Orewa beach is one of the longest and safest beaches in Auckland. One of the more notable events on the beach is the Orewa Big Dig. This is an annual event organized by the local Lions Club, where children dig in the sand to find prizes. All monies raised go tolocal community groups. Orewa Community Centre is located in Orewa Square. The Hibiscus Community Centre is located at 214E Hibiscus Coast Highway.
Demographics
Orewa, comprising the three statistical areas of Orewa Central, Orewa North and Orewa South, had a population of 10,242 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 1,653 people since the 2013 census, and an increase of 2,871 people since the 2006 census. There were 4,389 households. There were 4,599 males and 5,643 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.81 males per female, with 1,287 people aged under 15 years, 1,170 aged 15 to 29, 3,720 aged 30 to 64, and 4,062 aged 65 or older. Ethnicities were 86.1% European/Pākehā, 6.1% Māori, 2.7% Pacific peoples, 11.0% Asian, and 1.9% other ethnicities. The proportion of people born overseas was 35.8%, compared with 27.1% nationally. Although some people objected to giving their religion, 42.2% had no religion, 47.6% were Christian, and 4.3% had other religions. Of those at least 15 years old, 1,707 people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 1,683 people had no formal qualifications. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 3,210 people were employed full-time, 1,107 were part-time, and 165 were unemployed.
Education
Orewa District High School was founded in 1956. In 1974, the school was split into Orewa School and Orewa College. Orewa North School was founded in 1978, and another primary school opened at Red Beach to the south in 1988. Orewa College is a secondary school with a roll of students. Orewa School and Orewa North School are contributing primary schools, with rolls of students and students respectively. All three schools are coeducational. Rolls are as of
In 2005 locally famous Puriri Park, at the foot of Eaves Bush, was sold for over $2,000,000. It was being subdivided in a $450 million development to form the community of Kensington Park to provide for the rapidly rising demand for housing in Orewa and the surrounding area. This upset some elderly locals as they regarded the old park as a popular place for people to enjoy their holidays and saw the development as a sign of further development to Orewa. However the developer went into receivership in September 2008 after completing less than 10% of the 750 homes planned.
