Piha

[edit] Piha is described by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement, and covers 5.24 km2 (2.02 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 1,030 as of June 2025, with a population density of 197 people per km2. Historical populationYearPop.±% p.a.2006822—    2013858+0.61%2018984+2.78%20231,044+1.19%Source: Piha had a population of 1,044 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 60 people (6.1%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 186 people (21.7%) since the 2013 census. There were 519 males, 519 females and 3 people of other genders in 411 dwellings. 4.0% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 46.2 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 162 people (15.5%) aged under 15 years, 162 (15.5%) aged 15 to 29, 531 (50.9%) aged 30 to 64, and 192 (18.4%) aged 65 or older. People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 92.8% European (Pākehā); 17.8% Māori; 2.9% Pasifika; 3.2% Asian; 1.1% 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 98.6%, Māori language by 3.7%, Samoan by 0.3%, and other languages by 10.1%. No language could be spoken by 1.4% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.6%. The percentage of people born overseas was 19.5, compared with 28.8% nationally. Religious affiliations were 16.4% Christian, 0.3% Islam, 0.3% Māori religious beliefs, 1.1% Buddhist, 1.1% New Age, 0.3% Jewish, and 2.3% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 71.3%, and 7.5% of people did not answer the census question. Of those at least 15 years old, 324 (36.7%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 450 (51.0%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 111 (12.6%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $45,700, compared with $41,500 nationally. 168 people (19.0%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 402 (45.6%) people were employed full-time, 153 (17.3%) were part-time, and 33 (3.7%) were unemployed.

[edit] Looking north over South Piha beach to Lion Rock. North Piha beach is visible beyond. As well as two surf beaches there are also a sheltered lagoon and several streams in the area. The coastline and forested Waitākere Ranges offer a number of walks, or tramps, ranging from easy to very difficult. Due to the spread of the incurable kauri dieback disease large parts of the Waitākere Ranges were closed from 2018 until further notice. Piha is a well known black sand beach, due to the high iron content, which originated from Mount Taranaki and earlier volcanoes in the area. Lion Rock is a natural formation dividing North and South Piha beaches. It is an eroded 16-million-year-old volcanic neck, named for its similarity to a lying male lion when viewed from the rear (shore side), Lion Rock is immediately visible to visitors as they descend along the only access road. Lion Rock has become iconic not only of Piha, but of Auckland's West Coast in general. Lion Rock was featured on stamps as well as an Auckland phone book, and in December 1919 a memorial to local sawmillers who served in World War One was unveiled on Lion Rock. Kitekite Falls About 2 km inland, on the Glen Esk stream, are the Kitekite Falls which while not very large are picturesque. Swimming is possible all seasons (though only for the cold hardened outside of summer) in a pool just above the falls. At the bottom of the falls is a sheltered picnic area popular with families in the summer time. There is another pool between the top falls and the bottom falls, but is closed due to Kauri dieback. About 2 km inland, on the Piha Stream, is a small canyon. About 1 km south of the South Beach is 'The Gap', which at low tide provides another lagoon and a blowhole.

[edit] See also: Surfing in New Zealand A surfer leaving the water Piha was the birthplace of New Zealand board riding in 1958, and has been the scene of both New Zealand national and international surfing championship competitions.

[edit] Two surf lifesaving clubs provide surf patrols in summer. Piha Surf Life Saving Club, the home of the TV series Piha Rescue, patrols the section of the beach to the south of Lion Rock. United North Piha Lifeguard Service is responsible for the section of the beach north of Lion Rock. Both clubs provide patrolled areas designated by red and yellow flags as is the custom with Surf Lifesaving in New Zealand and many other countries.

[edit] The rip currents along this section of coast are very unpredictable and can shift with little warning. They claim many lives despite the efforts of surf life-savers. Most of these drownings, however, occur after lifeguards are off duty or after rock fisherman wearing heavy clothing are washed off rocks, out of sight of the lifeguards. Lifeguards advise swimming between the red and yellow flags, during patrol hours. After the death of two men at Piha in February 2013, lifeguards say the water fools swimmers by appearing deceptively calm, obscuring strong rips, and people should stay out of the water if they are not confident swimmers.

[edit] Piha Beach was the setting for a popular New Zealand reality television show. Aptly named Piha Rescue, it ran for 12 series over 14 years on TV1 and it featured the lives of the surf life savers at Piha Beach and educated the public on the beach safety, rip currents and swimming between the flags.

[edit] The view from Lion Rock. North to Lion rock and Te Waha Point Toetoe plumes and Lion Rock Aerial view of Piha Beach and Lion Rock A view over Piha beach A view of Lion Rock from the beach