Peka Peka

Emperor penguins are usually only found in the Antarctic. It had been 44 years since the species was last spotted in the wild in New Zealand. Peka Beach is a clothing-optional beach by custom. New Zealand has no official nude beaches, as public nudity is legal on any beach where it is "known to occur".

• Name — Peka Peka • Subdivision Type — Country • Subdivision Name — New Zealand • Subdivision Type1 — Region • Subdivision Name1 — Wellington Region • Subdivision Type2 — Territorial authority • Subdivision Name2 — Kāpiti Coast District • Subdivision Type3 — Ward • Subdivision Name3 — Waikanae Ward • Subdivision Type4 — Community • Subdivision Name4 — Waikanae Community • Seat Type — Electorates • Seat — * Ōtaki until the 2026 election, then Kapiti • Te Tai Hauāuru (Māori) • Leader Title — Territorial Authority • Leader Name — Kāpiti Coast District Council • Leader Title1 — Regional council • Leader Name1 — Greater Wellington Regional Council • Leader Title2 — Kāpiti Coast Mayor • Leader Name2 — Kapiti Coast District Mayor • Leader Title3 — Ōtaki MP • Leader Name3 — Ōtaki MP • Leader Title4 — Te Tai Hauāuru MP • Mapframe — yes • Mapframe Zoom — 11 • Image Skyline — PekaPekaBeach.jpg • Image Caption — Peka Peka Beach, looking north • Area Total Km2 — 10.02 • Population Total — Peka Peka • Population Density Km2 — auto Peka Peka, sometimes spelled Pekapeka, is a seaside locality on the Kāpiti Coast of New Zealand's North Island. It is located just off State Highway 1 and the North Island Main Trunk railway between Waikanae and Te Horo. Peka Peka was briefly internationally famous when a young emperor penguin, nicknamed Happy Feet, appeared on Peka Peka beach on 21 June 2011. Emperor penguins are usually only found in the Antarctic. It had been 44 years since the species was last spotted in the wild in New Zealand. Peka Peka Beach is a clothing-optional beach by custom. New Zealand has no official nude beaches, as public nudity is legal on any beach where it is "known to occur".

Peka Peka statistical area covers 10.02 km2. It had an estimated population of Peka Peka as of with a population density of people per km 2. Peka Peka had a population of 702 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 90 people (14.7%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 198 people (39.3%) since the 2013 census. There were 345 males and 354 females in 276 dwellings. 2.6% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 54.5 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 81 people (11.5%) aged under 15 years, 72 (10.3%) aged 15 to 29, 330 (47.0%) aged 30 to 64, and 216 (30.8%) aged 65 or older. People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 92.7% European (Pākehā), 7.3% Māori, 1.7% Pasifika, 3.4% Asian, and 3.4% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 98.3%, Māori by 2.6%, Samoan by 0.4%, and other languages by 8.5%. No language could be spoken by 0.9% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.4%. The percentage of people born overseas was 25.2, compared with 28.8% nationally. Religious affiliations were 26.1% Christian, 0.4% Hindu, 1.3% Islam, 1.3% Buddhist, 0.9% New Age, 0.4% Jewish, and 0.4% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 64.5%, and 4.7% of people did not answer the census question. Of those at least 15 years old, 201 (32.4%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 309 (49.8%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 99 (15.9%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $46,400, compared with $41,500 nationally. 144 people (23.2%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 264 (42.5%) full-time, 105 (16.9%) part-time, and 6 (1.0%) unemployed.