Foxton Beach is a small settlement in the Horowhenua District of the Manawatà «-Whanganui region of New Zealand's North Island. It is located on the South Taranaki Bight at the mouth of the Manawatà « River, 35 kilometres southwest of Palmerston North, and six kilometres west of Foxton. Foxton Beach has a permanent population of around 2000 people. The town is a popular holiday destination due mainly to its beach and the bird sanctuary at the Manawatà « Estuary.
Te Wharangi was a large MÃÂori settlement at the location and a riverside fishing station where canoes could be tied up.
European settlement began in the 1840s, when it became a staging point for horsedrawn travel along the coast between Wellington and Whanganui. It later became a centre for export of flax and timber by steamer.
Foxton Beach is described by Statistics New Zealand as a small urban area, which covers . It had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km<sup>2</sup>.
Foxton Beach had a population of 2,130 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 246 people (13.1%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 510 people (31.5%) since the 2013 census. There were 1,062 males, 1,062 females, and 9 people of other genders in 948 dwellings. 2.8% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 57.2 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 267 people (12.5%) aged under 15 years, 225 (10.6%) aged 15 to 29, 897 (42.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 741 (34.8%) aged 65 or older.
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 89.2% European (PÃÂkehÃÂ); 20.7% MÃÂori; 2.3% Pasifika; 1.4% Asian; 0.1% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.5% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 98.2%, MÃÂori by 4.1%, Samoan by 0.1%, and other languages by 3.2%. No language could be spoken by 1.3% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.3%. The percentage of people born overseas was 9.6, compared with 28.8% nationally.
Religious affiliations were 27.9% Christian, 0.1% Hindu, 0.1% Islam, 1.0% MÃÂori religious beliefs, 0.1% Buddhist, 0.7% New Age, and 1.0% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 59.4%, and 9.6% of people did not answer the census question.
Of those at least 15 years old, 249 (13.4%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 1,044 (56.0%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 564 (30.3%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $29,400, compared with $41,500 nationally. 105 people (5.6%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 693 (37.2%) full-time, 252 (13.5%) part-time, and 48 (2.6%) unemployed.
Foxton Beach is located on the Manawatà « Estuary at the mouth of the Manawatà « River. The style of houses built in new subdivisions indicate that the permanent population is growing.
The estuary is a Ramsar site and an internationally recognised bird sanctuary, where migrating and New Zealand native birds enjoy the mudflats and wetlands. It is a feeding spot for migrating godwits.
The council has built storm surge protection consisting of concrete barriers and small hill-like barriers with a path on top, which are connected to Sunset Walk, a riverside walkway.
The river has recreation opportunities such as bird watching, water skiing and fishing. Manawatu Marine Boating club is located at the Foxton Beach Wharf on the river. Holben / Te Wharangi Reserve has a playground, soundshell (stage) and skate park.
The beach is popular for swimming in summer and is patrolled by the Foxton Surf Life Saving Club.
Foxton Beach School is a coeducational state full primary school (years 1âÂÂ8) with a roll of It opened in 1951.
The nearest secondary school is Manawatà « College in nearby Foxton.