraranui, and Te Ure o Uenukukōpako hapū of Ngāti Ngāraranui.^[11][12] In October 2020, the Government committed $372,420 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade the marae, and create 20 jobs.^[10]

Mount Ngongotahā

Mount Ngongotahā is a 757 metres (2,484 ft) high rhyolite dome. It towers above the suburb and has a gondola to the top where there is a viewing platform, luge and restaurant.^[13]

The Mount Ngongotahā Jubilee Track provides the only walking track to the summit, and passes through a scenic reserve. The first section of the track is through original native forest that has not been logged. One of the features is a rātā tree 40 metres (130 ft) tall, and 1.8 metres (5 ft 11 in) in girth. The original track was cut on Jubilee Day, marking 50 years since the arrival of Captain William Hobson at Waitangi.^[14]

Another visitor attraction on the slopes of Mount Ngongotahā is the Wingspan National Bird of Prey Centre. It is a captive breeding facility and visitor centre located in the Ngongotahā Valley. Wingspan undertakes conservation, education and research activities related to birds of prey found in New Zealand, and provides demonstrations of falconry.^[15]

Sports

The village has strong football (Ngongotaha AFC), rugby league (Ngongotaha Sports & Community Association), rugby union, netball and touch teams.

Transport

The main road through the village, known as SH 36, runs via Kaharoa and Pyes Pa to Tauranga.

The Rotorua Branch railway runs through Ngongotahā, although this has been unused since the turn of the century. A railway park, operated by a trust and run by volunteers, provides train rides on a scale model steam train and a mini diesel-locomotive on the western side of Ngongotahā near the former line.^[16]

Fishing

The Ngongotahā Stream, which flows through the village centre and onward into Lake Rotorua is one of the most heavily fished areas in New Zealand. Specimen rainbow trout and brown trout are regularly taken by fly fishermen. Other nearby streams (Awahou, Waiteti and Hamurana) also offer good fishing.

Education

Ngongotaha School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 6 students,^[17][18] with a roll of 381 as of April 2023.^[19]

Notable people

Despite its small size, Ngongotahā has produced a number of famous New Zealanders, including:

• Temuera Morrison, actor
• Phillip Orchard, New Zealand international rugby league player (1960s–1970s)
• Robert Orchard, New Zealand international rugby league player (1960s–1970s)
• Jeremy Paul, Australian international rugby player, a 1999 World Cup winner
• Hika Reid, New Zealand international rugby union player 1980–1986
• Ron Russell, Canadian politician

References

Media related to Mount Ngongotaha at Wikimedia Commons