per km2. Piha had a population of 984 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 126 people (14.7%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 162 people (19.7%) since the 2006 census. There were 396 households, comprising 498 males and 486 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.02 males per female. The median age was 43.4 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 189 people (19.2%) aged under 15 years, 108 (11.0%) aged 15 to 29, 561 (57.0%) aged 30 to 64, and 129 (13.1%) aged 65 or older. Ethnicities were 94.8% European/Pākehā, 13.4% Māori, 3.4% Pacific peoples, 3.0% Asian, and 2.1% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity. The percentage of people born overseas was 19.2, compared with 27.1% nationally. Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 66.8% had no religion, 18.9% were Christian, 0.3% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.3% were Hindu, 0.6% were Buddhist and 4.6% had other religions. Of those at least 15 years old, 279 (35.1%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 48 (6.0%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $42,700, compared with $31,800 nationally. 198 people (24.9%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 429 (54.0%) people were employed full-time, 129 (16.2%) were part-time, and 21 (2.6%) were unemployed. Features and geology As well as two surf beaches there are also a sheltered lagoon and several streams in the area. The coastline and forested Waitākere Ranges offer a number of walks, or tramps, ranging from easy to very difficult. Due to the spread of the incurable kauri dieback disease large parts of the Waitākere Ranges were closed from 2018 until further notice. Piha is a well known black sand beach, due to the high iron content, which originated from Mount Taranaki and earlier volcanoes in the area. Lion Rock is a natural formation dividing North and South Piha beaches. It is an eroded 16-million-year-old volcanic neck, named for its similarity to a lying male lion when viewed from the rear (shore side), Lion Rock is immediately visible to visitors as they descend along the only access road. Lion Rock has become iconic not only of Piha, but of Auckland's West Coast in general. Lion Rock was featured on stamps as well as an Auckland phone book, and in