Kensington, Whangārei

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.[1]

Kensington
Suburb of Whangarei District Council
CountryNew Zealand
CityWhangarei District Council
Population
 (2018)
 • Total3,240
Whau Valley Otangarei
Kensington
 Mairtown
Woodhill Regent

The area includes Whangarei Quarry Gardens,[2] a 24 hectare public garden set around an artificial lake.[3]

History

In 2018, Whangarei District Council completed improvements to the Kensington Avenue and Kamo Road intersection, following delays since 2014 in acquiring properties.[4]

In April 2020, Police investigated the death of a five-month-old baby at a home in Kensington.[5]

The following month, Police recovered a stolen vehicle with a baby inside from a property in Kensington.[6] The vehicle had been stolen from a nearby petrol station before being abandoned.[7]

A major storm struck Kensington in July 2018.[8] It caused extensive damage to the Whangarei Quarry Gardens,[2] and at least one home was evacuated.[8]

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.[9] The property was owned by Northland Regional Council,[10] and was previously the site of a Woolworths and Countdown supermarket,[11] but had been vacant since 2014.[12]

Demographics
Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
20063,201—    
20133,012−0.87%
20183,240+1.47%
Source: [13]
Lake at Whangarei Quarry Gardens
Scene at Whangarei Quarry Gardens

Kensington (Whangarei District) had a population of 3,240 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 228 people (7.6%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 39 people (1.2%) since the 2006 census. There were 1,389 households. There were 1,527 males and 1,713 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.89 males per female. Of the total population, 480 people (14.8%) were aged up to 15 years, 570 (17.6%) were 15 to 29, 1,443 (44.5%) were 30 to 64, and 747 (23.1%) were 65 or older. Figures may not add up to the total due to rounding.

Ethnicities were 75.3% European/Pākehā, 27.4% Māori, 4.3% Pacific peoples, 8.2% Asian, and 1.5% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 19.7, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people objected to giving their religion, 45.1% had no religion, 41.0% were Christian, and 7.2% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 486 (17.6%) people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 588 (21.3%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $25,600. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 1,200 (43.5%) people were employed full-time, 378 (13.7%) were part-time, and 123 (4.5%) were unemployed.[13]

References
  1. Roger Smith, GeographX (2005). The Geographic Atlas of New Zealand. Robbie Burton. map 24. ISBN 1-877333-20-4.
  2. Pearse, Adam (22 July 2020). "Northland storm: Whangārei Quarry Gardens facing potential $100,000 bill". New Zealand Media and Entertainment. Northern Advocate.
  3. "Whangarei Quarry Gardens". NZ Gardens Trust. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  4. Lambly, Annette (24 October 2018). "New suburban retail and health centre for Kensington's old supermarket site". stuff.co.nz. Stuff Northland.
  5. Clent, Danielle (28 April 2020). "Death of 5-month-old baby in Northland investigated by police". stuff.co.nz.
  6. Ali, Imran (21 August 2020). "Whangārei carjacking second in just over three months". New Zealand Media and Entertainment. Northern Advocate.
  7. Kronast, Hannah (6 May 2020). "Horrifying ordeal as baby taken in a vehicle stolen from Whangarei petrol station". MediaWorks New Zealand. Newshub.
  8. 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.
  9. "$15.5m redevelopment of former Whangārei supermarket site opens first stage". New Zealand Media and Entertainment. Northern Advocate. 11 August 2020.
  10. "Planned Whangarei medical and retail hub". New Zealand Media and Entertainment. New Zealand Herald. 5 December 2018.
  11. "Former Whangārei supermarket site gets $15.5m upgrade". New Zealand Media and Entertainment. Northern Advocate. 28 August 2019.
  12. Laird, Lindy (29 September 2018). "Development of high profile Kensington site planned". New Zealand Media and Entertainment. Northern Advocate.
  13. "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Kensington (Whangarei District) (106600). 2018 Census place summary: Kensington (Whangarei District)

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