Awatoto is a coastal suburb area located near Napier, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand. The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "stream for hauling canoes" for Awatōtō. Awatoto had a population of 309 at the 2013 New Zealand census, a decrease of 48 people since the 2006 census. There were 153 males and 156 females. 83.2% were European/Pākehā, 23.2% were Māori, 1.1% were Pacific peoples and 4.2% were Asian. History Ngāti Kahungunu occupied the area prior to colonisation. Waitangi Mission Station was set up on the north bank of the Ngaruroro River for the Church Missionary Society by William Colenso in 1844. Awatoto was included in the sale of the Ahuriri Block for £1,500 on 17 November 1851. A soap works was set up in 1883. It burnt down in 1910 and 1915 and was flooded in 1917. Settlement of the area dates from the late 1800s, although population was minimal until the post-war years. Meeanee developed as a small settlement in the 1940s and 1950s, servicing the surrounding dairy farms. The population increased from the mid-1990s, a result of new dwellings being added to the area. Railway station Awatoto railway station was near Awatoto Road, opened on 20 June 1884. In 1880 authority was sought for £45 to be spent building a station and platform at Awatoto. It was a flag station, on the first section of the Palmerston North–Gisborne Line, which opened on 12 October 1874, from Napier to Hastings. The line was built by international contractors John Brogden and Sons. They organised the first train carrying passengers from Napier to Waitangi on Tuesday 30 June 1874. By 1896 Awatoto had a shelter shed, platform, cart approach and a passing loop for 18 wagons, extended to 23 in 1898, 45 in 1911 and 100 in 1954. In 1914 it became a tablet station and a railway house was built for the tablet man. In 1972 a new crossing loop was built nearer Waitangi bridge. On 31 January 1982 Awatoto closed to goods, except in wagon loads, and to passengers. It closed completely on 22 September 1986. Only a single track now runs through the former station site. Demographics Awatoto is in five SA1 statistical areas, which cover . The SA1 areas are part of the Meeanee-Awatoto statistical area. Awatoto had a population of 795 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 234