Piha

The area is traditionally a part of rohe of the Tāmaki Māori tribe Te Kawerau ā Maki.{{Cite web| date=22 February 2014 | title = Te Kawerau ā Maki Deed of Settlement Schedule |url=https://www.govt.nz/assets/Documents/OTS/Te-Kawerau-a-Maki/Te-Kawerau-a-Maki-Deed-of-Settlement-Documents-22-Feb-2014.pdf | author1 = Te Kawerau ā Maki | author2 = The Trustees of Te Kawerau Iwi Settlement Trust | author3 = The Crown | access-date = 10 May 2022}} The area is named for Te Piha, the traditional name of Lion Rock which was later applied to the wider area, and refers to the pattern made when waves hit against the rock.{{cite book |last1=Cameron |first1=Ewen |last2=Hayward |first2= Bruce |author-link2=Bruce Hayward |last3=Murdoch |first3= Graeme |title=A Field Guide to Auckland: Exploring the Region's Natural and Historical Heritage |isbn=978-1-86962-1513 |publisher=Random House New Zealand |year=2008 |page=174 |edition=Revised}} The area was the location of many pā and villages, including a headland at Te Waha Point north of the beach, where many karaka trees associated with the former pā grow,{{Cite book| editor-first=James| editor-last=Northcote-Bade |title=West Auckland Remembers, Volume 1 |year=1990 |publisher=West Auckland Historical Society |isbn=0-473-00983-8 |chapter=Prehistoric Sites in West Auckland |first1=John T. |last1=Diamond |author-link1=J. T. Diamond |first2=Bruce W. |last2=Hayward |author-link2=Bruce Hayward |pages=33–34, 36}} and Lion Rock, which was the location of Whakaari pā. Archaeological surveys have shown the remains of platforms, midden and terraces on Lion Rock, as well as fragments of traditional textiles, dating back to a time before European contact.{{cite Q|Q104815051}} The earthworks of Whakaari pā are not well preserved due to erosion.

Te Unuhanga-a-Rangitoto / Mercer Bay to the south was traditionally known by the name Te Unuhanga o Rangitoto, referencing the traditional story of Te Kawerau ā Maki of early ancestor Tiriwa, who formed the bay by moving Rangitoto Island from the West coast to the Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana. The English language name references Andrew Mercer, an Auckland settler who received Crown grant in June 1866.{{Cite book| editor-first=James| editor-last=Northcote-Bade |title=West Auckland Remembers, Volume 2 |year=1992 |publisher=West Auckland Historical Society |isbn=0-473-01587-0 |chapter=Wai Karekare - 'The Bay of the Boisterous Seas' |first1=Graeme |last1=Murdoch |pages=13}}

At the turn of the 20th century, holidaymakers would travel by coach from Glen Eden to stay at guest houses in Piha.{{Cite book| editor-first=Pauline| editor-last=Vela |title=In Those Days: An Oral History of Glen Eden |year=1989 |publisher=Glen Eden Borough Council |isbn=0-473-00862-9 |chapter=From Four Horses to Four Wheels |pages=80–81}} In February 1939, two Australian visitors to Auckland, G R Mackey and J A Talbot, committed arson at a Piha bach. The fire was lit as a part of an insurance scam, and a body of a recently buried soldier was taken from Waikumete Cemetery and placed inside the bach.{{Cite book| editor-first=Pauline| editor-last=Vela |title=In Those Days: An Oral History of Glen Eden |year=1989 |publisher=Glen Eden Borough Council |isbn=0-473-00862-9 |chapter=Piha Fire Case and the Body Taken from Waikumete Cemetery |pages=93}}

Albert Percy Godber took photographs in the area in the 1910s.https://natlib.govt.nz/records/22438930

Since 1992, six people have disappeared from or in the area of Piha with no trace, with one of the more publicised cases being Iraena Asher and the most recent being French teenager Eloi Rolland in 2020. No trace has been left by any of these people, and none of them have been found.{{cite news|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/300189370/the-missing-people-of-piha-25-years-six-cases-no-answers|title=The missing people of Piha: 25 years, six cases, no answers|publisher=Stuff|first1=Jackson|last1=Thomas|first2=Ryan|last2=Anderson|date=3 January 2021}}

Piha suffered floods and slips from Cyclone Gabrielle in early 2023,{{cite news|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300807518/watch-devastation-to-aucklands-west-coast-off-the-charts-suburbs-still-cutoff|title=Watch: Devastation to Auckland's west coast 'off the charts', suburbs still cut-off|publisher=Stuff|date=15 February 2023}} and the main road out was closed to non-residents until May 2023.{{cite web|url=https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/recovery-extreme-weather-disasters/recover-disaster/community-recovery-updates/pihanewslettersmay2023/3-may-piha-community-update.pdf|title=Community update Piha cordon to be lifted at midday on Friday|publisher=Auckland Council|date=3 May 2023}}

Piha is described by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement, and covers {{Convert|5.24|km2||abbr=on}}{{Cite web|title=Stats NZ Geographic Data Service|url=https://datafinder.stats.govt.nz/data/|at=Urban Rural 2023 (generalised)|access-date=2 January 2025}} and had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2018|Piha|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2018|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Piha|y}}|R}}/5.24|0}} people per km².

{{Historical populations|2006|822|2013|858|2018|984|2023|1,044|percentages=pagr|align=left|source={{NZ census 2018|Piha (124100)|piha|Piha}}}}

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.{{cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_005&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=doTotal%2Bdo1.1102.2023&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_DWD_003|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_008&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=hq011%2Bhq010%2Bhq009%2Bhq008%2Bhq007%2Bhq006%2Bhq005%2Bhq004%2Bhq003%2Bhq002%2Bhq001%2Bhq000%2Bws1%2Bsp99%2Bra80%2Bra08%2Bra07%2Bra06%2Bra05%2Bra01%2Bra04%2Bra03%2Bra02%2Bra00%2Brb1%2Bls66%2Bls03%2Bls02%2Bls05%2Bls04%2Bls01%2Beg6%2Beg5%2Beg4%2Beg3%2Beg2%2Beg1%2BbiTotal%2Bbi0%2Bbi1%2BasTotalLG%2Bas4%2Bas3%2Bas2%2Bas1%2Bws4%2Bws3%2Bws2%2Bge3%2Bge2%2Bge1%2Brc%2BasMed%2BegTotal%2BlsTotal%2BgeTotal%2BrbTotal%2BraTotal%2BhqTotal%2BibTotal%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.1102.2013%2B2018%2B2023&to[TIME]=false&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_IND_003&ly[cl]=CEN23_YEAR_001|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses|at=Piha (1102)}}

Image:Lion Rock, Piha.jpg. 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/environment/plants-animals/pests-weeds/Pages/protect-our-kauri-trees.aspx|title=Protect our kauri trees|last=Council|first=Auckland|website=Auckland Council|language=en|access-date=2018-09-04}}

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.{{Cite book| editor-first=John| editor-last=La Roche |editor-link=John La Roche |title=Evolving Auckland: The City's Engineering Heritage |year=2011 |publisher=Wily Publications |chapter=Steel from Ironsand |first1=John |last1=Ingram |author-link1=John Ingram (engineer) |pages=245–261 |isbn=9781927167038}}

Lion Rock is a natural formation dividing North and South Piha beaches. It is an eroded 16-million-year-old {{cite web| url=http://www.waitakereranges.org.nz/geology.html| title= Geology of Waitākere Ranges}} volcanic neck,Ewen Cameron; Bruce Hayward; and Graeme Murdoch (1997). A Field Guide to Auckland: Exploring the Region's Natural and Historic Heritage, p. 168. Godwit Publishing Ltd, Auckland. {{ISBN|1-86962-014-3}}. 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.'[http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=NZH19191208.2.119 Roll of Honour Unveiled]', New Zealand Herald, 8 December 1919, Page 10.

File:Kitekite from track.jpg]]

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.{{Cite web |url=http://www.newzealand.com/travel/destinations/regions/auckland/towns.cfm/nodeid/483.html |title=www.newzealand.com |access-date=2011-05-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100522165124/http://www.newzealand.com/travel/destinations/regions/auckland/towns.cfm/nodeid/483.html |archive-date=2010-05-22 |url-status=dead }}

About 1 km south of the South Beach is 'The Gap', which at low tide provides another lagoon and a blowhole.

{{see also|Surfing in New Zealand}}

Image:Piha4.jpg

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.

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.

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.{{cite news| url= http://www.3news.co.nz/Cant-swim-Stay-on-the-beach-urges-Piha-lifeguard/tabid/423/articleID/288012/Default.aspx|work=3 News NZ |title=Be careful in the water, urges lifeguard

| date=February 25, 2013}}

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.{{cite web |last1=Rescue |first1=Piha |title=Piha Rescue Cancelled |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/95339785/piha-rescue-is-over-after-14-years}}

Image:ViewFromLionRock.jpg

File:Piha3.jpg|North to Lion rock and Te Waha Point

File:Toetoe plumes and Lion Rock.JPG|Toetoe plumes and Lion Rock

File:Piha 17-09-2015 13-47-55.jpg|Aerial view of Piha Beach and Lion Rock

File:Piha beach 2018.jpg|A view over Piha beach

File:Lions Rock 2018.jpg|A view of Lion Rock from the beach

{{reflist}}

{{Wikivoyage}}

{{commons category|Piha}}

• [http://www.piha.co.nz/ Piha.co.nz – News, History, Environment and Information]
• [http://www.pihasurfschool.com/about-piha.html About Piha. A History of Surfing in Piha.]
• [https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/photos/search/searchterm/Piha/field/title/ Photographs of Piha] held in Auckland Libraries' heritage collections.
• Photographs of buses to Piha – [https://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/object/355230 1940s] [https://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/object/355321], [https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/photos/id/44759/rec/1].

{{Waitākere Ranges Local Board Area}}

Category:Beaches of the Auckland Region

Category:Surfing locations in New Zealand

Category:Tourist attractions in the Auckland Region

Category:Waitākere Ranges

Category:Waitākere Ranges Local Board Area

Category:Populated places in the Auckland Region

Category:Black sand beaches

Category:West Auckland, New Zealand