Waerenga

Waerenga is a Māori word meaning 'clearing in the bush'. ==History==

Europeans settled the area in the late 1860s and established farms in the area, some of these settlers were from the Third Waikato Regiment. Some of the early settlers created a bridle track to Rangiriri and a track to Lake Waikare. The introduction of the railway line in the late 1870s saw an influx of settlers but the area was still farmland in 1880. By 1902 Waerenga had a creamery. == Demographics ==

Waerenga locality covers . It is part of the larger Waerenga statistical area. Waerenga had a population of 156 in the 2023 New Zealand census, unchanged since the 2018 census, and a decrease of 6 people (−3.7%) since the 2013 census. There were 75 males and 81 females in 66 dwellings. 1.9% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 47.7 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 18 people (11.5%) aged under 15 years, 36 (23.1%) aged 15 to 29, 69 (44.2%) aged 30 to 64, and 30 (19.2%) aged 65 or older. Waerenga statistical area The Waerenga statistical area covers and had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km2. Waerenga statistical area had a population of 921 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 6 people (0.7%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 66 people (7.7%) since the 2013 census. There were 465 males, 447 females and 6 people of other genders in 339 dwellings. 2.6% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 45.6 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 150 people (16.3%) aged under 15 years, 147 (16.0%) aged 15 to 29, 480 (52.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 141 (15.3%) aged 65 or older. == Marae ==

Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Naho and Ngāti Pou are associated with marae in the area. There are two marae in the area, affiliated with the Waikato Tainui hapū of Ngāti Tai, Ngāti Kuiaarangi, Ngāti Mahuta and Ngāti Whāwhākia: the Ōkarea Marae and Pokaiwhenua meeting house, and the Taniwha Marae and Me Whakatupu ki te Hua o te Rengarenga meeting house. In October 2020, the Government committed $2,584,751 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade Taniwha Marae and 7 other Waikato Tainui marae, creating 40 jobs. ==Education==

Waerenga School was established at a private home in 1881 and in 1882 a school house was constructed. The school was relocated in 1928. The original school house has served as a library since 1980. Waerenga School is a co-educational state primary school which is transitioning in 2025–2026 from a school for Year 1 to 6 students to one also including Years 7 and 8. It had a roll of as of . == References ==