Tiroa is a rural locality in the Waitomo District and Manawatū-Whanganui region of New Zealand's North Island. State Highway 30 runs through the area.^[3] The name means "tall cabbage tree".^[4]

Pao Mīere, a Māori prophetic movement, built a cross-shaped whare wānanga (house of learning) called Te Miringa Te Kakara near Tiroa about 1887. It was destroyed by fire in 1983.^[5][6][7]

Tiroa School operated from about 1900^[8][9] with the buildings replaced in 1925.^[9] The school was open at least until 1958.^[10]

Tiroa covers 182.32 km² (70.39 sq mi)^[1] and had an estimated population of 50 as of June 2023,^[2] with a population density of 0.27 people per km².

Tiroa had a population of 42 at the 2018 New Zealand census, a decrease of 9 people (−17.6%) since the 2013 census, and a decrease of 42 people (−50.0%) since the 2006 census. There were 18 households, comprising 27 males and 18 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.5 males per female. The median age was 26.8 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 6 people (14.3%) aged under 15 years, 15 (35.7%) aged 15 to 29, 21 (50.0%) aged 30 to 64, and 3 (7.1%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 57.1% European/Pākehā, 50.0% Māori, 7.1% Pacific peoples, and 7.1% Asian. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 14.3, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 57.1% had no religion, 21.4% were Christian, and 14.3% had Māori religious beliefs.

Of those at least 15 years old, 9 (25.0%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 9 (25.0%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $36,200, compared with $31,800 nationally. 3 people (8.3%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 27 (75.0%) people were employed full-time, and 3 (8.3%) were part-time.^[11]