Castlepoint

Castlepoint is a small beachside settlement on the Wairarapa coast of the Wellington Region of New Zealand. It is home to a lighthouse which stands near the top of the northern end of a reef. The reef is about one kilometre long. At the southern end of the reef, there is an island known locally as "seagull island", due to its large population of seagulls. The southern side of Castle Rock is known as Christmas Bay. Castlepoint is approximately one hour's drive from Masterton.

Castlepoint was so named in 1770 by Captain Cook who was struck by the similarities of Castle Rock to the battlements of a castle. The Maori name for the area is Rangiwhakaoma, which translates as 'where the sky runs'.
Smaller cetaceans such as dolphins frequent around Castlepoint while larger whales such as southern right whales and humpback whales may be visible from the shores during their migration seasons.
A book chronicling the history of Castlepoint, including Castlepoint Station, Castle Point Lighthouse and the local fishing industry was published in October 2010 by Hedleys Books of Masterton.

Castle Rock is a landmark in Castlepoint and is 162m high. It includes a walk through woods and over bridges and is approximately 45 minutes long.

Mataikona Sand Dunes are an area of large sand dunes approximately 30 minutes north of Castlepoint towards the Matakona River mouth.

Demographics

The statistical unit covering Castlepoint covers and had a population of 57 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 15 people (35.7%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 30 people (111.1%) since the 2006 census. There were 24 households. There were 33 males and 21 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.57 males per female. The median age was 50.3 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 6 people (10.5%) aged under 15 years, 9 (15.8%) aged 15 to 29, 27 (47.4%) aged 30 to 64, and 12 (21.1%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 94.7% European/Pākehā, and 5.3% Māori.

Although some people objected to giving their religion, 68.4% had no religion, and 21.1% were Christian.

Of those at least 15 years old, 9 (17.6%) people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 9 (17.6%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $30,000, compared with $31,800 nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 27 (52.9%) people were employed full-time, and 6 (11.8%) were part-time.

Castlepoint is part of the Whareama statistical area.

Marae

The local Whakataki marae is affiliated with the Ngāti Kahungunu hapū of Te Hika a Pāpāuma ki Wairarapa. Its wharenui burned down 1960.

Annual horse races

Remote from other settlements Castlepoint's beach has been home since 1872 to an historic annual horse race meeting when "local station hands rode on farm hacks competing for bottles of rum and any stray coins".

Lighthouse

The Castle Point Lighthouse

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