# Rotokauri

Rotokauri is a semi-rural locality in Waikato District in New Zealand. It is one of the future urban zones of Hamilton, along with Peacocke. Part of Rotokauri was taken into Hamilton with the 10th city extension in November 1989. Until then it had been in the Waipa County Council area.
The outskirts of Rotokauri have an impressive orchid farm, all under glass, exporting blooms across the world, and providing ample local employment.
The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "kauri tree lake" for Rotokauri. Prior to the 1863 invasion of the Waikato the area was occupied by Ngāti Koura, Ngāti Ruru and Ngāti Ngamurikaitaua, all being Tainui hapū.

## Demographics

Rotokauri covers 15.64 km$^2$ (6.04 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 1,140 as of June 2024, with a population density of 73 people per km$^2$.
Rotokauri had a population of 1,011 in the 2023 New Zealand census, a decrease of 6 people (−0.6%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 99 people (10.9%) since the 2013 census. There were 519 males and 492 females in 333 dwellings. 2.1% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 44.3 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 183 people (18.1%) aged under 15 years, 171 (16.9%) aged 15 to 29, 477 (47.2%) aged 30 to 64, and 183 (18.1%) aged 65 or older.
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 86.4% European (Pākehā); 11.0% Māori; 2.1% Pasifika; 9.5% Asian; 0.3% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 3.0% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 97.6%, Māori language by 2.4%, and other languages by 11.3%. No language could be spoken by 1.2% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.3%. The percentage of people born overseas was 19.9, compared with 28.8% nationally.
Religious affiliations were 32.3% Christian, 1.2% Hindu, 0.6% Islam, 0.3% Māori religious beliefs, 0.3% New Age, and 2.7% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 52.8%, and 10.1% of people did not answer the census question.
Of those at least 15 years old, 207 (25.0%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 453 (54.7%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 171 (20.7%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $50,500, compared with $41,500 nationally. 165 people (19.9%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 444 (53.6%) people were employed full-time, 123 (14.9%) were part-time, and 9 (1.1%) were unemployed.

## Education

Rotokauri School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students with a roll of 227 as of November 2024. The school opened in 1911.

## Lakes

Waiwhakareke, or Horseshoe Lake (neither name is official) is the second largest lake in Hamilton, covering 3 ha (7.4 acres). It is a peat lake in Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park, 60 ha (150 acres) bought by the City Council in 1975. Like most of Waikato it would have been inundated by a flood of water and ignimbrite debris from Lake Taupō about 22,000 years ago. A peat bog formed in the hollow and restricted drainage. Work to restore the natural qualities of the park began in 2004. The lake drains north into a stream, which feeds Lake Rotokauri.