Kaipara District

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Kaipara District
Kaipara District Council Building, Dargaville.JPG
Kaipara District Council building in Dargaville
Kaipara in the North Island.svg
Kaipara district within the North Island
Coordinates: 36°04′S174°05′E / 36.06°S 174.09°E / -36.06; 174.09
Country New Zealand
Region Northland
WardsDargaville
West Coast-Central
Otamatea
Kaiwaka-Mangawhai
Seat Dargaville
Government
   Mayor Craig Jepson [1]
  Deputy MayorAnna Curnow
   Territorial authority Kaipara District Council
Area
[2]
  Land3,109.09 km2 (1,200.43 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2023) [3]
  Total27,300
Time zone UTC+12 (NZST)
  Summer (DST) UTC+13 (NZDT)
Postcode(s)
Website Kaipara District Council

Kaipara District is a territorial authority district in the Northland Region of New Zealand.

Contents

History

Kaipara District was formed through the 1989 New Zealand local government reforms and was constituted on 1 November 1989. It was made up of five former boroughs and counties: all of Hobson County, Dargaville Borough, Otamatea County, and parts of Rodney County and Whangarei County. In addition, it took over the functions of the Raupo Drainage Board, Kaiwaka Reserve Board, and the Pahi Reserve Boards. [4]

Geography

Kaipara District is located in the rolling hills around the northern shores of the Kaipara Harbour, a large natural harbour open to the Tasman Sea. Kaipara District Council shares management of the harbour with various other organisations, most notably Northland Regional Council (in the north) and Auckland Council to the south. [5]

The roughly triangular district stretches from a thinning of the Northland Peninsula south of Kaiwaka and Mangawhai in the southeast to the Waipoua Forest in the northwest. The District's western boundary is defined by Ripiro Beach which stretches down Northland’s west coast from Maunganui Bluff and the Waipoua Forest in the North, to Pouto at the entrance to the Kaipara Harbour. The region is bisected by the Northern Wairoa River and its tributaries, which flow into the northern end of the Kaipara Harbour.

Population centres

The District has no major urban centre but does have numerous towns and villages including Dargaville (the primary service centre in the west), Ruawai, Matakohe, Paparoa, Maungaturoto, Kaiwaka, Mangawhai, Tinopai, Te Kōpuru, Kaihu, and Pahi as well as the rural area which surrounds them. It has a population of 27,300(June 2023), [3] of whom about 5,130 live in Dargaville, the seat of the district council.

The population is largely rural, living in small settlements scattered amongst the rolling hills or nestled on the shores of the harbour, including the harbour villages of Tinopai, Pahi and Whakapirau. The area around Dargaville is noted for the high proportion of residents of Dalmatian descent and has an active Dalmatian Club.

The nearest city is Whangārei, 45 kilometres northeast of Dargaville.

Community spirit is strong amongst the various rural communities, as is evident by the numerous local clubs, volunteer organisations and other initiatives. Dargaville has an annual Arts and Crafts Festival run by the local Rotary club and also features weekly Riverside Produce Markets on Thursday afternoons.

Maungaturoto has a monthly market on a Friday from 4pm to 7pm at the Maungaturoto Hall and also has a volunteer group (Maungaturoto Residents Association) [6] dedicated to beautifying the town. A similar volunteer group also exists in Ruawai and Paparoa (Progressive Paparoa).

Demographics

Kaipara District covers 3,109.09 km2 (1,200.43 sq mi) [2] and had an estimated population of 27,300 as of June 2023, [3] with a population density of 9 people per km2.

Ethnicities, 2023 Census
EthnicityPopulation
New Zealand European
21,687
Māori
6,579
Pasifika
1,254
Asian
927
MELAA
141
Other
384
Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
18,1352,013    
201318,963+0.01%
201822,869+3.82%
202325,899+2.52%
Source: [7] [8]
Maungaturoto Markets are held on the 1st Friday of the month. Maungaturoto Markets.JPG
Maungaturoto Markets are held on the 1st Friday of the month.
Photo taken from View Road, Maungaturoto Typical Maungaturoto View.jpg
Photo taken from View Road, Maungaturoto

Kaipara District had a population of 25,899 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 3,030 people (13.2%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 6,936 people (36.6%) since the 2013 census. There were 13,482 dwellings. The median age was 46.8 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 4,737 people (18.3%) aged under 15 years, 3,480 (13.4%) aged 15 to 29, 11,370 (43.9%) aged 30 to 64, and 6,309 (24.4%) aged 65 or older. [7]

Ethnicities were 83.7% European/Pākehā, 25.4% Māori, 4.8% Pasifika, 3.6% Asian, 0.5% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders, and 1.5% other. People may identify with more than one ethnicity. [7]

Kaipara District had a population of 22,869 at the 2018 New Zealand census. There were 8,748 households. There were 11,520 males and 11,349 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.02 males per female.

The percentage of people born overseas was 14.2, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people objected to giving their religion, 51.9% had no religion, 34.5% were Christian, 2.7% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.5% were Hindu, 0.2% were Muslim, 0.4% were Buddhist and 1.4% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 2,085 (11.3%) people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 4,572 (24.8%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $24,500, compared with $31,800 nationally. 1,998 people (10.8%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 7,803 (42.3%) people were employed full-time, 2,964 (16.1%) were part-time, and 639 (3.5%) were unemployed. [8]

Individual wards (2018 boundaries)
NameArea (km2)PopulationDensity (per km2)HouseholdsMedian ageMedian income
Dargaville Ward12.564,794381.691,81244.1 years$22,200 [9]
West Coast-Central Ward2,368.767,2933.082,76044.8 years$25,600 [10]
Otamatea Ward727.3910,78514.834,17647.8 years$25,600 [11]
New Zealand37.4 years$31,800

Local government

Prior to 2022, Kaipara District was divided into four wards:

Since 2022, it is now reverted back into three wards (which is the last amount since the 2016 elections). This time both West Coast-Central and Dargaville Wards were merged to form into Wairoa Ward.

On 6 September 2012, commissioners were appointed by the Minister of Local Government to take over the governance of the Kaipara District Council. The appointment followed the completion of the work of the review team, which had been put in place by the Minister of Local Government in June 2012 to assess the financial management and governance challenges facing the council. The review team concluded that the challenges were beyond the ability of the mayor and councillors to manage. The elected council agreed and asked the Minister to appoint commissioners. The Kaipara District Council commissioners were John Robertson (chairman), Richard Booth, Colin Dale and Peter Winder. [12]

In 2016, a new Kaipara District Council was elected, with Peter Winder guiding the council as Crown manager. In 2019, the council returned to full self-management. [13]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northland Region</span> Region of New Zealand

The Northland Region is the northernmost of New Zealand's 16 local government regions. New Zealanders sometimes refer to it as the Winterless North because of its mild climate all throughout the year. The main population centre is the city of Whangārei, and the largest town is Kerikeri. At the 2018 New Zealand census, Northland recorded a population growth spurt of 18.1% since the previous 2013 census, placing it as the fastest growing region in New Zealand, ahead of other strong growth regions such as the Bay of Plenty Region and Waikato.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dargaville</span> Town in Northland, New Zealand

Dargaville is a town located in the North Island of New Zealand. It is situated on the bank of the Northern Wairoa River in the Kaipara District of the Northland region. Dargaville is located 55 kilometres (34 mi) southwest of Whangārei, and 174 kilometres (108 mi) north of Auckland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kaipara Harbour</span> Harbour estuary in New Zealand

Kaipara Harbour is a large enclosed harbour estuary complex on the north western side of the North Island of New Zealand. The northern part of the harbour is administered by the Kaipara District and the southern part is administered by the Auckland Council. The local Māori tribe is Ngāti Whātua.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Far North District</span> Territorial authority district in Northland Region, New Zealand

The Far North District is the northernmost territorial authority district of New Zealand, consisting of the northern part of the Northland Peninsula in the North Island. It stretches from North Cape / Otou and Cape Reinga / Te Rerenga Wairua in the north, down to the Bay of Islands, the Hokianga and the town of Kaikohe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maungaturoto</span> Place in Northland Region, New Zealand

Maungaturoto is a small town in the Northland Region of New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ruawai</span> Place in Northland Region, New Zealand

Ruawai is a small town located 30 km south of Dargaville in Northland, New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kaiwaka</span> Place in Northland Region, New Zealand

Kaiwaka, known as "the little town of lights", is a settlement in Northland, New Zealand. The Kaiwaka River runs from the east through the area and joins with the Wairau River to form the Otamatea River, which drains into the Kaipara Harbour. State Highway 1 passes through Kaiwaka. Wellsford is 20 kilometres (12 mi) south, Brynderwyn is 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) north, and Whangārei, the closest city, is 60 kilometres (37 mi) to the north. The Mangawhai Heads are 18 kilometres (11 mi) northeast of Kaiwaka.

Mangawhai Heads is a township in Northland, New Zealand. Waipu is 21 kilometres northwest, and Mangawhai is 5 kilometres southwest. Mangawhai Heads is on the north shore of the Mangawhai Harbour.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mangawhai Harbour</span> Harbour in Northland Region, New Zealand

The Mangawhai Harbour is a natural harbour in New Zealand. It is a sandspit estuary on the south-eastern coast of the Northland Region. The townships of Mangawhai and Mangawhai Heads are on the harbour. The Mangawhai Government Purpose Wildlife Refuge Reserve covers the sandspit between the harbour and the ocean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matakohe</span> Place in Northland Region, New Zealand

Matakohe is a settlement in Northland, New Zealand. The Matakohe River is a short river which runs from the north into the Arapaoa River, which is part of the Kaipara Harbour. State Highway 12 passes through Matakohe. Ruawai is 16 km to the west, and Paparoa is 6 km north east. The Hukatere Peninsula extends south into the Kaipara Harbour.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paparoa</span> Place in Northland Region, New Zealand

Paparoa is a settlement in Northland, New Zealand. The Paparoa Stream flows from the east, through the settlement, and into the Paparoa Creek to the south, which joins the Arapaoa River which is part of the Kaipara Harbour. State Highway 12 passes through Paparoa. Matakohe is 6 km to the south west, and Maungaturoto is 12 km east.

Te Kōpuru is the largest community on the Pouto Peninsula in Northland, New Zealand. The Wairoa River separates the peninsula at this point from the main North Auckland Peninsula to the east. Dargaville is 14 km (8.7 mi) to the north.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Whangarei District</span> Territorial authority district in Northland, New Zealand

Whangarei District is a territorial authority district in the Northland Region of New Zealand that is governed by the Whangarei District Council. The district is made up in area largely by rural land, and includes a fifth of the Northland Region. It extends southwards to the southern end of Bream Bay, northwards to Whangaruru and almost to the Bay of Islands, and westwards up the Mangakahia River valley past Pakotai and almost to Waipoua Forest. It includes the Hen and Chicken Islands and the Poor Knights Islands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Te Uri-o-Hau</span> Māori iwi in New Zealand

Te Uri-o-Hau is a Māori iwi (tribe) based around New Zealand's Kaipara Harbour. It is both an independent iwi and a hapū (sub-tribe) of the larger Ngāti Whātua iwi, alongside Ngāti Whātua-o-Ōrākei, Te Roroa and Te Taoū. Its rohe includes Dargaville, Maungaturoto, Mangawhai, Kaiwaka and Wellsford.

The Otamatea River is a river of the Northland Region. A short, wide river, It flows southwest and could be considered an arm of the northern Kaipara Harbour. The Otamatea is formed by the confluence of the Wairau and Kaiwaka rivers and the North Auckland Line crosses at this point. Almost 300 metres (330 yd) wide at its origin, the river widens to 1.8 kilometres (1.1 mi) by its mouth opposite Tinopai. Several other broad tidal creeks flow into the Otamatea, including Raepare Creek, Awaroa Creek, Takahoa Creek and the Whakaki River on the left bank and the Arapaoa River on the right.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">State Highway 12 (New Zealand)</span> Road in New Zealand

State Highway 12 is a New Zealand state highway in the far north of the North Island. It connects with SH 1 at both its northern and southern end. It runs close to the west coast of the Northland Region of New Zealand.

The Brynderwyn Range or Brynderwyn Hills is a ridge extending east–west across the Northland Peninsula in northern New Zealand some 60 kilometres south of Whangārei, from the southern end of Bream Bay in the east to the Otamatea River in the west. Though not of great height it is a notable feature of the Northland Region's geography, not least because it is traversed by State Highway 1, which is forced to follow a tortuous route for some distance as it descends to the south. The small settlement of Brynderwyn lies at the southern foot of the hills, at the junction of SH1 and SH12. There are different walks of up to 10 km giving views of the Whangārei Heads, Bream Bay and out to sea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pahi, New Zealand</span> Place in Northland Region, New Zealand

Pahi is a settlement in Northland, New Zealand. It is at the end of a peninsula in the Kaipara Harbour, bounded by inlets to the Paparoa Creek to the west and the Pahi River to the east. Paparoa is 6 km to the north, and Matakohe is 4 km to the north-west.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baylys Beach</span> Place in Northland Region, New Zealand

Baylys Beach is a beach and settlement on the west coast of Northland, New Zealand. The beach is on the northern side of the settlement, with Ripiro Beach on the southern side. Dargaville is 13 km (8.1 mi) to the east.

References

  1. https://www.kaipara.govt.nz/council/mayor-and-councillors-5 Kaipara District Council Mayor and Councillors[
  2. 1 2 "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  3. 1 2 3 "Subnational population estimates (RC, SA2), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand . Retrieved 25 October 2023. (regional councils); "Subnational population estimates (TA, SA2), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand . Retrieved 25 October 2023. (territorial authorities); "Subnational population estimates (urban rural), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand . Retrieved 25 October 2023. (urban areas)
  4. "Management Implementation of Memorandum Understanding Between Kaipara District Council and Te Uri O Hau, Ngati Whatua". Kaipara District Council. Kaipara District Council. Archived from the original on 14 October 2008.
  5. "Kaipara facing 'ecological crisis'". The New Zealand Herald . 24 June 2011. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
  6. Northland Inc. "Useful Links Maungaturoto Residents Association". Northland Inc. Northland Inc. Archived from the original on 13 January 2015. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  7. 1 2 3 "2023 Census national and subnational usually resident population counts and dwelling counts" (Microsoft Excel). Stats NZ - Tatauranga Aotearoa. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  8. 1 2 "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Kaipara District (003). 2018 Census place summary: Kaipara District
  9. 2018 Census place summary: Dargaville Ward
  10. 2018 Census place summary: West Coast-Central Ward
  11. 2018 Census place summary: Otamatea Ward
  12. "Open Letter to all Kaipara District Council residents and ratepayers" (PDF). Kaipara District Council. September 2012.
  13. Laird, Lindy (4 October 2019). "Kaipara District Council gets vote of confidence from Crown manager". The Northern Advocate.