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Kensington, Whangārei

Coordinates: 35°42′36″S 174°18′50″E / 35.710°S 174.314°E / -35.710; 174.314
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Kensington
Kensington Park Grandstand
Kensington Park Grandstand
Map
Coordinates: 35°42′36″S 174°18′50″E / 35.710°S 174.314°E / -35.710; 174.314
CountryNew Zealand
CityWhangārei
Local authorityWhangarei District Council
Electoral wardWhangārei Urban Ward
Area
 • Land311 ha (768 acres)
Population
 (June 2024)[2]
 • Total
3,340
Whau Valley Otangarei
Kensington
Mairtown
Woodhill Regent

Kensington (Māori: Tawatawhiti) is a suburb of Whangārei, in Northland Region, New Zealand. It is about 2 kilometres north of the city centre. State Highway 1 runs through Kensington, The Western Hills form a boundary on the west, and Hātea River on the east.[3]

The area includes Whangarei Quarry Gardens,[4] a 24 hectare public garden set around an artificial lake.[5]

History

[edit]

In 2018, Whangarei District Council completed improvements to the Kensington Avenue and Kamo Road intersection, following delays since 2014 in acquiring properties.[6]

In April 2020, Police investigated the death of a five-month-old baby at a home in Kensington.[7]

The following month, Police recovered a stolen vehicle with a baby inside from a property in Kensington.[8] The vehicle had been stolen from a nearby petrol station before being abandoned.[9]

A major storm struck Kensington in July 2018.[10] It caused extensive damage to the Whangarei Quarry Gardens,[4] and at least one home was evacuated.[10]

In August 2020, the first stage of a $15.5 million development opened in Kensington. The complex includes a medical centre, gym, physio, food outlets and an early childhood centre.[11] The property was owned by Northland Regional Council,[12] and was previously the site of a Woolworths and Countdown supermarket,[13] but had been vacant since 2014.[14]

Demographics

[edit]

Kensington covers 3.11 km2 (1.20 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 3,340 as of June 2024,[2] with a population density of 1,074 people per km2.

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
20063,201—    
20133,012−0.87%
20183,240+1.47%
20233,339+0.60%
Source: [15][16]
Lake at Whangarei Quarry Gardens
Scene at Whangarei Quarry Gardens

Kensington had a population of 3,339 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 99 people (3.1%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 327 people (10.9%) since the 2013 census. There were 1,497 males, 1,833 females and 9 people of other genders in 1,422 dwellings.[17] 4.2% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 45.4 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 528 people (15.8%) aged under 15 years, 549 (16.4%) aged 15 to 29, 1,467 (43.9%) aged 30 to 64, and 792 (23.7%) aged 65 or older.[16]

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 72.3% European (Pākehā); 29.9% Māori; 5.5% Pasifika; 11.9% Asian; 0.8% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 1.8% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 96.4%, Māori language by 6.9%, Samoan by 0.2%, and other languages by 12.3%. No language could be spoken by 2.2% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.6%. The percentage of people born overseas was 22.6, compared with 28.8% nationally.

Religious affiliations were 35.6% Christian, 2.0% Hindu, 0.6% Islam, 2.3% Māori religious beliefs, 1.1% Buddhist, 0.4% New Age, and 1.9% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 48.2%, and 7.9% of people did not answer the census question.

Of those at least 15 years old, 444 (15.8%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 1,479 (52.6%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 759 (27.0%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $34,800, compared with $41,500 nationally. 222 people (7.9%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 1,266 (45.0%) people were employed full-time, 357 (12.7%) were part-time, and 93 (3.3%) were unemployed.[16]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  3. ^ Roger Smith, GeographX (2005). The Geographic Atlas of New Zealand. Robbie Burton. map 24. ISBN 1-877333-20-4.
  4. ^ a b Pearse, Adam (22 July 2020). "Northland storm: Whangārei Quarry Gardens facing potential $100,000 bill". New Zealand Media and Entertainment. Northern Advocate.
  5. ^ "Whangarei Quarry Gardens". NZ Gardens Trust. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  6. ^ Lambly, Annette (24 October 2018). "New suburban retail and health centre for Kensington's old supermarket site". stuff.co.nz. Stuff Northland.
  7. ^ Clent, Danielle (28 April 2020). "Death of 5-month-old baby in Northland investigated by police". stuff.co.nz.
  8. ^ Ali, Imran (21 August 2020). "Whangārei carjacking second in just over three months". New Zealand Media and Entertainment. Northern Advocate.
  9. ^ Kronast, Hannah (6 May 2020). "Horrifying ordeal as baby taken in a vehicle stolen from Whangarei petrol station". MediaWorks New Zealand. Newshub.
  10. ^ a b Williams, Caroline (18 July 2020). "'It will be extensive and expensive': Civil Defence surveys Northland's clean-up job after flooding and slips". stuff.co.nz.
  11. ^ "$15.5m redevelopment of former Whangārei supermarket site opens first stage". New Zealand Media and Entertainment. Northern Advocate. 11 August 2020.
  12. ^ "Planned Whangarei medical and retail hub". New Zealand Media and Entertainment. New Zealand Herald. 5 December 2018.
  13. ^ "Former Whangārei supermarket site gets $15.5m upgrade". New Zealand Media and Entertainment. Northern Advocate. 28 August 2019.
  14. ^ Laird, Lindy (29 September 2018). "Development of high profile Kensington site planned". New Zealand Media and Entertainment. Northern Advocate.
  15. ^ "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Kensington (Whangarei District) (106600). 2018 Census place summary: Kensington (Whangarei District)
  16. ^ a b c "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Kensington (Whangarei District) (106600). Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  17. ^ "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.