Ngongotahā is a town on the western shores of Lake Rotorua in New Zealand's North Island. It is 10 kilometers northwest of Rotorua city, and is part of the Rotorua metropolitan area. Its population was as of Its name is derived from a legend of Ihenga, the famous Māori explorer. It is said Īhenga met the Patu-paiarehe on Mount Ngongotahā and was offered a drink from a calabash. Ngongo means "to drink", and tahā means "calabash". Ngongotahā is often referred to by locals as the "Sunny side of the Mountain". Demographics Ngongotahā covers and had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km2. Ngongotahā had a population of 4,872 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 618 people (14.5%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 810 people (19.9%) since the 2006 census. There were 1,773 households, comprising 2,388 males and 2,478 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.96 males per female, with 1,023 people (21.0%) aged under 15 years, 867 (17.8%) aged 15 to 29, 2,088 (42.9%) aged 30 to 64, and 888 (18.2%) aged 65 or older. Ethnicities were 68.2% European/Pākehā, 41.9% Māori, 5.5% Pacific peoples, 4.2% Asian, and 1.6% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity. The percentage of people born overseas was 14.3, compared with 27.1% nationally. Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 52.2% had no religion, 34.9% were Christian, 3.1% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.4% were Hindu, 0.2% were Muslim, 0.2% were Buddhist and 1.2% had other religions. Of those at least 15 years old, 618 (16.1%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 804 (20.9%) people had no formal qualifications. 414 people (10.8%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 1,812 (47.1%) people were employed full-time, 576 (15.0%) were part-time, and 168 (4.4%) were unemployed. Marae Ngongotahā has six marae. Te Awawherowhero Marae is affiliated with the Ngāti Whakaue hapū of Ngāti Rautao. Parawai Marae and its Whatumairangi meeting house are affiliated with the Ngāti Whakaue hapū of Ngāti Tuteaiti and Te Whatumairangi, and Te Ure o Uenukukōpako hapū of Ngāti Te Ngākau and Ngāti Tura. Tarimano Marae and Tawakeheimoa meeting house are affiliated with the Ngāti Rangiwewehi hapū of Ngāti Rangiwewehi ki Uta. In October 2020, the Government committed $4,525,104 from the Provincial