Medlands Beach
Medlands Beach | |
|---|---|
 Medlands Beach, seen from the Sugar Loaf hill | |
 | |
| Coordinates: 36°15′57″S 175°29′37″E / 36.2658°S 175.4937°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Auckland Region |
| Ward | Waitematā and Gulf ward |
| Local board | Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board |
| Electorates | |
| Government | |
| • Territorial Authority | Auckland Council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 6.04 km2 (2.33 sq mi) |
| Population (June 2023)[2] | |
| • Total | 90 |
| • Density | 15/km2 (39/sq mi) |
Medlands Beach is in Oruawharo Bay on the east coast of Great Barrier Island in the Auckland Region of New Zealand.[3] Auckland Council describes it as the most accessible beach on the island.[3] It is one of the island's main tourist areas but is little developed.[4] The small settlement of Medlands consists of permanent houses and holiday baches, some behind the dunes, sheltered from winds from the sea, and others elevated for a view.[3]
Medlands Beach is directly south of Kaitoke Beach, with the Sugar Loaf hill and Pitokuku Island in-between. Sugar Loaf hill offers great views of the beach but is a privately owned farm with cattle and bulls and cannot be climbed without permission from the landowners - the Blackwells. Alternatively good views of the beach is offered from the road connecting Medlands to Claris. The beach is a "sweep of white sand"[4] 2.1 kilometres long that can be walked both ways in 90 minutes. Halfway along the beach is Memory Rock, also called Medlands Rock, with a short informal walking track to the summit, where there are views across the bay.[3]
At the northern end of the beach is an exposed beach surf break
The settlement has Great Barrier Island's only traditional church building, St John's Community Church, which is used ecumenically.
Demographics
Statistics New Zealand describes Medlands Beach as a rural settlement, which covers 6.04 km2 (2.33 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 90 as of June 2023,[2] with a population density of 15 people per km2. Medlands Beach is part of the larger Barrier Islands statistical area.[8]
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 96 | — |
| 2013 | 87 | −1.40% |
| 2018 | 75 | −2.92% |
| Source: [9] | ||
Medlands Beach had a population of 75 at the
Ethnicities were 92.0% European/Pākehā, 4.0% Māori, and 4.0% other ethnicities. Percentages may add up to more than 100% as people may identify with multiple ethnicities.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 56.0% had no religion and 24.0% were Christian.
Of those at least 15 years old, 12 (18.2%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 15 (22.7%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $19,700, compared with $31,800 nationally. 3 people (4.5%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 21 (31.8%) people were employed full-time, 9 (13.6%) were part-time, and 6 (9.1%) were unemployed.[9]
Education
Kaitoke School is a coeducational full primary (years 1-8) school[10] with a roll of 46 students as of February 2024.[11] The school was established in 1988, replacing an earlier Kaitoke School.[12]
Notable Residents
Jim Allen and Pamela Allen[13] - sculptor and child's book author.
References
- ^ a b "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 23 May 2022.
- ^ a b "Subnational population estimates (RC, SA2), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023. (regional councils); "Subnational population estimates (TA, SA2), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023. (territorial authorities); "Subnational population estimates (urban rural), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023. (urban areas)
- ^ a b c d e "Medlands Beach Path". aucklandcouncil.govt.nz. Auckland Council.
- ^ New Zealand Herald. New Zealand Media and Entertainment.
- ^ "Medlands Beach". greatbarrierisland.nz. Destination Great Barrier Island.
- ^ "Medlands Beach Campsite". doc.govt.nz. Department of Conservation.
- ^ "St John's Community Church, Great Barrier Island". Catholic Diocese Of Auckland. 22 November 2020. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
- ^ 2018 Census place summary: Barrier Islands
- ^ a b "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. 7001134.
- ^ Education Counts: Kaitoke School
- ^ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
- ^ "A Bit of History". Kaitoke School. Retrieved 23 May 2022.
- ^ "Great Barrier Island History". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 23 August 2023.