Te Karaka is a small settlement inland from Gisborne, in the northeast of New Zealand's North Island. It is located in the valley of the Waipaoa River close to its junction with its tributary, the Waihora River. Te Karaka is located on State Highway 2, and is the largest settlement between Gisborne and Ōpōtiki in the Bay of Plenty.^[3]

Te Karaka holds the current North Island weather high record, set on 3 February 2020, at 40 °C recorded at 4 pm that day.^[4]

Statistics New Zealand describes Te Karaka as a rural settlement, which covers 2.92 km² (1.13 sq mi)^[1] and had an estimated population of 580 as of June 2023,^[2] with a population density of 199 people per km². It is part of the larger Waipaoa statistical area.

Te Karaka had a population of 525 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 42 people (8.7%) since the 2013 census, and a decrease of 21 people (−3.8%) since the 2006 census. There were 162 households, comprising 258 males and 264 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.98 males per female, with 132 people (25.1%) aged under 15 years, 93 (17.7%) aged 15 to 29, 219 (41.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 69 (13.1%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 33.7% European/Pākehā, 76.0% Māori, 3.4% Pasifika, 1.1% Asian, and 1.1% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 42.3% had no religion, 27.4% were Christian, 21.7% had Māori religious beliefs and 1.7% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 33 (8.4%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 117 (29.8%) people had no formal qualifications. 15 people (3.8%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 186 (47.3%) people were employed full-time, 48 (12.2%) were part-time, and 30 (7.6%) were unemployed.^[5]

Waipaoa statistical area, which also includes Otoko, covers 2,277.33 km² (879.28 sq mi)^[1] and had an estimated population of 2,170 as of June 2023,^[6] with a population density of 1 people per km².

Waipaoa had a population of 1,953 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 18 people (0.9%) since the 2013 census, and a decrease of 174 people (−8.2%) since the 2006 census. There were 675 households, comprising 1,005 males and 945 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.06 males per female. The median age was 37.4 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 468 people (24.0%) aged under 15 years, 354 (18.1%) aged 15 to 29, 885 (45.3%) aged 30 to 64, and 246 (12.6%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 61.1% European/Pākehā, 51.9% Māori, 1.4% Pasifika, 1.1% Asian, and 1.2% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 4.9, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 46.5% had no religion, 30.7% were Christian, 14.4% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.2% were Buddhist and 0.8% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 180 (12.1%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 363 (24.4%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $26,600, compared with $31,800 nationally. 141 people (9.5%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 753 (50.7%) people were employed full-time, 252 (17.0%) were part-time, and 63 (4.2%) were unemployed.^[7]

The settlement has a sports ground and local park, Te Karaka Recreation Ground.^[8]

Te Karaka has three marae belonging to the hapū of Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki.

Rangatira Marae and Whakahau meeting house is a meeting place of Ngāti Wahia.^[9][10]

Takipu Marae and Te Poho o Pikihoro meeting house is a meeting place of Te Whānau a Taupara.^[9][10]

Tapuihikitia and Te Aroha meeting house is a meeting place of Ngā Pōtiki and Te Whānau a Taupara.^[9][10] In October 2020, the Government committed $327,200 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade the marae, creating an estimated 6 jobs.^[11]

Te Karaka Area School is a Year 1-13 co-educational state area school with a roll of 100 students as of February 2024.^[12][13] The school opened in 2011, replacing the local primary school and Waikohu College.^[14]