Māhia Peninsula (Maori: or ) is located on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island, in the Hawke's Bay region, between the towns of Wairoa and Gisborne. Rocket Lab has set up its Launch Complex 1 close to Ahuriri Point at the southern tip of the peninsula to launch its Electron rocket. Since 2018, it has been used as a commercial launcher of small satellites in the range of 135–235 kg, and miniature satellites called CubeSats. New Zealand's first orbital space launch took place from Launch Complex 1 on 21 January 2018. Geography The peninsula is long and wide. Its highest point is Rahuimokairoa, above sea level. The peninsula was once an island, but now a tombolo joins it to the North Island. Demographics Māhia Beach, which is on the northeast coast of the peninsula, is described by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement. It covers . It is part of the wider Mahia statistical area. Māhia Beach had a population of 183 at the 2018 New Zealand census, a decrease of 3 people (−1.6%) since the 2013 census, and a decrease of 57 people (−23.8%) since the 2006 census. There were 93 households, comprising 81 males and 99 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.82 males per female. The median age was 60.1 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 21 people (11.5%) aged under 15 years, 12 (6.6%) aged 15 to 29, 84 (45.9%) aged 30 to 64, and 60 (32.8%) aged 65 or older. Ethnicities were 68.9% European/Pākehā, 37.7% Māori, 1.6% Pacific peoples, and 1.6% Asian. People may identify with more than one ethnicity. Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 36.1% had no religion, 50.8% were Christian, and 6.6% had Māori religious beliefs. Of those at least 15 years old, 18 (11.1%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 33 (20.4%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $24,900, compared with $31,800 nationally. 24 people (14.8%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 48 (29.6%) people were employed full-time, 27 (16.7%) were part-time, and 3 (1.9%) were unemployed. Mahia statistical area Mahia statistical area, which includes Nūhaka, covers and had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km2. The peninsula itself covers Mahia had a population of 1,119 at