Surfdale
Surfdale | |
|---|---|
 Surfdale from Kennedy Point | |
 Interactive map of Surfdale | |
| Coordinates: 36°47′46″S 175°01′55″E / 36.796°S 175.032°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| City | Auckland |
| Local authority | Auckland Council |
| Electoral ward | Waitematā and Gulf ward |
| Local board | Waiheke Local Board |
| Area | |
| • Land | 261 ha (640 acres) |
| Population (June 2025)[2] | |
• Total | 2,120 |
| • Density | 812/km2 (2,100/sq mi) |
| Ferry terminals | Kennedy Point |
| Oneroa | Palm Beach | |
| (Huruhi Bay) |
  Surfdale  |
Ostend |
| (Waitematā Harbour) | (Pukiki Bay) |
Surfdale is a settlement on Waiheke Island in northern New Zealand. The original name being Okahu, Surfdale beach on Huruhi Bay has tidal mudflats, and is often used for windsurfing or kitesurfing.[3] Shelly beach on Pukiki Bay is sandy and shelly.[4] The area was developed in the mid–1920s.[5]
History
Until it was subdivided in 1921, the area had been known locally as Browns Bay, after its original European inhabitants. It was renamed as a result of a competition held by the land's subdividers. Apart from the privilege of naming the new suburb, the winner of the competition also received a free section. In 1922 a wharf was built, giving residents access to a regular ferry service to Auckland.[6]
Demographics
Surfdale covers 2.61 km2 (1.01 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 2,120 as of June 2025,[2] with a population density of 812 people per km2.
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 1,698 | — |
| 2013 | 1,881 | +1.47% |
| 2018 | 2,067 | +1.90% |
| 2023 | 2,058 | −0.09% |
| Source: [7][8] | ||
Surfdale had a population of 2,058 in the 2023 New Zealand census, a decrease of 9 people (−0.4%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 177 people (9.4%) since the 2013 census. There were 999 males, 1,053 females and 9 people of other genders in 795 dwellings.[9] 5.7% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 44.7 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 297 people (14.4%) aged under 15 years, 291 (14.1%) aged 15 to 29, 1,065 (51.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 405 (19.7%) aged 65 or older.[8]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 85.3% European (Pākehā); 13.8% Māori; 3.9% Pasifika; 7.0% Asian; 6.6% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.3% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 97.1%, Māori language by 3.6%, Samoan by 0.6%, and other languages by 18.5%. No language could be spoken by 1.6% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.4%. The percentage of people born overseas was 34.4, compared with 28.8% nationally.[8]
Religious affiliations were 19.1% Christian, 1.2% Hindu, 0.9% Māori religious beliefs, 1.6% Buddhist, 0.7% New Age, 0.1% Jewish, and 2.3% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 66.5%, and 7.4% of people did not answer the census question.[8]
Of those at least 15 years old, 531 (30.2%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 819 (46.5%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 405 (23.0%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $41,100, compared with $41,500 nationally. 243 people (13.8%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 882 (50.1%) people were employed full-time, 300 (17.0%) were part-time, and 42 (2.4%) were unemployed.[8]
Education
Two of the three schools on Waiheke Island are on Donald Bruce Road in the Surfdale area.
Waiheke High School is a secondary school (Year 7–13) with a roll of 372 students.[10] Te Huruhi Primary School is a contributing primary school (Year 1–6) with a roll of 259 students.[11] Both schools are coeducational. Rolls are as of October 2025.[12]
References
- ^ a b "Stats NZ Geographic Data Service". Statistical Area 2 2023 (generalised). Retrieved 21 January 2025.
- ^ a b "Subnational population estimates - Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
- ^ "Discover - Surfdale Beach". Waiheke Local. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
- ^ "Discover - Shelly Beach". Waiheke Local. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
- ^ "Surfdale - Auckland's Unique, Biggest, and Most Popular Seaside Resort (advertisement)". New Zealand Tablet. 3 January 1924. p. 36.
- ^ Day, Dixie (2022). Waiheke Pioneers (2nd ed.). Waiheke Island, Auckland, New Zealand: Waiheke Historical Society Inc., in association with Lasavia Publishing Ltd. pp. 109–119. ISBN 978-1-99-115199-5.
- ^ "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Surfdale (147600). 2018 Census place summary: Surfdale
- ^ a b c d e "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Surfdale (147600). Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ^ "Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ^ "Waiheke High School - Education Counts". www.educationcounts.govt.nz.
- ^ "Te Huruhi Primary School - Education Counts". www.educationcounts.govt.nz.
- ^ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 1 October 2025.