Medlands Beach is in Oruawharo Bay on the east coast of Great Barrier Island in the Auckland Region of New Zealand.[3] Auckland Council describes it as the most accessible beach on the island.[3] It is one of the island's main tourist areas but is little developed.[4] The small settlement of Medlands consists of permanent houses and holiday baches, some behind the dunes, sheltered from winds from the sea, and others elevated for a view.[3]

Medlands Beach
Medlands Beach, seen from the Sugar Loaf hill
Coordinates: 36.2658°S 175.4937°E / -36.2658; 175.4937
Country	New Zealand
Region	Auckland Region
Ward	Waitematā and Gulf ward
Local board	Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board
Government
• Territorial Authority	Auckland Council
Area [1]
• Total	6.04 km2 (2.33 sq mi)
Population  (2018 census)[2]
• Total	75
• Density	12/km2 (32/sq mi)

Medlands Beach is directly south of Kaitoke Beach, with the Sugar Loaf hill and Pitokuku Island in-between. Sugar Loaf hill offers great views of the beach but is a privately owned farm with cattle and bulls and cannot be climbed without permission from the landowners - the Blackwells. Alternatively good views of the beach is offered from the road connecting Medlands to Claris. The beach is a "sweep of white sand"[4] 2.1 kilometers long that can be walked both ways in 90 minutes. Halfway along the beach is Memory Rock, also called Medlands Rock, with a short informal walking track to the summit, where there are views across the bay.[3]

At the northern end of the beach is an exposed beach surf break[5] that offers reliable surfing conditions during most of the year.[4] At the south-eastern end of the beach is Shark Alley, a sheltered spot for swimming and launching boats. It has a small stream with several pāteke (brown teal ducks)[3] and a Department of Conservation campsite which can host up to 120 people from Christmas until mid-February.[6]

The settlement has Great Barrier Island's only traditional church building, St John's Community Church, which is used ecumenically.[7] Medlands has a number of accommodation providers, but no grocery stores or food retailers. It is a 4-kilometre drive from Great Barrier Aerodrome and Claris, which has a general store, a New Zealand Post shop, a petrol station and other facilities.[4]

Demographics

Statistics New Zealand describes Medlands Beach as a rural settlement, which covers 6.04 km² (2.33 sq mi).[1] Medlands Beach is part of the larger Barrier Islands statistical area.[8]

Medlands Beach had a population of 75 at the 2018 New Zealand census, a decrease of 12 people (−13.8%) since the 2013 census, and a decrease of 21 people (−21.9%) since the 2006 census. There were 48 households, comprising 48 males and 27 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.78 males per female. The median age was 53.8 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 9 people (12.0%) aged under 15 years, 9 (12.0%) aged 15 to 29, 45 (60.0%) aged 30 to 64, and 15 (20.0%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 92.0% European/Pākehā, 4.0% Māori, and 4.0% other ethnicities. Percentages may add up to more than 100% as people may identify with multiple ethnicities.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 56.0% had no religion and 24.0% were Christian.

Of those at least 15 years old, 12 (18.2%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 15 (22.7%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $19,700, compared with $31,800 nationally. 3 people (4.5%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 21 (31.8%) people were employed full-time, 9 (13.6%) were part-time, and 6 (9.1%) were unemployed.[2]

Education

Kaitoke School is a coeducational full primary (years 1-8) school[9] with a roll of 45 students as of July 2022.[10] The school was established in 1988, replacing an earlier Kaitoke School.[11]

References