Kaitaia
Coordinates: 35°6′45″S 173°15′46″E / 35.11250°S 173.26278°E / -35.11250; 173.26278
CountryNew Zealand
IslandNorth Island
RegionNorthland
Territorial authorityFar North District
WardTe Hiku
Electorates
Government
 • Territorial AuthorityFar North District Council
 • Regional councilNorthland Regional Council
Area
[1]
 • Total8.48 km2 (3.27 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2023)[2]
 • Total6,390
 • Density750/km2 (2,000/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+12 (NZST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+13 (NZDT)
Postcode(s)
0410
Area code09

Kaitaia (Māori: Kaitāia) is a town in the Far North District of New Zealand, at the base of the Aupōuri Peninsula, about 160 km northwest of Whangārei. It is the last major settlement on State Highway 1. Ahipara Bay, the southern end of Te Oneroa-a-Tōhē / Ninety Mile Beach, is 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) west.

The main industries are forestry and tourism. The population is 6,390 as of June 2023,[2] which makes it the second-largest town in the Far North District, after Kerikeri.

The name Kaitāia means 'ample food', kai being the Māori word for food.[3]

The Muriwhenua are a group of six northern Māori iwi occupying the northernmost part of the North Island surrounding Kaitaia.

History and culture

European settlement

The Kaitaia Mission Station was established between 1833 and 1834 after a series of visits by Church Missionary Society (CMS) representatives including Samuel Marsden, and at different times, Joseph Matthews and William Gilbert Puckey.[4] Puckey and Matthews had married two sisters, Matilda and Mary Ann Davis respectively, (daughters of Richard Davis, a lay missioner based at Waimate North). They formed a tight band, initially living together in raupo huts, and then in houses they built.

As Puckey and the sisters were fluent in Maori, (Puckey having arrived in New Zealand in 1819 with his father, William Puckey, and the Davis family in 1823), they spoke Maori when together, to help Joseph Matthews pick up the language. Both families grew and intermarried, forming the basis of the early Pākehā settler community. At one point, the Church Missionary Society decided that either Puckey or Matthews should move to a new location to the south to facilitate the spread of the word, but Nōpera Panakareao wrote a heartfelt letter to the CMS committee, pleading not to take away 'one of the two candlesticks'.

A landscape view of the southern part of Kaitaia taken on Okahu Road, the highest point in the town.

In February 1841, about 500 Maori were present at a CMS service.[5] In 1852 arguments developed between one chief and his tribe, however the impact of the missionaries meant that the old ways of settling disputes had passed.[6]

Richard Matthews, the brother of Rev. Joseph Matthews, arrived in the Bay of Islands in December 1835 and for a time, joined his brother in Kaitaia. Richard Matthews had been a lay missionary on the second voyage of HMS Beagle with Charles Darwin.[7] Richard Matthews served the CMS as a lay catechist at Kaitaia. In 1838 he married Johanna Blomfield, the sister of Mrs Martha Blomfield Clarke, whose husband George was a CMS missionary at Te Waimate mission. In 1840 Richard and Johanna Matthews helped set up a missionary station at Whanganui.[8]

There were plans to extend the Okaihau Branch railway to Kaitaia and construction was started in the 1920s, but with the line nearly complete to Rangiahua, a review in 1936 determined that the line would not be viable and construction was abandoned. The line terminated in Okaihau until it was closed on 1 November 1987. D 221, a steam tank locomotive, has been on static display at Centennial Park since 1967.[9]

Marae

There are five marae located within 10kms of Kaitāia

21st century

In October 2020, a fire occurred at the former Kaitaia Bowling Club on Matthews Avenue.[12] Alarms were raised at 6:01am on Friday. The fire was caused by an electrical fault that had sparked in the kitchen area on the upper floor, causing the northern half of the building to burn. The building, prior to the blaze, was used as a residential dwelling.

A few months later in March 2021, the building was set on fire again,[13] causing the entire building to set ablaze. Alarms were raised at around 2:30pm. Police suspected that the blaze was 'deliberately lit'. The building was demolished upon the closing of the property.

Demographics

Statistics New Zealand describes Kaitaia as a small urban area. It covers 8.48 km2 (3.27 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 6,390 as of June 2023,[2] with a population density of 754 people per km2.

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
20065,202—    
20134,887−0.89%
20185,871+3.74%
Source: [14]

Kaitaia had a population of 5,871 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 984 people (20.1%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 669 people (12.9%) since the 2006 census. There were 1,881 households, comprising 2,799 males and 3,072 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.91 males per female, with 1,590 people (27.1%) aged under 15 years, 1,179 (20.1%) aged 15 to 29, 2,196 (37.4%) aged 30 to 64, and 909 (15.5%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 49.9% European/Pākehā, 65.9% Māori, 7.9% Pacific peoples, 5.2% Asian, and 1.2% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 9.6, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Of those people who chose to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 36.7% had no religion, 41.5% were Christian, 10.4% had Māori religious beliefs, 1.0% were Hindu, 0.3% were Muslim, 0.7% were Buddhist and 1.2% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 348 (8.1%) people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 1,203 (28.1%) people had no formal qualifications. 201 people (4.7%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 1,452 (33.9%) people were employed full-time, 531 (12.4%) were part-time, and 483 (11.3%) were unemployed.[14]

Individual statistical areas
NameArea (km2)PopulationDensity (per km2)HouseholdsMedian ageMedian income
Kaitaia East5.272,38845376531.4 years$19,700[15]
Kaitaia West3.213,4831,0851,11632.9 years$19,700[16]
New Zealand37.4 years$31,800

Climate

Kaitaia has a humid subtropical climate (Cfbl) according to the Trewartha climate classification system or an oceanic climate (Cfb) according to Köppen system. Summers are usually warm, while winters are usually wet and mild. Precipitation is heavy year round in the form of rain, which peaks during the months of May - September.[17]

Climate data for Kaitaia
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 23.9
(75.0)		 24.6
(76.3)		 23.0
(73.4)		 20.9
(69.6)		 18.5
(65.3)		 16.4
(61.5)		 15.6
(60.1)		 15.8
(60.4)		 17.0
(62.6)		 18.1
(64.6)		 19.7
(67.5)		 21.9
(71.4)		 19.6
(67.3)
Daily mean °C (°F) 19.5
(67.1)		 20.0
(68.0)		 18.6
(65.5)		 17.0
(62.6)		 14.8
(58.6)		 12.8
(55.0)		 12.1
(53.8)		 12.2
(54.0)		 13.4
(56.1)		 14.5
(58.1)		 15.8
(60.4)		 17.9
(64.2)		 15.7
(60.3)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 15.1
(59.2)		 15.5
(59.9)		 14.2
(57.6)		 13.0
(55.4)		 11.1
(52.0)		 9.2
(48.6)		 8.5
(47.3)		 8.6
(47.5)		 9.7
(49.5)		 10.8
(51.4)		 11.9
(53.4)		 13.8
(56.8)		 11.8
(53.2)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 82.0
(3.23)		 92.5
(3.64)		 82.0
(3.23)		 97.7
(3.85)		 131.9
(5.19)		 149.1
(5.87)		 165.4
(6.51)		 140.0
(5.51)		 126.7
(4.99)		 97.8
(3.85)		 86.2
(3.39)		 99.6
(3.92)		 1,350.8
(53.18)
Source: NIWA Climate Data[17]

Transport

A photograph of the Te Ahu Centre, where the town library, information sites, and InterCity bus stops are.

InterCity operates a daily bus service to and from Auckland via Kerikeri.[18] Community Business & Environment Centre (CBEC) runs a service called Busabout to Ahipara, Mangonui and Pukenui.[19]

Kaitaia Airport has services from Auckland and is the only airport in the upper Far North District. Air New Zealand discontinued their services in April 2015.[20] Barrier Air has since taken over services to Auckland.[21]

Economy

Tourism

Kaitaia is one of the main centres in the Far North of New Zealand. It is near to popular tourist destinations such as Ahipara and is on State Highway 1 which leads up to Cape Reinga. The town's slogan is "Where journeys begin".[22]

An annual Snapper Surf Casting Competition is held in March, on Te Oneroa-a-Tōhē (Ninety Mile Beach) Snapper Bonanza Surf Casting Competition.

Forestry

The Aupouri Forest, to the North of Kaitaia, provides pine logs which are processed at the Juken Nissho Mill in Kaitaia.

Extraction of ancient swamp Kauri (Agathis australis), is a contentious industry.[23]

Agriculture, horticulture and viticulture

Kaitaia lies within the Awanui River catchment. The area supports dairy and dry stock farming, predominantly sheep and beef. Further north of Kaitaia, the avocado industry flourishes, with orchards dispersed throughout the immediate area.

Wine is a growing commodity. One of the largest vineyards in the area is the Karikari Estate.

Mānuka honey is another industry experiencing growth.[24]

Education

Kaitaia Primary School, Kaitaia Intermediate and Kaitaia College are the main primary, intermediate and secondary schools. The rolls are 281,[25] 205,[26] and 963,[27] respectively.

Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Pukemiro is a full primary (years 1-8) school[28] with a roll of 139. It is a Kura Kaupapa Māori school which teaches fully in the Māori language.

Pompallier School is a Catholic full primary (years 1-8) school with a roll of 159.[29]

Kaitaia Abundant Life School was a Christian composite school (years 1-13) with a roll of 127.[30] It was established in 1988 as a private primary school, and extended to secondary students in 1992. It became a state integrated school in 1996.[31] The school exited the state system at the end of Term 2, 2023. The school’s Trust believed that it was no longer possible to offer an education determined by their beliefs due to government and Ministry legislation, policy, and curriculum initiatives. These include: Gender neutral requirements, the Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Act 2022, and the curriculum’s requirements around relationship and sexuality guidelines.[32]

Oturu School is a primary school to the north east serving years 1-8, with a roll of 156.[33]

All these schools are co-educational. Rolls are as of April 2023.[34]

NorthTec polytechnic also has a campus in Kaitaia.[35]

Notable people

Notable people who have lived in Kaitaia:

References

  1. 1 2 "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  2. 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)
  3. ↑ "Welcome..." Archived from the original on 14 November 2009. Retrieved 8 February 2010.
  4. ↑ "Muriwhenua Land Report - The People and the Land" (PDF). Waitangi Tribunal. p. 48. Archived (PDF) from the original on 15 October 2008. Retrieved 3 September 2008.
  5. ↑ Matthews, Joseph. "The Church Missionary Gleaner, August 1841". A Church Mission in New Zealand. Adam Matthew Digital. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  6. ↑ "The Church Missionary Gleaner, October 1853". Kaitaia. Adam Matthew Digital. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  7. ↑ Darwin, Charles. Journal of a Voyage Round the World, 1831-36
  8. ↑ "Richard Matthews". Pre-1839 foreigners in NZ. Archived from the original on 23 February 2014.
  9. ↑ "Weka Pass Railway's page on D 221". Archived from the original on 27 September 2007.
  10. ↑ "Te Kāhui Māngai directory". tkm.govt.nz. Te Puni Kōkiri. Archived from the original on 22 June 2018. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
  11. ↑ "Māori Maps". maorimaps.com. Te Potiki National Trust. Archived from the original on 27 January 2018. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
  12. ↑ "Kaitaia's old bowling club burns". NZ Herald. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
  13. ↑ "Another fire at the old bowling club". NZ Herald. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
  14. 1 2 "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Kaitaia East (100700) and Kaitaia West (100800).
  15. ↑ 2018 Census place summary: Kaitaia East
  16. ↑ 2018 Census place summary: Kaitaia West
  17. 1 2 "Climate Data". NIWA. Archived from the original on 17 August 2012. Retrieved 2 November 2007.
  18. ↑ "InterCity (Kaitaia)". Archived from the original on 24 September 2016. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
  19. ↑ "Busabout North". Archived from the original on 17 June 2016. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
  20. ↑ "Air NZ ends Auckland to Kaitaia flights as new airline steps in". TVNZ ONE News. 28 April 2015. Archived from the original on 19 September 2016. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
  21. ↑ Peter de Graaf (13 February 2015). "New air service inbound at Kaitaia". Northern Advocate. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
  22. ↑ "Kia Ora: Kaitaia". New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018.
  23. ↑ "Buried treasure". New Zealand Geographic. Archived from the original on 27 January 2020. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  24. ↑ "Gold rush". New Zealand Geographic. Archived from the original on 24 May 2019. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  25. ↑ Education Counts: Kaitaia Primary
  26. ↑ Education Counts: Kaitaia Intermediate
  27. ↑ Education Counts: Kaitaia College
  28. ↑ Education Counts: Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Pukemiro
  29. ↑ Education Counts: Pompallier School
  30. ↑ Education Counts: Kaitaia Abundant Life School
  31. ↑ "Abundant Life School Profile" (DOC). Archived from the original on 14 October 2008. Retrieved 15 January 2008.
  32. ↑ "Education Report: Consultation on the cancellation of the integration agreement for Kaitaia Abundant Life School (238)" (PDF).
  33. ↑ Education Counts: Oturu School
  34. ↑ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  35. ↑ "Kaitaia". NorthTec. Archived from the original on 12 March 2010. Retrieved 4 March 2010.
  36. ↑ Harris, Jan. "Sophia Louisa Taylor". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
  37. ↑ "The sporting Yates family". National Library of New Zealand. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 25 December 2018.
  • Ramsay, Olwyn. In the Shadow of Maungataniwha. ISBN 0-473-07554-7
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