Warea, New Zealand

Warea
Interactive map of Warea
Coordinates: 39°13′41″S 173°48′58″E / 39.22806°S 173.81611°E / -39.22806; 173.81611
CountryNew Zealand
RegionTaranaki
DistrictSouth Taranaki District
Wards
  • Taranaki Coastal General Ward
  • Te Kūrae Māori Ward
CommunityTaranaki Coastal Community
Electorates
Government
 • Territorial AuthoritySouth Taranaki District Council
 • Regional councilTaranaki Regional Council
 • Mayor of South TaranakiPhil Nixon
 • New Plymouth MPDavid MacLeod
 • Te Tai Hauāuru MPDebbie Ngarewa-Packer
Area
 • Total
42.15 km2 (16.27 sq mi)
Population
 (2023)
 • Total
390
 • Density9.3/km2 (24/sq mi)

Warea is a community in the west of Taranaki, in the North Island of New Zealand. It is located on State Highway 45, 26 kilometres north of Ōpunake. The local Pūniho Marae, also known as Tarawainuku Marae, is a traditional meeting ground of the Taranaki Iwi hapū of Ngā Māhanga. It includes the Kaimirumiru and Ko Pauna te Tipuna meeting houses.

During the First Taranaki War in April 1860, government troops crossed the Hangatahua River and attacked Māori settlements and a mill around Warea. On 28 April 1865 during Second Taranaki War, Warea was the location of a government fortification, Warea Redoubt. The redoubt was abandoned in early 1868.