Arapuni

Last updated

New Zealand location map.svg
Disc Plain red.svg
Arapuni

Arapuni is a rural town centre on the Waikato river in the South Waikato District of New Zealand. The population on census night 2006 was 2,145 usual residents, slightly down from 2,163 in 2001 and 2,211 in 1996.

State houses at Arapuni Hydro Works State houses at Arapuni Hydro Works.jpg
State houses at Arapuni Hydro Works

The town sits next to the Arapuni Dam, a hydroelectric dam at Lake Arapuni commissioned in 1929. The Arapuni Power Station consists of eight turbines which give a total output of 196 MW, the largest of the power stations on the Waikato river. The Arapuni hydro station is owned and operated by Mercury Energy. [1]

The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "blocked path" for Arapuni. [2]

The Arapuni Suspension Bridge below the dam is freely open to public.

The name Arapuni derives from Ara, meaning path and puni, meaning blocked or covered, and translates as blocked or covered path.

"Drowned forest" revealed after water was diverted, 1929 View of the drowned forest that came into view as land was uncovered by water being diverted at Arapuni, 1929. ATLIB 295106.png
"Drowned forest" revealed after water was diverted, 1929

Marae

The local Pōhara Marae is a meeting ground of the Ngāti Raukawa hapū of Ngāti Korokī and Ngāti Mahuta, the Ngāti Korokī Kahukura hapū of Ngāti Hourua, and the Waikato Tainui hapū of Ngāti Korokī and Ngāti Raukawa ki Panehākua. [3]

It features the Rangiātea meeting house. [4]

In October 2020, the Government committed $2,584,751 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade the marae and 5 other Waikato Tainui marae, creating 69 jobs. [5]

Related Research Articles

Kawhia Harbour Place in Waikato region, New Zealand

Kawhia Harbour is one of three large natural inlets in the Tasman Sea coast of the Waikato region of New Zealand's North Island. It is located to the south of Raglan Harbour, Ruapuke and Aotea Harbour, 40 kilometres southwest of Hamilton. Kawhia is part of the Otorohanga District Council and is in the King Country. It has a high-tide area of 68 km2 (26 sq mi) and a low-tide area of 18 km2 (6.9 sq mi).

Putāruru Town in North Island, New Zealand

Putāruru is a small town in the South Waikato District and the Waikato region of New Zealand's North Island. It lies on the western side of the Mamaku Ranges and in the upper basin of the Waihou River. It is on the Oraka Stream 65 kilometres south-east of Hamilton. State Highway 1 and the Kinleith Branch railway run through the town.

Ōtaki, New Zealand Place

Ōtaki is a town in the Kapiti Coast District of the North Island of New Zealand, situated half way between the capital city Wellington, 70 km (43 mi) to the southwest, and Palmerston North, 70 km (43 mi) to the northeast. In the 2018 census, the town's recorded population was 3,489.

Waikato Tainui, Waikato or Tainui is a group of Māori people iwi based in Waikato Region, in the western central region of New Zealand's North Island. It is part of the larger Tainui confederation of Polynesian settlers who arrived to New Zealand on the Tainui waka. The tribe is named after the Waikato River, which plays a large part in its history and culture.

Taupiri Town

Taupiri is a small town of about 450 people on the eastern bank of the Waikato River in the Waikato District of New Zealand. It is overlooked by Taupiri mountain, the sacred burial ground for the Waikato tribes of the Māori people, located just to the north.

Manakau Place in Wellington, New Zealand

Manakau is a settlement in the Horowhenua District, at the boundary of the Manawatū-Whanganui and Wellington regions of New Zealand's North Island. It lies 8 km north of Otaki and 12 km south of Levin, and is connected to both via State Highway 1, which skirts Manakau's western edge. The township 5 km inland from the coast of the Tasman Sea.

Halcombe

Halcombe is a small settlement in the Manawatū-Whanganui region of the North Island, New Zealand. It is situated 13 km north west of Feilding and 4 km east of the Rangitikei River, between State Highway 1 and State Highway 54.

Mokai is a rural community in the Taupo District and Waikato region of New Zealand's North Island.

Matangi, New Zealand Village

Matangi is a settlement in the Waikato District on the eastern border of Hamilton. It is surrounded by many lifestyle blocks, but the village centre has Matangi School, a garage, Four Square, takeaway and café, Matangi Hall, St David’s church and Matangi recreation reserve.

Tauwhare is a small rural community in the Waikato District on the outskirts of Hamilton. The Waitakaruru Arboretum and Sculpture Park is located here.

Ohinewai Place in Waikato, New Zealand

Ohinewai or Ōhinewai is a small settlement in the Waikato Region, in New Zealand. It is located on the east bank of the Waikato River on SH1, 9 km north of Huntly

Okauia is a rural settlement and community located east of Matamata, in the Waikato region of New Zealand's North Island.

Tapapa Place in Waikato, New Zealand

Tapapa is a rural community in the Waikato region of New Zealand's North Island.

Parawera or Pārāwera is a village rural community in the Waipa District and Waikato region of New Zealand's North Island. It is located south-east of Te Awamutu and Kihikihi, and east of State Highway 3. It was a Māori settlement during the 19th century.

Koputaroa or Kōputaroa is a rural community in the Horowhenua District and Manawatū-Whanganui region of New Zealand's North Island.

Wharepapa South is a rural community in the Waipa District and Waikato region of New Zealand's North Island. It is located west of Putaruru and east of Te Awamutu.

Rotokawa is a rural community in the Taupo District and Waikato region of New Zealand's North Island.

Waihāhā is a village and rural community in the Taupo District and Waikato region of New Zealand's North Island.

Puketotara, or Puketōtara, is a rural community in the Otorohanga District and Waikato region of New Zealand's North Island.

Waotu or Te Waotu is a rural community in the South Waikato District and Waikato region of New Zealand's North Island.

References

  1. "Arapuni". Mighty River Power. Archived from the original on 16 May 2008.
  2. "1000 Māori place names". New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage. 6 August 2019.
  3. "Te Kāhui Māngai directory". tkm.govt.nz. Te Puni Kōkiri.
  4. "Māori Maps". maorimaps.com. Te Potiki National Trust.
  5. "Marae Announcements" (Excel). growregions.govt.nz. Provincial Growth Fund. 9 October 2020.

Coordinates: 38°04′S175°39′E / 38.067°S 175.650°E / -38.067; 175.650