The central area of Oratia, which is residential and corresponds to the statistical area of Glen Eden West, had a population of 3,801 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 228 people since the 2013 census, and an increase of 354 people since the 2006 census. There were 1,137 households. There were 1,851 males and 1,950 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.95 males per female. The median age was 31.6 years, with 915 people aged under 15 years, 879 aged 15 to 29, 1,593 aged 30 to 64, and 414 aged 65 or older. Ethnicities were 56.6% European/Pākehā, 16.0% Māori, 26.7% Pacific peoples, 18.2% Asian, and 2.0% other ethnicities. The proportion of people born overseas was 32.4%, compared with 27.1% nationally. Although some people objected to giving their religion, 41.7% had no religion, 40.3% were Christian, and 11.4% had other religions. Of those at least 15 years old, 576 people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 534 people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $29,300. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 1,473 people were employed full-time, 354 were part-time, and 180 were unemployed.
Rural Oratia
The larger rural area to the south of Oratia, extending to the Manukau Harbour at Parau, corresponds to the statistical area of Oratia. It had a population of 2,151 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 114 people since the 2013 census, and an increase of 312 people since the 2006 census. There were 717 households. There were 1,107 males and 1,041 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.06 males per female. The median age was 42.7 years, with 441 people aged under 15 years, 354 aged 15 to 29, 1,119 aged 30 to 64, and 240 aged 65 or older. Ethnicities were 92.5% European/Pākehā, 7.7% Māori, 3.2% Pacific peoples, 5.0% Asian, and 3.1% other ethnicities. The proportion of people born overseas was 25.4%, compared with 27.1% nationally. Although some people objected to giving their religion, 64.3% had no religion, 25.7% were Christian, and 4.0% had other religions. Of those at least 15 years old, 522 people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 168 people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $41,600. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 939 people were employed full-time, 309 were part-time, and 42 were unemployed.
History
Oratia was first settled in the 1860s, with land parcels granted to new immigrants. Cochrane's orchard was possibly the earliest orchard in the area dating back to this time, although it no longer exists. Sunnydale in Parker Road is the oldest surviving residence in West Auckland built around 1860 from Kauri timber milled on the site. Oratia Cemetery has burial sites dating from 1867 onwards. The gateway entrance was built in 1935. Its Category II listing is attributed to historical and visual significance. Thomas Parr, was a pioneer orchardist and nurseryman, established a plant nursery called Albion Vale on West Coast Road in 1879. Now a Category I Listed Building, the house has been restored to its original design after being used for many years as "The Town and Country Roadhouse", which was considered to be one of the finest restaurants in Auckland in the 1940s. The small Oratia Folk Museum is adjacent to Albion Vale. It was originally a small settler cottage built around 1870. The Oratia Valley was settled by Dalmatian migrants in the late 1890s and early 1900s. They planted orchards and vineyards, leading to Oratia becoming known as the fruit bowl of Auckland. A strong sense of community developed which continues today, although some of the old families have moved out of the area. Many of Oratia's roads are named after the families who lived in Oratia in the 1800s, e.g. Parker, Carter, Shaw, Parr. Many of the original orchards have now disappeared. Although still relatively sparsely populated compared to most of metropolitan Auckland, Oratia has developed into a community with many businesses and homes.
Community
Despite its small size, Oratia has a number of amenities:
Landsendt is a large sub-tropical garden considered to be of national significance. A range of rare plants are grown here, many originally sourced from South America, and now forming a rare plant "gene bank".
Oratia Native Plant Nursery is renowned for plant conservation, and is one of the earliest native plant nurseries in New Zealand.
Notable people
Hugh Redgrove, a plant breeder from Oratia, introduced a Hebe named "Oratia Beauty" in 1982. Ann Endt, an Oratia gardener, had a rose named after her. Gilian Painter is an Oratia writer who has had a number of books published about herbs and cookery. Geoff Davidson of Oratia Native Plant Nursery received the Life Time Achievement Award from the New Zealand Plant Conservation Network in 2007 for his work to save species from extinction and being part of major initiatives to protect plants.
Education
Oratia District School, established in 1882, provides primary education for the area. It has 24 classrooms, a learning centre, hall and lunch room. It has a roll of students as of It serves Oratia and a catchment area extending to the coast at Piha and Karekare. There is also a kindergarten located on the same site. The Bruce McLaren Intermediate school in Henderson, named after the New Zealand Racing Driver, provides education for year 7 and 8 students. The local state secondary school is Henderson High School. Liston College and St Dominic's College in Henderson both offer Catholic education.
