Welcome to Taupo
Living in the Taupō District offers some incredible lifestyle benefits, and you don’t need to give up your career to find the perfect work/play balance!
Taupo is a popular district located in the central North Island of New Zealand, situated beside the stunning Lake Taupo, which is the largest freshwater lake in the country. It's known for its beautiful natural scenery, outdoor adventures, and geothermal activity. Some highlights of Taupo include:
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Lake Taupo: Great for water sports, fishing, and cruises, this massive lake is also famous for its beautiful views and recreational opportunities.
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Huka Falls: A spectacular waterfall where the Waikato River flows through a narrow gorge, creating a massive cascade of water.
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Geothermal Activity: Taupo and its surroundings have numerous geothermal features, such as hot springs, geysers, and mud pools.
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Tongariro National Park: Not far from Taupo, this UNESCO World Heritage site is home to the iconic Tongariro Alpine Crossing, one of New Zealand's most famous day hikes.
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Adventure Sports: Taupo is a hotspot for thrill-seekers, offering activities such as skydiving, bungee jumping, and jet boating.
About Taupo
The Demographics
Taupo, located in New Zealand, has a diverse population with a mix of residents, including both locals and visitors. Here’s a snapshot of its demographics based on the latest data:
As of the 2023 census, the town of Taupo has a population of around 40,000 people. The broader Taupo District has a population of about 50,000.
The ethnic makeup of Taupo is quite similar to the national averages of New Zealand:
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European/Pākehā: The majority of residents, around 80%.
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Māori: Around 18% of the population, reflecting the presence of Māori communities in the area.
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Pacific Peoples: About 3% of the population.
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Asian: Approximately 4% of the population.
Taupo has a balanced age distribution with a notable proportion of retirees, as it is a popular area for people seeking a quieter, lifestyle-oriented place to live:
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Median Age: Taupo’s median age is around 40 years, which is slightly older than the national median of around 37 years.
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There is a significant portion of the population over 65 years old, with retirees attracted to the town's natural beauty and recreational opportunities.
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The town’s households are a mix of families, couples, and retirees. The area has a relatively high number of people living in family settings, as well as an increasing number of people living alone, particularly retirees.
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Median Income: The median household income is lower than the national average, reflecting the town's more rural nature and the mix of local wages and retirees with fixed incomes.
The Economy
Taupo’s economy is heavily driven by tourism, with a significant portion of the workforce involved in the tourism and hospitality industries. In addition to tourism, agriculture, including forestry and farming, plays an important role in the local economy.
Taupo, while a relatively small town compared to major urban centers in New Zealand, plays a significant role in the regional economy due to its strong tourism industry. The town is one of the top destinations for domestic and international tourists.
Taupo is part of the Waikato region.
The Climate
Taupo has a temperate climate, characterized by moderate temperatures and distinct seasons. The town's climate is influenced by its inland location and elevation (about 400 meters above sea level), which means it can experience cooler temperatures than coastal areas of New Zealand.
Councils
Useful Links
Follow this link to learn about how to set up operations in NZ, raising capital and investor visas.
About Amplify
Amplify is the agency for economic development in the Taupō district. Its role is to grow the economy of the Taupō district.
The Amplify team is comprised of Taupō locals with the experience and know how to effectively provide skills, resources and tools to businesses in the district. Amplify has a passion to see the Taupō economy grow and flourish which starts with ensuring all businesses here have what they need to succeed. Whether it's a start up looking for a way to launch or a well established company in need of help, Amplify is the starting point for all business related needs.
Amplify also helps to build relationships between businesses. Through hosting events and fostering beneficial connections Amplify is able to help businesses build up a support network in Taupō. Amplify has over 50 programs available that will support your business journey. Below is a list of some of those programs:
Business Mentors
Business mentors provide advice, support and a useful sounding board.
Capability Development Funding
Boost your business capability by connecting with experienced business coaches, training providers and enterprise programmes.
Startup Validation
Our Startup Validation program offers a confidential, free, one-on-one consultation with our experienced Startup Advisor. You will have the chance to ask any business questions, ranging from planning to sales and marketing.
Amp it up - business start up program
If you have an innovative idea to take your business to the next level or a start-up that you want to work through the validation process, then Amp It Up, our 9-week workshop-based programme will help you connect, validate ideas and increase your business capability.
Business Events
Amplify, and our partners run a range of events throughout the year - Events
Business Training
Amplify and our partners run many training events throughout the year. This includes business 101-style information events, leadership programs, sector-specific events, sustainability events and much more
