Taihape | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 39°40.6′S175°47.8′E / 39.6767°S 175.7967°E | |
Country | New Zealand |
Region | Manawatū-Whanganui |
District | Rangitikei District |
Wards |
|
Community | Taihape Community |
Early settlement | pre-European |
Taihape | 1894 |
Named for | Shortened form of Ōtaihape. |
Electorates | |
Government | |
• Territorial Authority | Rangitikei District Council |
• Regional council | Horizons Regional Council |
Area | |
• Total | 4.93 km2 (1.90 sq mi) |
Population (June 2023) [2] | |
• Total | 1,800 |
• Density | 370/km2 (950/sq mi) |
Postcode | 4720 |
Area code | 06 |
Taihape is in the Rangitikei District of the North Island of New Zealand. It serves a large rural community. State Highway 1, which runs North to South through the centre of the North Island, passes through the town.
The Taihape region was originally inhabited by Māori. These iwi (tribes) still live in the area. The first record of a European to the region is William Colenso's visit in 1845. In 1884, the surveyor's party for the Main Trunk railway line cut a rough track through the district.
The town was founded in 1894, when European settlers arrived from Canterbury in the South Island. The site of the town was a small natural clearing in dense native bush, which the first settlers set about clearing. Many of the original families have descendants still living in the area. The settlement was first called Hautapu after the local river, then Otaihape ("the place of Tai the Hunchback"), and finally Taihape. [3]
Before the establishment of the railway, the bulk of farming produce (wool) had to be transported east by horse and bullock cart to Napier, from where it was exported. Until the establishment of roads and railways in the early 1900s, Taihape, like other rural towns, remained largely an isolated pioneer settlement.
Taihape developed as a key railway and transport town, reaching its peak of population and activity during the heyday of the 1950s and 1960s. The town declined during the downturn of the 1980s and today it is largely a refreshment stop for travellers and a service point for the local farming community.
Taihape is home of the annual Gumboot Day, first celebrated on 9 April 1985. This festival was devised by local business people who decided to capitalise on its rural image. Taihape's association with gumboots is marked by a large sculpture of a gumboot positioned prominently on the edge of town. Local business owners commissioned the New Zealand sculptor Jeff Thomson to produce the oversized gumboot using his signature material, corrugated iron. [4] Entertainer John Clarke used Taihape as a location for his Fred Dagg comedy persona.
There are five marae in the Taihape area, where local iwi and hapū meet:
In October 2020, the Government committed $836,930 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade a cluster of 7 marae, including Opaea Marae and Raketapauma Marae, creating 95 jobs. It also committed a further $239,367 towards Raketapauma Marae and another marae, creating 34 jobs. [5]
Taihape is a rural supply town and at its peak during the 1960s, was the main railway and transport hub for the surrounding farming community. Much of its economic activity revolved around the railway and rural communities. A major decline occurred in the 1980s due to a restructure and electrification of the railway system and a general downturn in the farming sector.
In recent years and with the advent of major tourist attractions, Taihape is now experiencing an upturn in local commerce. Its location on the North Island Main Trunk railway and on State Highway 1 has ensured its economic survival. Taihape's main claim to fame is as the "Gumboot Capital of the World", and it attracts large numbers of people to the annual gumboot-throwing contest.
Taihape is near the confluence of the Hautapu and Rangitikei rivers about 500 m (1500 ft) above sea level. It lies in a sheltered valley among the high country of the central North Island, close to the Rangitikei River and the Ruahine Ranges. It is surrounded by fertile high country ideal for sheep and deer farming and its location close to the mountains, rivers and lakes has made it an important service hub for hunting and outdoor tourism. The town is located at the southern edge of the volcanic plateau.
Transport routes in and out of Taihape have improved over the years and what were once twisting and treacherous roads through the high country are now easy and fast deviations through the hills to Mangaweka in the south and Waiouru to the north. Taihape's climate is temperate. There is significant rainfall throughout the year in Taihape. According to the Köppen climate classification, this climate is classified as oceanic climate (Cfb). The average annual temperature is 11.5 °C and about 953 mm of precipitation falls annually. [6]
Climate data for Taihape, elevation 433 m (1,421 ft), (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1911–present) | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 33.5 (92.3) | 33.0 (91.4) | 30.3 (86.5) | 26.0 (78.8) | 23.0 (73.4) | 24.1 (75.4) | 19.6 (67.3) | 21.5 (70.7) | 24.0 (75.2) | 25.0 (77.0) | 30.0 (86.0) | 30.0 (86.0) | 33.5 (92.3) |
Mean maximum °C (°F) | 28.6 (83.5) | 28.6 (83.5) | 26.6 (79.9) | 23.1 (73.6) | 19.8 (67.6) | 17.1 (62.8) | 16.1 (61.0) | 16.5 (61.7) | 19.1 (66.4) | 21.6 (70.9) | 24.4 (75.9) | 26.5 (79.7) | 29.7 (85.5) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 23.4 (74.1) | 23.7 (74.7) | 21.2 (70.2) | 17.6 (63.7) | 14.6 (58.3) | 11.9 (53.4) | 11.3 (52.3) | 12.2 (54.0) | 14.2 (57.6) | 16.2 (61.2) | 18.6 (65.5) | 21.3 (70.3) | 17.2 (62.9) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | 16.9 (62.4) | 17.0 (62.6) | 14.7 (58.5) | 11.6 (52.9) | 9.1 (48.4) | 7.0 (44.6) | 6.4 (43.5) | 7.1 (44.8) | 9.1 (48.4) | 11.0 (51.8) | 12.9 (55.2) | 15.5 (59.9) | 11.5 (52.8) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 10.4 (50.7) | 10.3 (50.5) | 8.1 (46.6) | 5.7 (42.3) | 3.6 (38.5) | 2.1 (35.8) | 1.4 (34.5) | 2.1 (35.8) | 4.0 (39.2) | 5.7 (42.3) | 7.1 (44.8) | 9.7 (49.5) | 5.9 (42.5) |
Mean minimum °C (°F) | 3.3 (37.9) | 3.4 (38.1) | 1.3 (34.3) | −1.1 (30.0) | −2.6 (27.3) | −4.1 (24.6) | −4.8 (23.4) | −3.5 (25.7) | −2.6 (27.3) | −0.8 (30.6) | 0.2 (32.4) | 2.9 (37.2) | −5.3 (22.5) |
Record low °C (°F) | −0.1 (31.8) | −1.3 (29.7) | −2.8 (27.0) | −3.6 (25.5) | −6.7 (19.9) | −7.5 (18.5) | −9.1 (15.6) | −6.1 (21.0) | −5 (23) | −5.1 (22.8) | −2.2 (28.0) | −1.3 (29.7) | −9.1 (15.6) |
Average rainfall mm (inches) | 68.4 (2.69) | 54.5 (2.15) | 55.3 (2.18) | 92.2 (3.63) | 75.9 (2.99) | 88.0 (3.46) | 92.0 (3.62) | 85.5 (3.37) | 84.7 (3.33) | 92.5 (3.64) | 77.3 (3.04) | 81.4 (3.20) | 947.7 (37.3) |
Source: NIWA [7] [8] |
Taihape covers 4.93 km2 (1.90 sq mi) [1] and had an estimated population of 1,800 as of June 2023, [2] with a population density of 365 people per km2. Population peaked at around 3,500 in the late 1960s, but declined in parallel with many other rural towns after that time.
Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
---|---|---|
2006 | 1,839 | — |
2013 | 1,575 | −2.19% |
2018 | 1,716 | +1.73% |
Source: [9] |
Taihape had a population of 1,716 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 141 people (9.0%) since the 2013 census, and a decrease of 123 people (−6.7%) since the 2006 census. There were 684 households, comprising 855 males and 861 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.99 males per female. The median age was 40.2 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 369 people (21.5%) aged under 15 years, 297 (17.3%) aged 15 to 29, 741 (43.2%) aged 30 to 64, and 309 (18.0%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 69.1% European/Pākehā, 47.9% Māori, 4.4% Pacific peoples, 3.7% Asian, and 1.2% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 10.1, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 45.1% had no religion, 37.9% were Christian, 5.4% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.3% were Hindu, 0.5% were Muslim, 0.2% were Buddhist and 0.9% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 117 (8.7%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 369 (27.4%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $27,100, compared with $31,800 nationally. 144 people (10.7%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 684 (50.8%) people were employed full-time, 243 (18.0%) were part-time, and 24 (1.8%) were unemployed. [9] [2]
Taihape Railway Station was an important railway stop on the North Island Main Trunk line, with a marshalling yard and locomotive depot until the late 1970s.
There were many railway houses situated along the length of Mataroa Road; now only three remain. At one time Taihape had two lodges of the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes. One of the lodges was named Kaikoura Lodge No 226 (after the local Kaikoura River) this lodge survived until 2007. The lodge once had its own lodge rooms. The former railways house painted purple located on the highway travelling south into Taihape was once one of the two Buffaloes halls. The lodge in Taihape once boasted a large membership due in part to the numbers of Railways and Post Office staff stationed in the town.
In 1999 Tranz Rail demolished the historic Taihape Railway Station. [10] The Refreshment Rooms still stand on the former station platform, as do the old goods shed and locomotive depot compound at the south end of the rail yard. After a long period of fund-raising by Rotary, a loco turntable was re-purchased and installed in the station yard, so that special trains can run to Taihape and turn around for the return run.
As part of the Rangitikei District, the current Mayor of Rangitikei since 2013 is Andy Watson. [11]
Taihape is the main town in the Taihape ward of the Rangitikei District Council, which elects three of the eleven district councillors. The three councillors of the Taihape ward are Richard Aslett, Angus Gordon and Ruth Rainey. [12] The mayor and councillors are all due for re-election in October 2016. [13]
Taihape, like the rest of the Rangitikei District, is located in the general electorate of Rangitīkei and in the Māori electorate of Te Tai Hauāuru. [14] Rangitīkei is a safe National Party seat since the 1938 election with the exception of 1978–1984 when it was held by Bruce Beetham of the Social Credit Party. Since 2011 it is held by Ian McKelvie. [15]
Te Tai Hauāuru is a more unstable seat, having been held by three different parties since 1996, i.e. New Zealand First, the Māori Party and the Labour Party. [16] Since 2014 it is held by Adrian Rurawhe of the Labour Party. [17]
Taihape Area School is a co-educational state area school for Year 1 to 13 students, [18] [19] with a roll of 237 as of February 2024. [20] The school was established in 2005 through the amalgamation of Taihape's primary and secondary schools due to the declining rolls at both schools. [21]
St Joseph's School, also located in Taihape, is a co-educational state-integrated Catholic primary school for Year 1 to 8 students. [22] with a roll of 98. [23] The school was established in 1916. [24]
Te Kūiti is a town in the north of the King Country region of the North Island of New Zealand. It lies at the junction of State Highways 3 and 30 and on the North Island Main Trunk railway, 80 kilometres (50 mi) south of Hamilton. The town promotes itself as the sheep shearing capital of the world and is host to the annual New Zealand National Shearing Championships.
Coromandel, also called Coromandel Town to distinguish it from the wider district, is a town on the Coromandel Harbour, on the western side of the Coromandel Peninsula, which is in the North Island of New Zealand. It is 75 kilometres east of the city of Auckland, although the road between them, which winds around the Firth of Thames and Hauraki Gulf coasts, is 190 km long. The population was 1,930 as of June 2023.
Taumarunui is a small town in the King Country of the central North Island of New Zealand. It is on an alluvial plain set within rugged terrain on the upper reaches of the Whanganui River, 65 km south of Te Kūiti and 55 km west of Tūrangi. It is under the jurisdiction of Ruapehu District and Manawatū-Whanganui region.
Tokomaru Bay is a small beachside community on the remote East Coast of New Zealand's North Island. It is 91 km north of Gisborne, on State Highway 35, and close to Mount Hikurangi. The district was originally known as Toka-a-Namu, which refers to the abundance of sandflies. Over the years the name was altered to Tokomaru Bay.
Bulls is a town in the Rangitikei District of New Zealand. It is in a fertile farming area at the junction of State Highways 1 and 3, 28 km (17 mi) northwest of Palmerston North. According to a June 2023 Statistics New Zealand estimate, Bulls has a population of 2,210 inhabitants.
Ōtorohanga is a north King Country town in the Waikato region in the North Island of New Zealand. It is located 53 kilometres (33 mi) south of Hamilton and 18 kilometres (11 mi) north of Te Kūiti, on the Waipā River. It is a service town for the surrounding dairy-farming district. It is recognised as the "gateway" to the Waitomo Caves and as the "Kiwiana Town" of New Zealand. Until 2007, Ōtorohanga held a yearly 'Kiwiana Festival.'
Te Puke is a town located 18 kilometres southeast of Tauranga in the Western Bay of Plenty of New Zealand. It is particularly well known for the cultivation of Kiwifruit.
Murupara is a town in the Whakatāne District and Bay of Plenty Region of New Zealand's North Island. The town is in an isolated part of the region between the Kaingaroa Forest and Te Urewera protected area, on the banks of the Rangitaiki River, 65 kilometres southeast of Rotorua. Indigenous Māori also make up over 90% of the population.
Ngongotahā is a small settlement on the western shores of Lake Rotorua in the North Island of New Zealand. It is located 10 km (6.2 mi) northwest of the Rotorua central business district, and is considered as a suburb of Rotorua. It is part of the Rotorua functional urban area as defined by Statistics New Zealand. Ngongotahā has a population of 5,230 as of June 2023.
Tolaga Bay is both a bay and small town on the East Coast of New Zealand's North Island located 45 kilometres northeast of Gisborne and 30 kilometres south of Tokomaru Bay.
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 Ōtorohanga District 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). Te Motu Island is located in the harbour.
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.
Marton is a town in the Rangitikei district of the Manawatū-Whanganui region of New Zealand's North Island. It is situated 35 kilometres southeast of Whanganui and 40 kilometres northwest of Palmerston North.
The Rangitikei District is a territorial authority district located primarily in the Manawatū-Whanganui region in the North Island of New Zealand, although a small part, the town of Ngamahanga, lies in the Hawke's Bay Region. It is located in the southwest of the island, and follows the catchment area of the Rangitīkei River.
Rātana Pā, or Ratana Community, is a town in the North Island of New Zealand, near Whanganui and Marton in the Manawatū-Whanganui region. The locality was the farm of Tahupōtiki Wiremu Rātana, the founder of a Māori religious and political movement, and the settlement developed in the 1920s as followers came to see Rātana. It continues as the centre of the Rātana Church. Due to the importance of the Rātana movement in New Zealand politics, leading New Zealand politicians often attend annual gatherings at Rātana Pā.
Te Teko is a small inland town along the banks of the Rangitaiki River in the Bay of Plenty region of New Zealand's North Island.
Manakau is a settlement situated in the Horowhenua District, located at the boundary of the Manawatū-Whanganui and Wellington regions of New Zealand's North Island. It lies 8 km north of Ōtaki and 12 km south of Levin, and is connected to both via State Highway 1, which skirts Manakau's western edge. The township is situated 5 km inland from the coast of the Tasman Sea.
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.
Moawhango is a rural community in the northern part of Rangitikei District of the Manawatū-Whanganui region of New Zealand's North Island. It is situated 19 km north of Taihape and 91 km northeast of Marton. Nearby Moawhango are located Moawhango River and Lake Moawhango.
Tuai is a village and rural community located around Lake Whakamarino, in the Wairoa District of the Hawke's Bay Region, on New Zealand's North Island.