Waverley, Taranaki

Waverley is a town located in the South Taranaki District in New Zealand. It is 44 km northwest of Whanganui. Patea is 17 km to the west, and Waitōtara is 10 km to the southeast. State Highway 3 and the Marton - New Plymouth Line railway run through the town.

History and culture
Waverley was an important colonial stronghold during the New Zealand Wars of the 1860s, during which time the town was called Wairoa. The town is well known for its farming and thoroughbred stables. The race horse Kiwi was trained in the paddocks of a Waverley sheep farm by owner Snow Lupton and went on to go from last on the final bend to win the 1983 Melbourne Cup.

Marae
The local Te Wairoa-iti Marae and Maruata meeting house are a meeting place for Ngāti Tai, a hapū of Ngā Rauru Kītahi.

Ironsand mining and renewable energy
The Waipipi onshore ironsand mine operated near Waverley from 1971 to 1987, producing a total of 15.7 million tonnes of concentrate for export. The Waipipi site is now being developed for the Waipipi Wind Farm, with 31 turbines generating up to 133 MW.

Demographics
Waverley is defined by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement. It covers 2.28 km2 and had an estimated population of as of  with a population density of  people per km2. It is part of the wider Manutahi-Waitotora statistical area.

Waverley had a population of 822 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 21 people (2.6%) since the 2013 census, and a decrease of 42 people (−4.9%) since the 2006 census. There were 366 households, comprising 411 males and 414 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.99 males per female, with 135 people (16.4%) aged under 15 years, 129 (15.7%) aged 15 to 29, 354 (43.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 201 (24.5%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 77.0% European/Pākehā, 31.0% Māori, 2.9% Pacific peoples, 1.8% Asian, and 1.8% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 49.3% had no religion, 34.3% were Christian, 1.5% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.7% were Hindu, 0.4% were Buddhist and 2.2% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 51 (7.4%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 249 (36.2%) people had no formal qualifications. 36 people (5.2%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 255 (37.1%) people were employed full-time, 87 (12.7%) were part-time, and 42 (6.1%) were unemployed.

Manutahi-Waitotora statistical area
Manutahi-Waitotora statistical area, which also includes Manutahi, Waitōtara and Waiinu Beach, covers 293.06 km2 and had an estimated population of as of  with a population density of  people per km2.

Manutahi-Waitotora had a population of 1,980 at the 2018 New Zealand census, a decrease of 12 people (−0.6%) since the 2013 census, and a decrease of 102 people (−4.9%) since the 2006 census. There were 834 households, comprising 1,032 males and 948 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.09 males per female. The median age was 42.4 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 393 people (19.8%) aged under 15 years, 327 (16.5%) aged 15 to 29, 891 (45.0%) aged 30 to 64, and 366 (18.5%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 81.1% European/Pākehā, 27.6% Māori, 2.9% Pacific peoples, 2.7% Asian, and 1.2% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 7.6, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 50.2% had no religion, 38.2% were Christian, 1.2% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.3% were Hindu, 0.2% were Muslim and 1.4% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 141 (8.9%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 495 (31.2%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $26,700, compared with $31,800 nationally. 165 people (10.4%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 756 (47.6%) people were employed full-time, 228 (14.4%) were part-time, and 63 (4.0%) were unemployed.

Features
Waverley had a large sawmill which employed 65 staff. The mill was the only major sawmill as far as New Plymouth in the north and Levin in the south.The mill closed in 2019. There is a large hydroponic Lettuce farm operating in Waverley now.

Waverley has a black sand beach, the colour is due to iron sand deposits. The campground at the beach is well used in the summer months, as the beach provides safe surfing. Waverley has a number of cafes and coffee shops and is a popular place for tourists to stop for a break before entering the Taranaki region.

Waverley and surrounding community has a South Taranaki District Council LibraryPlus, which provides a full library service and Council related services. These services include being able to register your dog, pay your rates or inquire about obtaining a building permit. Other services include a Tot Time for the under 5s and bookclub catering to intermediate and high school age children. The LibraryPlus also has three APN computers, offering free internet and Skype to the public.

Waverley has a small skatepark as well as a playground in the town park that can be seen off the main road that runs through Waverley. Also there are well kept tennis courts and on Brassey St there is a small dirt jump track for push bikes. The locals call it the BMX track. The cave at Waverley's cave beach has collapsed due to erosion. There is a Craft and Farmers Market every 3rd Sunday at the Community hall in Chester St from 9am to 1pm

Education
Waverley Primary School is a co-educational contributing primary (years 1–8) school with a roll of students as of  Public education started in the area in 1873. Waverley High School closed on 20 April 2007, after its NCEA assessments were found to be unreliable.