Last updated October 2026
Mamaku is a small rural village on the Mamaku Plateau in the Rotorua Lakes District. It sits approximately 30 kilometres southwest of Rotorua at an elevation of 560 metres above sea level.
European settlers arrived in the 1880s, and the village once rivalled Rotorua in size thanks to a thriving native timber industry that supported five sawmills at its peak. Today Mamaku functions as a quiet rural community of farmers, lifestyle block owners, and commuters who drive 20 to 25 minutes into Rotorua for work and services.
Official Suburb Facts
- Population (2023 Census)
- About 1,010, up 1% since 2018
- Land area
- 76.77 km²
- Location
- 16.4 km west of central Rotorua
- Council
- Rotorua District Council
- Neighbouring suburbs
- Kinleith, Ngongotahā Valley, Hamurana, Ngatira
- Ward or local board
- Rotorua Rural General Ward (Rotorua District Council)
- Getting there
- State Highway 5, with the village 4 kilometres south of the highway
- Nearby landmarks
- Mamaku Ranges, Mamaku Plateau
Who Lives in Mamaku
About 1,010 residents in 350 households. From the 2023 Census, with the New Zealand figure alongside for comparison.
Schools in Mamaku
One school sits inside the Mamaku boundary.
Also zoned for Mamaku
Show all 4 zoned schools
Zones change, so confirm with the school before relying on one.
Bin Day in Mamaku
by 7.30am on collection day, or the night before
Streets near a suburb edge can differ, so check the council lookup if unsure.
Streets in Mamaku
26 streets are in Mamaku. Search any street in Rotorua to see which suburb it is in.
Show all 26 streets in Mamaku
- A
- Achilles Road
- Amoore Road
- Arahiwi Road
- B
- Bayley Road
- C
- Cecil Road
- Cochrane Road
- D
- Dansey Road
- K
- Kaponga Street
- Karamu Street
- M
- Maire Street
- Mamaku Street
- Mapou Street
- Maraeroa Road
- Matai Street
- Mauku Street
- O
- Okoheriki Street
- Old State Mill Road
- P
- Paeroa Street
- Patetere Street
- R
- Rata Street
- S
- South Road
- T
- Tarena Street
- Tawhero Street
- Torlea Road
- Turoa Street
- U
- Umuroa Street
A long road is listed in each suburb it runs through.
Safety and Hazards
Lower than the Rotorua average for the number of people who live here. Another 3 reports were at shops and businesses.
Handy Facilities
Weather and Rent at a Glance
City-wide figures.
In Mamaku
Places and businesses inside the official Mamaku boundary.
Places
History
European settlement of Mamaku began in the 1880s.
European settlement of Mamaku began in the 1880s. The village developed rapidly on the back of the Mamaku Ranges’ native timber resources. At the height of the timber industry, five sawmills operated in and around the settlement, processing native forest that covered the plateau. This industrial activity was large enough that Mamaku temporarily rivalled Rotorua in population size.
The native timber industry wound down through the early 20th century as accessible native bush was logged out. The last mill ceased operations on 31 March 2015. Mamaku transitioned to an agricultural and rural residential community. The logging legacy shaped the landscape that exists today, with much of the Mamaku Ranges area now carrying regenerating native bush and plantation forest.
The Village Today
Modern Mamaku is a quiet rural village characterised by farming, lifestyle blocks, and small local enterprises.
Modern Mamaku is a quiet rural village characterised by farming, lifestyle blocks, and small local enterprises. Recent additions to local industry include blueberry winemaking and off-road biking.
The plateau’s elevation gives Mamaku a noticeably cooler and often wetter climate than Rotorua city below, with misty conditions common in winter. The Mamaku Ranges form the backdrop to the settlement and support tramping, hunting, and forest recreation.
Near Mamaku
Just outside Mamaku, within 10 km of its centre, nearest first.
Places
Where to Learn More
Wikipedia — Mamaku, New Zealand: geographic, demographic and historical overview of the village.
Rotorua NZ Official Visitor Guide: activities and destinations across the Rotorua district.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people live in Mamaku?
About 1,010 people lived in Mamaku at the 2023 Census, up 1% since 2018. See Who Lives in Mamaku
What school zones cover Mamaku?
The zones of John Paul College, Rotorua Boys' High School, Rotorua Girls' High School and Western Heights High School cover all of Mamaku. Zones change, so check an address with the school. See Schools in Mamaku
When is bin day in Mamaku?
Wednesday. Bins go out by 7.30am on collection day, or the night before. Streets near the edge of the suburb can differ, so check the council lookup if unsure. See Bin Day in Mamaku
Are dogs allowed in Mamaku?
King Hill Reserve Walking Track: no dogs. See every dog park and walk in Rotorua.
What suburbs border Mamaku?
Kinleith, Ngongotahā Valley, Hamurana and Ngatira. See Official Suburb Facts
How far is Mamaku from central Rotorua?
About 16 km west of central Rotorua, measured in a straight line.
What is Mamaku's history?
European settlers arrived in the 1880s and built a thriving native timber industry. At its peak the village had five sawmills and temporarily rivalled Rotorua in size. The last mill closed in 2015 and the community transitioned to farming.
What is there to do near Mamaku?
The Mamaku Ranges offer tramping and hunting access. The village has seen recent development of off-road biking and blueberry-related activities. The elevated rural landscape is the main draw for visitors.
What is the climate like at Mamaku?
Cooler and often wetter than Rotorua city. The plateau's 560 m elevation brings more rainfall and mist, particularly in winter, and noticeably cooler temperatures year-round.
Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.
Explore Rotorua only lists suburbs officially recognised by Land Information New Zealand (LINZ), and Mamaku is one of them. Suburb boundary: LINZ, CC BY 4.0.
Sources and data notes 8
- Official Suburb Facts: Boundary, area and neighbours: LINZ, CC BY 4.0. Population: Stats NZ 2023 Census usually resident population, CC BY 4.0, summed from the statistical areas inside the boundary.
- Who Lives in Mamaku: Stats NZ 2023 Census, CC BY 4.0. Figures are summed from the census areas inside the official Mamaku boundary. Percentages are of the people or homes that answered each question; a figure is left out when fewer than 100 answered.
- Schools in Mamaku: Ministry of Education school directory and enrolment zones (CC BY 4.0 and CC BY 3.0 NZ), October 2026.
- Bin Day in Mamaku: Rotorua Lakes Council collection areas.
- Streets in Mamaku: LINZ NZ Addresses road data, CC BY 4.0.
- Safety and Hazards: NZ Police victimisation data, CC BY 4.0, September 2025 to August 2026 (crimes inside homes are only published for burglary).
- Handy Facilities: Rotorua Lakes Council public toilets; NZTA EVRoam charging sites.
- Weather and Rent at a Glance: NIWA climate averages 1991-2020 (via Figure.NZ); Tenancy Services rental bond data (MBIE), CC BY 4.0, September 2025 to August 2026.