Karaka Bays | |
|---|---|
 Scorching Bay, part of Karaka Bays | |
 | |
| Coordinates:41°18′12″S174°49′52″E / 41.30333°S 174.83111°E /-41.30333; 174.83111 | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| City | Wellington City |
| Local authority | Wellington City Council |
| Electoral ward |
|
| Area | |
| • Land | 67 ha (166 acres) |
| Population (June 2024)[2] | |
• Total | 1,580 |
| Maupuia | ||
| Maupuia |   Karaka Bays  | |
| Miramar | Worser Bay |
Karaka Bays is a suburb ofWellington,New Zealand. It lies on the northeast coast of theMiramar Peninsula, 6 km east-south-east of the city centre, and has an expansive view ofWellington Harbour. It takes its name from a New Zealand native tree, thekaraka (or the New Zealand laurel).[3]
The suburb consists of residential properties close to the shores of two bays, Scorching Bay in the north and Karaka Bay in the south. Nearby suburbs areMiramar andMaupuia. Prominent features of Karaka Bays include the Scorching Bay Domain and a recreational park at the northern end of the suburb. TheCook Strait ferry passes the coast of Karaka Bay on its way betweenPicton andWellington.
The area was historically connected withwhaling - Coombe Rocks, a series of rocky islets off the coast, were used as a watching-place forcetaceans.[4] In recent years marine mammals have returned to the area, withseals commonly sighted along the coast andorca occasionally visible offshore.
Karaka Bay-Worser Bay statistical area, which includesWorser Bay, covers 0.67 km2 (0.26 sq mi).[1] It had an estimated population of 1,580 as of June 2024,[2] with a population density of 2,358 people per km2.
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 1,419 | — |
| 2013 | 1,443 | +0.24% |
| 2018 | 1,503 | +0.82% |
| 2023 | 1,560 | +0.75% |
| Source:[5] | ||
Karaka Bay-Worser Bay had a population of 1,503 at the2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 60 people (4.2%) since the2013 census, and an increase of 84 people (5.9%) since the2006 census. There were 594 households, comprising 747 males and 756 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.99 males per female. The median age was 44.8 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 273 people (18.2%) aged under 15 years, 207 (13.8%) aged 15 to 29, 777 (51.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 243 (16.2%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 91.0% European/Pākehā, 6.0%Māori, 2.0%Pasifika, 7.2%Asian, and 2.6% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 31.3, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 59.7% had no religion, 30.3% wereChristian, 1.2% wereHindu, 0.2% wereMuslim, 1.2% wereBuddhist and 2.0% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 645 (52.4%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 78 (6.3%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $60,300, compared with $31,800 nationally. 537 people (43.7%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 669 (54.4%) people were employed full-time, 183 (14.9%) were part-time, and 45 (3.7%) were unemployed.[5]