Miramar is a suburb of Wellington, New Zealand, south-east of the city centre. It is on the Miramar Peninsula, directly east of the isthmus of Rongotai, the site of Wellington International Airport. History See Miramar Peninsula for an extended history of the whole island/peninsula. The original Māori name for the area when it was still an island was Te Motu Kairangi (meaning "esteemed" or "precious" island). The island is now a peninsula, but was separated from the main island by a sea channel called Te Awa-a-Taia (the channel of Taia); this was where Kilbirnie is now. The island of Te Motu Kairangi was first settled as long ago as 950 when Kupe the explorer arrived. The area was home in turn to Ngai Tara, Rangitane, Ngati Kahungungu, Ngai Tahu, Mua Upoko, Ngati Ira, and Te Ati Awa. Kupe first landed near Seatoun, and a large rock near the shore still bears the name Te Ure-o-Kupe (Kupe’s penis) or Te Aroaro-o-Kupe (Kupe’s presence) Ngai Tara were the first to settle here, and built the first pa, named "Whetu Kairangi" on the hill overlooking Worser bay. The name of Wellington harbour "Whanganui-a-Tara" (harbour of Tara) was also named for Tara. 'Miramar' means "sea view" in Spanish. The name was chosen by the first European to settle in the area, Scotsman Coutts Crawford (1817-1889). Crawford was a former Royal Navy officer turned businessman and colonist, who arrived in Wellington in 1840. Crawford established a farm on the peninsula, which at the time was known as Watt's Peninsula, and drained a large lagoon known as Burnham Water. This lagoon covered much of the low-lying land on the peninsula; now this area is occupied by suburban houses, streets, parks and shops. On 18 November 1904 Miramar Borough was formed. In April 1921, Miramar was incorporated into the City of Wellington. The records of the Miramar Borough Council were transferred to the City of Wellington at the time of amalgamation and can still be accessed today through Wellington City Council. Demographics Miramar, comprising the statistical areas of Miramar North, Miramar Central, Miramar East and Miramar South, covers . It had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km2. Miramar had a population of 9,831 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 345 people (3.6%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 621 people (6.7%) since the 2006