Tamahere is a locality (located on a semi-rural ward that bears the same name) within Waikato District, New Zealand; on the outskirts of Hamilton. The majority of the Ward is zoned as Country Living, with a minimum lot size of 0.5ha. The landscape is dominated by several large gully systems that contribute to the Waikato River.
Alongside the village proper, the ward of Tamahere also includes the locality of The Narrows. In 2019, a new recreational reserve (Tamahere Park) was opened and includes sports fields for cricket, rugby, junior soccer and La Crosse. Destination playground and skate-park were jointly funded by community funds and Waikato District Council. A commercial hub was also added, including a 4 Square supermarket, a medical centre, a pharmacy, and a bakery, Waikato council office and serviced offices.[6]
Tamahere covers 57.51 km2 (22.20 sq mi)[4] and had an estimated population of 7,010 as of June 2024,[5] with a population density of 122 people per km2.
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 4,029 | — |
| 2013 | 4,965 | +3.03% |
| 2018 | 6,126 | +4.29% |
| 2023 | 6,723 | +1.88% |
| Source: [7][8] | ||
Tamahere had a population of 6,723 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 597 people (9.7%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 1,758 people (35.4%) since the 2013 census. There were 3,309 males, 3,402 females and 15 people of other genders in 2,262 dwellings.[9] 2.0% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 47.0 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 1,293 people (19.2%) aged under 15 years, 954 (14.2%) aged 15 to 29, 2,994 (44.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 1,482 (22.0%) aged 65 or older.[7]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 85.3% European (Pākehā); 10.3% Māori; 1.1% Pasifika; 11.2% Asian; 0.8% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.7% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 97.6%, Māori language by 2.1%, Samoan by 0.1%, and other languages by 12.3%. No language could be spoken by 1.1% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.3%. The percentage of people born overseas was 23.3, compared with 28.8% nationally.[7]
Religious affiliations were 36.9% Christian, 1.9% Hindu, 0.5% Islam, 0.2% Māori religious beliefs, 0.6% Buddhist, 0.1% New Age, 0.1% Jewish, and 1.4% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 52.6%, and 5.8% of people did not answer the census question.[7]
Of those at least 15 years old, 2,058 (37.9%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 2,535 (46.7%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 837 (15.4%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $51,400, compared with $41,500 nationally. 1,386 people (25.5%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 2,607 (48.0%) people were employed full-time, 906 (16.7%) were part-time, and 66 (1.2%) were unemployed.[7]
| Name | Area (km2) |
Population | Density (per km2) |
Dwellings | Median age | Median income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tamahere North | 12.98 | 2,706 | 208 | 963 | 49.9 years | $46,500[10] |
| Tamahere West | 5.69 | 1,734 | 305 | 495 | 41.0 years | $59,700[11] |
| Tamahere South | 38.84 | 2,289 | 59 | 804 | 48.2 years | $50,600[12] |
| New Zealand | 38.1 years | $41,500 |
On 5 April 2008 a coolstore caught fire and one fireman was killed and seven injured, when 400 kg (880 lb) of a propane and ethane refrigerant exploded. The site is being developed in to housing.[13]
The Tamahere Model Country School is a state primary school for Year 1 to 6 students,[14][15] with a roll of 385.[16] The school opened in 1884.[17]
Hamilton Seventh-day Adventist School is a state-integrated Seventh-day Adventist Year 1-8 primary school,[18][19] with a roll of 116.[20] It opened in 1920, closed in 1932, and reopened a year later.[21]
Waikato Montessori Education Centre is private Montessori Year 1-8 primary school,[22][23] with a roll of 55.[24] It opened in 2012.[25]
All these schools are co-educational. Rolls are as of July 2025.[26]
Tamahere also has three pre-schools.
