Last updated October 2026
Ngatapa is a small rural community in the Gisborne District on New Zealand’s North Island. It lies approximately 21 kilometres northwest of Gisborne city amid rolling hill country.
The area is known for its quiet setting, historical significance from the 1868-1869 siege during Te Kooti’s War, and proximity to Eastwoodhill Arboretum. Ngātapa Marae serves as a central point for the local hapū. Visitors appreciate the peaceful landscapes and connections to Māori heritage.
Official Locality Facts
- Population (2023 Census)
- About 260, down 9% since 2018
- Land area
- 226.74 km²
- Location
- 28.9 km west of central Gisborne
- Council
- Gisborne District Council
- Neighbouring suburbs
- Rere, Pehiri, Waerengaokurī, Te Karaka, Pātūtahi, Waipaoa, Tahunga, Waituhi
- Ward or local board
- Tairāwhiti General Ward (Gisborne District Council)
- Getting there
- Sealed and unsealed roads from Gisborne; private vehicle recommended
- Nearby landmarks
- Eastwoodhill Arboretum, Ngātapa Marae, Ngatapa siege site
Who Lives in Ngātapa
About 260 residents in 90 households. From the 2023 Census, with the New Zealand figure alongside for comparison.
Schools in Ngātapa
One school sits inside the Ngātapa boundary.
Also zoned for Ngātapa
Zones change, so confirm with the school before relying on one.
Bin Day in Ngātapa
Gisborne District Council sets collection days street by street. Look up your address to get your day and which bins go out.
Find your bin day and what goes in each binStreets in Ngātapa
17 streets are in Ngātapa. Search any street in Gisborne to see which suburb it is in.
Show all 17 streets in Ngātapa
- B
- Brunton Road
- C
- Campbell Road
- F
- Falkner Road
- H
- Hihiroroa Road South
- Hills Road
- Hillside Road
- O
- O'Rourke Road East
- O'Rourke Road West
- P
- Patutahi Quarry Road
- R
- Russell Road
- S
- Smith Road
- Stafford Road
- T
- Taumata Road
- Tiniroto Road
- Totangi Road
- Turnbull Road
- W
- Wharekopae Road
A long road is listed in each suburb it runs through.
Safety and Hazards
Weather and Rent at a Glance
City-wide figures.
In Ngātapa
Places and businesses inside the official Ngātapa boundary.
Places
About Ngatapa
Ngatapa occupies a rural setting in the Gisborne District, characterised by hill country and farmland.
Ngatapa occupies a rural setting in the Gisborne District, characterised by hill country and farmland. The locality covers a large area with a small resident population. It forms part of the broader Tairāwhiti region and maintains strong ties to local iwi and hapū.
The community centres around Ngātapa Marae, which supports cultural practices and gatherings for Te Whānau a Eria and Te Whānau a Kai. The marae remains an active hub for the hapū of Te Aitanga ā Māhaki.
Eastwoodhill Arboretum lies within the Ngatapa hill country and offers extensive grounds for walking and exploring collections of exotic and native trees. The arboretum spans 131 hectares and functions as New Zealand’s national arboretum.
Ngatapa School provides primary education for local children. The area experiences a temperate climate with mild summers and cooler winters typical of the Gisborne region.
Historical Significance
The siege of Ngatapa took place from late December 1868 to early January 1869 during Te Kooti’s War.
The siege of Ngatapa took place from late December 1868 to early January 1869 during Te Kooti’s War. Colonial forces besieged the pā held by Te Kooti and his followers. After the siege, between 86 and 128 of the defenders were executed, an event later recognised by the Waitangi Tribunal as a serious human rights abuse.
The 150th anniversary of the siege was commemorated in Ngatapa in January 2019. The events remain an important part of regional discussions on justice and reconciliation.
Eastwoodhill Arboretum
Eastwoodhill Arboretum covers 131 hectares in the Ngatapa area, about 35 kilometres northwest of Gisborne.
Eastwoodhill Arboretum covers 131 hectares in the Ngatapa area, about 35 kilometres northwest of Gisborne. Founded in 1910, it contains thousands of tree species and provides walking tracks and cycleways through the grounds. The site supports conservation and public recreation year-round.
Community and Marae
Ngātapa Marae acts as the focal point for cultural and social activities.
Ngātapa Marae acts as the focal point for cultural and social activities. It belongs to the hapū Te Whānau a Eria and Te Whānau a Kai. The marae hosts events that strengthen community connections and preserve Māori traditions in the Gisborne District.
Near Ngātapa
Just outside Ngātapa, within 10 km of its centre, nearest first.
Places
Where to Learn More
Wikipedia – Ngātapa: Overview of the locality, demographics and history.
Wikipedia – Eastwoodhill Arboretum: Details on the arboretum’s size, founding and collections.
NZHistory – Ngātapa: Authoritative account of the 1868-1869 siege.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Ngātapa?
About 260 people lived in Ngātapa at the 2023 Census, down 9% since 2018. See Who Lives in Ngātapa
Which schools are zoned for Ngātapa?
Campion College's zone covers all of Ngātapa. Zones change, so check an address with the school. See Schools in Ngātapa
Does Ngātapa flood?
About 3% of the land in Ngātapa is in the council's mapped flood areas. Check a street on the council map before you buy. See Safety and Hazards
Which suburbs are next to Ngātapa?
Rere, Pehiri, Waerengaokurī, Te Karaka, Pātūtahi, Waipaoa, Tahunga and Waituhi. See Official Locality Facts
How far is Ngātapa from central Gisborne?
About 29 km west of central Gisborne, measured in a straight line.
How large is Eastwoodhill Arboretum?
The arboretum covers 131 hectares in the Ngatapa hill country.
Which hapū are associated with Ngātapa Marae?
Ngātapa Marae belongs to Te Whānau a Eria and Te Whānau a Kai of Te Aitanga ā Māhaki.
When did the siege of Ngatapa occur?
The siege took place from 31 December 1868 to 5 January 1869.
Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.
Explore Gisborne only lists suburbs officially recognised by Land Information New Zealand (LINZ), and Ngātapa is one of them. Suburb boundary: LINZ, CC BY 4.0.
Sources and data notes 6
- Official Locality Facts: Boundary, area and neighbours: LINZ, CC BY 4.0. Population: Stats NZ 2023 Census usually resident population, CC BY 4.0, summed from the statistical areas inside the boundary.
- Who Lives in Ngātapa: Stats NZ 2023 Census, CC BY 4.0. Figures are summed from the census areas inside the official Ngātapa boundary. Percentages are of the people or homes that answered each question; a figure is left out when fewer than 100 answered.
- Schools in Ngātapa: Ministry of Education school directory and enrolment zones (CC BY 4.0 and CC BY 3.0 NZ), October 2026.
- Streets in Ngātapa: LINZ NZ Addresses road data, CC BY 4.0.
- Safety and Hazards: Gisborne District Council tsunami evacuation zones and District Plan flood hazard overlays.
- Weather and Rent at a Glance: NIWA climate averages 1991-2020 (via Figure.NZ); Tenancy Services rental bond data (MBIE), CC BY 4.0, September 2025 to August 2026.