Kaitaia

Kaitaia
Interactive map of Kaitaia
Coordinates: 35°6′45″S 173°15′46″E / 35.11250°S 173.26278°E / -35.11250; 173.26278
CountryNew Zealand
IslandNorth Island
RegionNorthland
Territorial authorityFar North District
WardTe Hiku (General) / Ngā Tai o Tokerau (Māori)
CommunityTe Hiku
SubdivisionKaitāia
Became town district1 December 1922
Became borough1 September 1945
Merged into Far North District1 November 1989
Electorates
Government
 • Territorial AuthorityFar North District Council
 • Regional councilNorthland Regional Council
 • Mayor of Far NorthMoko Tepania
 • Northland MPGrant McCallum
 • Te Tai Tokerau MPMariameno Kapa-Kingi
Area
 • Total
8.48 km2 (3.27 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2025)
 • Total
6,170
 • Density728/km2 (1,880/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+12 (NZST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+13 (NZDT)
Postcode(s)
0410
Area code09

Kaitaia (Māori: Kaitāia) is a town in the Far North District of New Zealand, at the base of the Aupōuri Peninsula, about 160 km northwest of Whangārei. It is the last major settlement on State Highway 1. Ahipara Bay, the southern end of Te Oneroa-a-Tōhē / Ninety Mile Beach, is 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) west.

The main industries are forestry and tourism. The population is 6,170 as of June 2025, which makes it the second-largest town in the Far North District, after Kerikeri.

The name Kaitāia means 'ample food', kai being the Māori word for food.

The Muriwhenua are a group of six northern Māori iwi occupying the northernmost part of the North Island surrounding Kaitaia.