Riwaka () is a small settlement in the Tasman District of New Zealand's South Island. It lies beside Tasman Bay / Te Tai-o-Aorere, five kilometres north of Motueka, and close to the mouth of the Riuwaka River. The land where the town is based was a swamp known as Tureauraki. Europeans first settled in Riwaka in May 1842. The Riwaka economy has been based around growing tobacco and hops. Etymology The settlement's name, Riwaka, is a corruption of the Māori name Riuwaka, which derives from riu meaning bilge or interior, and waka meaning canoe. The name can be interpreted as the hull of the canoe. The name of the nearby river was officially altered from Riwaka River to Riuwaka River in August 2014, following the Treaty of Waitangi settlements between the Crown and local iwi Ngāti Rārua and Te Atiawa o Te Waka-a-Māui. Demographics Riwaka Riwaka, comprising the SA1 statistical areas of 7022557, 7022560, 7022561, 7022562 and 7022566, covers . It had a population of 765 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 108 people (16.4%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 135 people (21.4%) since the 2006 census. There were 270 households. There were 396 males and 372 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.06 males per female, with 168 people (22.0%) aged under 15 years, 117 (15.3%) aged 15 to 29, 366 (47.8%) aged 30 to 64, and 111 (14.5%) aged 65 or older. Ethnicities were 92.5% European/Pākehā, 14.1% Māori, 1.6% Pacific peoples, 2.0% Asian, and 2.7% other ethnicities (totals add to more than 100% since people could identify with multiple ethnicities). Although some people objected to giving their religion, 66.3% had no religion, 21.2% were Christian, 0.4% were Hindu, 0.4% were Buddhist and 3.5% had other religions. Of those at least 15 years old, 96 (16.1%) people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 114 (19.1%) people had no formal qualifications. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 333 (55.8%) people were employed full-time, 96 (16.1%) were part-time, and 12 (2.0%) were unemployed. Kaiteriteri-Riwaka statistical area The larger Kaiteriteri-Riwaka SA2 statistical area includes Mārahau and Kaiteriteri and covers . It had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km2. Kaiteriteri-Riwaka had a population of 1,761 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 222 people (14.4%) since the 2013 census, and an increase