Wairau Valley

Last updated

Wairau Valley
Wairau Valley Tavern - panoramio.jpg
Wairau Valley Tavern
Wairau Valley
Coordinates: 41°33′56″S173°31′44″E / 41.56556°S 173.52889°E / -41.56556; 173.52889
CountryNew Zealand
Region Marlborough
Ward
  • Wairau-Awatere General Ward
  • Marlborough Māori Ward
Electorates
Government
 • Territorial Authority Marlborough District Council
 •  Marlborough District Mayor Nadine Taylor
 •  Kaikōura MP Stuart Smith
 •  Te Tai Tonga MP Tākuta Ferris
Area
[1]
 • Total4,177.50 km2 (1,612.94 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2023) [2]
 • Total2,200
 • Density0.53/km2 (1.4/sq mi)

Wairau Valley is the valley of the Wairau River in Marlborough, New Zealand and also the name of the main settlement in the upper valley. State Highway 63 runs through the valley. The valley opens onto the Wairau Plain, where Renwick and Blenheim are sited. [3] [4] The Alpine–Wairau Fault runs along the length of the valley. [5]

Contents

Wairauite is an iron-cobalt alloy which is named after the valley. [6]

History and culture

European settlement

J. S. Cotterell surveyed the Wairau Valley in November 1842, and reported it contained rich land. [7] Settlers from Nelson, led by Arthur Wakefield, tried to take possession of the land but the Ngāti Toa, led by Te Rauparaha and Te Rangihaeata objected. The dispute escalated into the Wairau Affray at Tuamarina on 23 June 1843, in which 22 settlers and four Māori were killed. An enquiry held in 1844 by Governor Robert FitzRoy decided that the settlers were in the wrong. [8]

In November 1846, Nelson farmers Nathaniel Morse and John Cooper drove sheep into the Wairau valley [9] and established settlements. Governor Sir George Grey purchased the land in the same year, but legal title to the land for the settlers was sorted out later. [10]

In the 1855 Wairarapa earthquake, the eastern end of the Wairau valley subsided by over a metre. [11]

Marae

Parerarua Marae is located in Wairau Valley. It is a marae (meeting ground) of Ngāti Rārua and includes the Parerarua wharenui (meeting house). [12] [13]

In October 2020, the Government committed $246,418 from the Provincial Growth Fund towards renovating the marae, creating an estimated 7 jobs. [14]

Demographics

Wairau Valley town is described by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement. It covers 3.50 km2 (1.35 sq mi) [1] and had an estimated population of 270 as of June 2023, [15] with a population density of 77 people per km2. It is part of the larger Upper Wairau statistical area.

Historical population for the settlement
YearPop.±% p.a.
2006180—    
2013210+2.23%
2018231+1.92%
Source: [16]
Wairau Valley Wairau Valley - Marlborough.jpg
Wairau Valley

Wairau Valley town had a population of 231 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 21 people (10.0%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 51 people (28.3%) since the 2006 census. There were 96 households, comprising 108 males and 123 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.88 males per female. The median age was 47.4 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 39 people (16.9%) aged under 15 years, 36 (15.6%) aged 15 to 29, 108 (46.8%) aged 30 to 64, and 48 (20.8%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 96.1% European/Pākehā, 6.5% Māori, 2.6% Pasifika, and 1.3% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 63.6% had no religion, 23.4% were Christian and 3.9% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 33 (17.2%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 42 (21.9%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $29,300, compared with $31,800 nationally. 21 people (10.9%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 108 (56.2%) people were employed full-time, 33 (17.2%) were part-time, and 3 (1.6%) were unemployed. [16]

Upper Wairau

The statistical area of Upper Wairau covers 4,177.50 km2 (1,612.94 sq mi). [1] It had an estimated population of 2,200 as of June 2023, [2] with a population density of 0.53 people per km2.

Historical population for Upper Wairau
YearPop.±% p.a.
20061,692—    
20131,746+0.45%
20181,938+2.11%
Source: [17]

Upper Wairau had a population of 1,938 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 192 people (11.0%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 246 people (14.5%) since the 2006 census. There were 741 households, comprising 999 males and 939 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.06 males per female. The median age was 46.3 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 384 people (19.8%) aged under 15 years, 222 (11.5%) aged 15 to 29, 1,035 (53.4%) aged 30 to 64, and 300 (15.5%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 95.5% European/Pākehā, 6.3% Māori, 0.9% Pasifika, 0.9% Asian, and 1.9% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 16.9, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 56.8% had no religion, 32.8% were Christian, 0.2% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.5% were Buddhist and 1.9% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 339 (21.8%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 234 (15.1%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $40,300, compared with $31,800 nationally. 354 people (22.8%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 918 (59.1%) people were employed full-time, 270 (17.4%) were part-time, and 12 (0.8%) were unemployed. [17]

Education

Wairau Valley School is a coeducational full primary (years 1–8) school with a roll of 40 students as of February 2024. [18] [19] A school first opened in the Wairau valley in 1861. [20]

Climate

Climate data for Wairau Valley (1991–2020)
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)23.9
(75.0)		23.7
(74.7)		21.8
(71.2)		18.3
(64.9)		15.4
(59.7)		12.5
(54.5)		11.9
(53.4)		13.2
(55.8)		15.3
(59.5)		17.7
(63.9)		19.4
(66.9)		21.9
(71.4)		17.9
(64.2)
Daily mean °C (°F)18.1
(64.6)		17.7
(63.9)		15.7
(60.3)		12.8
(55.0)		10.2
(50.4)		7.6
(45.7)		6.8
(44.2)		8.2
(46.8)		10.2
(50.4)		12.3
(54.1)		14.0
(57.2)		16.3
(61.3)		12.5
(54.5)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)12.3
(54.1)		11.8
(53.2)		9.6
(49.3)		7.3
(45.1)		4.9
(40.8)		2.6
(36.7)		1.7
(35.1)		3.1
(37.6)		5.1
(41.2)		6.8
(44.2)		8.5
(47.3)		10.7
(51.3)		7.0
(44.7)
Average rainfall mm (inches)97.6
(3.84)		95.6
(3.76)		78.2
(3.08)		104.6
(4.12)		130.5
(5.14)		123.3
(4.85)		84.5
(3.33)		103.0
(4.06)		94.5
(3.72)		92.5
(3.64)		66.4
(2.61)		82.8
(3.26)		1,153.5
(45.41)
Source: NIWA [21]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marlborough District</span> District and unitary authority of New Zealand

Marlborough District or the Marlborough Region, commonly known simply as Marlborough, is one of the 16 regions of New Zealand, located on the northeast of the South Island. Marlborough is a unitary authority, both a district and a region. Marlborough District Council is based at Blenheim, the largest town. The unitary region has a population of 52,200.

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

South Waikato District is a local government district in the Waikato Region of the North Island of New Zealand. It is located between the cities of Hamilton to the north, Rotorua to the east, Taupō to the south and Ruapehu District to the west.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tikokino</span> Settlement in Hawkes Bay Region, New Zealand

Tikokino is a town in the Central Hawke's Bay District on the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand. It is located 20 kilometres (12 mi) northwest of Waipawa and 55 kilometres (34 mi) southwest of Hastings. The township is located on State Highway 50.

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

Renwick is a small town in Marlborough, New Zealand, close to the south bank of the Wairau River. It is located on State Highway 6, 12 kilometres (7 mi) west of Blenheim. Havelock is 31 km (19 mi) north. State Highway 63 runs southwest from Renwick through the Wairau River valley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Māhia Peninsula</span> Peninsula in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand

Māhia Peninsula is located on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island, in the Hawke's Bay region, between the towns of Wairoa and Gisborne.

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

Kawakawa is a small town in the Bay of Islands area of the Northland Region of New Zealand. Kawakawa developed as a service town when coal was found there in the 1860s, but coal mining ceased in the early 20th century. The economy is now based on farming. The town is named after the kawakawa shrub.

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

Moerewa is a small town in the Northland Region of the North Island of New Zealand. It is located close to the Bay of Islands five kilometres to the west of Kawakawa.

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

Opononi is a settlement on the south shore of Hokianga Harbour in Northland, New Zealand. State Highway 12 runs through Opononi. Ōmāpere is on the shore to the south of Opononi and Pakanae to the northeast.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arapuni</span> Settlement in Waikato, New Zealand

Arapuni is a rural town centre on the Waikato river in the South Waikato District of New Zealand. 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.

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nūhaka</span> Settlement in Hawkes Bay Region, New Zealand

Nūhaka is a small settlement in the northern Hawke's Bay Region of New Zealand's eastern North Island, lying on State Highway 2 between Wairoa and Gisborne. The road to Mahia turns off the highway at Nūhaka.

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

Whangaruru is a rural community and harbour on the east coast of Northland, New Zealand. Mokau, Helena Bay, Whakapara, Hikurangi and Whangarei are to the south and the Bay of Islands is to the northwest.

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

Tuamarina is a small town in Marlborough, New Zealand. State Highway 1 runs through the area. The Tuamarina River joins the Wairau River just south of the settlement. Picton is about 18 km to the north, and Blenheim is about 10 km to the south.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spring Creek, New Zealand</span> Town in Marlborough, New Zealand

Spring Creek is a small town in Marlborough, New Zealand. State Highway 1 runs past the settlement to the west, and the Wairau River flows past to the east. Picton is 22 km to the north, and Blenheim is 6 km to the south.

Grovetown is a small town in Marlborough, New Zealand. State Highway 1 runs past the settlement to the west, and the Wairau River flows past to the northeast. Spring Creek is about 2.5 km to the north, and Blenheim is about 3.5 km to the south. To the east is Grovetown Lagoon, an oxbow loop of the Wairau River. The settlement had a usual resident population of 357 at the 2018 New Zealand census.

Waitōtara is a town in South Taranaki, New Zealand. Waverley is 10 km to the north-west, and Whanganui is 34 km to the south-east. State Highway 3 passes through it. The Waitōtara River flows past the east side of the town.

Te Karaka is a small settlement inland from Gisborne, in the northeast of New Zealand's North Island. It is located in the valley of the Waipaoa River close to its junction with its tributary, the Waihora River. Te Karaka is located on State Highway 2, and is the largest settlement between Gisborne and Ōpōtiki in the Bay of Plenty.

Pātūtahi is a small settlement 15 kilometres from Gisborne, in the northeast of New Zealand's North Island. It is located in the valley of the Waipaoa River. From 1915 to 1931 Pātūtahi had a railway station on the Ngātapa Branch.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kai Iwi</span> Settlement in Manawatū-Whanganui, New Zealand

Kai Iwi is a rural community west of Whanganui in New Zealand's North Island. It lies close to SH 3, approximately halfway between Whanganui and Waitotara. The population centre is at Kai Iwi Beach, also called Mowhanau.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tuai</span> Settlement in Hawkes Bay Region, New Zealand

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.

References

Commons-logo.svg Media related to Wairau Valley at Wikimedia Commons

  1. 1 2 3 "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  2. 1 2 "Population estimate tables - NZ.Stat". Statistics New Zealand . Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  3. ↑ Peter Dowling, ed. (2004). Reed New Zealand Atlas. Reed Books. pp. map 59. ISBN   0-7900-0952-8.
  4. ↑ Roger Smith, GeographX (2005). The Geographic Atlas of New Zealand. Robbie Burton. pp. map 138. ISBN   1-877333-20-4.
  5. ↑ Marlborough Historical Society (2005). Click - A Captured Moment - Marlborough's Early Heritage. p. 16. ISBN   0-473-10475-X.
  6. ↑ "Mineral names – 2". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand .
  7. ↑ "Thomas Brunner, Nelson and the West Coast". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand .
  8. ↑ "The struggle to survive: 1840–1865". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand .
  9. ↑ McKinnon, Malcolm (13 July 2012). "Marlborough region - Grazing and farming". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand . Retrieved 21 August 2013.
  10. ↑ A. D. McIntosh, ed. (1940). Marlborough - A Provincial History. pp. 93, 131–134.
  11. ↑ "The 1855 Wairarapa earthquake". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand .
  12. ↑ "Te Kāhui Māngai directory". tkm.govt.nz. Te Puni Kōkiri.
  13. ↑ "Māori Maps". maorimaps.com. Te Potiki National Trust.
  14. ↑ "Marae Announcements" (Excel). growregions.govt.nz. Provincial Growth Fund. 9 October 2020.
  15. ↑ "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)
  16. 1 2 "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. 7023292.
  17. 1 2 "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Upper Wairau (306600). 2018 Census place summary: Upper Wairau
  18. ↑ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  19. ↑ Education Counts: Wairau Valley School
  20. ↑ A. D. McIntosh, p 340
  21. ↑ "CliFlo – National Climate Database : Wairau Valley, Mill Road Cws". NIWA. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.