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Place in Taranaki Region, New Zealand
| Hāwera | |
|---|---|
 Hāwera from the Water Tower | |
| Coordinates: 39°35′36″S 174°16′42″E / 39.59333°S 174.27833°E / -39.59333; 174.27833 | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Taranaki Region |
| Territorial authority | South Taranaki District |
| Ward |
|
| Community | Te Hāwera Community |
| Established | 1866 |
| Electorates | |
| Government | |
| • Territorial Authority | South Taranaki District Council |
| • Regional council | Taranaki Regional Council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 25.18 km (9.72 sq mi) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 10,550 |
| • Density | 420/km (1,100/sq mi) |
| Postcode | 4610 |
Hāwera is the second-largest centre in the Taranaki region of New Zealand's North Island, with a population of 10,550. It is near the coast of the South Taranaki Bight. The origins of the town lie in a government military base that was established in 1866, and the town of Hāwera grew up around a blockhouse in the early 1870s.
Hāwera is 75 kilometres south of New Plymouth on State Highway 3 and 30 minutes' drive from Mount Taranaki. It is located on State Highway 45, known as Surf Highway 45 for its numerous surf beaches. State Highway 45 passes through Manaia, Ōpunake and Oakura en route to New Plymouth. Kaponga is a 20-minute drive to the north-west. The Marton–New Plymouth Line railway passes through Hāwera and has served the town since 1 August 1881, though it has been freight-only since the cancellation of the last railcar passenger service between Wellington and New Plymouth on 30 July 1977.
History
Pre-European history
The Māori-language name Hāwera means "burnt place"; it arose as a result of fighting between two local sub-tribes, which culminated in the setting ablaze of the sleeping whare (house) of the tribe under attack. An older Māori name was Tau-patatē, referring to the patatē or seven-finger tree Schefflera digitata. Spelled "Hawera" for most of its European history, a macron was added to the official name by the New Zealand Geographic Board in June 2019.
European settlement
The town's name meaning "burnt place" became apt when the town suffered extensive blazes in 1884, 1888, and 1912.
For this reason a large water tower was built in the centre of town to increase water pressure; and this became one of Taranaki's best-known landmarks (appearing, for example, on the cover of the 1974 telephone directory). After falling into disrepair the tower was closed to the public in 2001, but after an extensive restoration programme it opened again in 2004.
Marae
There are four marae in the Hāwera area:
- Ngātiki Pa, is affiliated with Taanga’oe Hapū of Hāmua and Hawe.
- Te Rangatapu Marae and its Aorangi meeting house are affiliated with the Ngāruahine hapū of Kanihi-Umutahi and Ōkahu-Inuāwai.
- Taiporohēnui Marae and its Whareroa meeting house are affiliated with the Ngāti Ruanui hapū of Hāmua and Hāpōtiki.
- Wharepuni Marae and its Tūpaia meeting house are affiliated with the Ngāti Ruanui hapū of Ngāti Tānewai and Ngāti Tūpaea.
In October 2020, the Government committed $1,479,479 from the Provincial Growth Fund to renovate Meremere Marae, Ketemarae Pā, Pariroa Marae and Taiporohēnui Marae, creating 35 jobs.
Demography
Hāwera covers 25.18 km (9.72 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 10,550 as of June 2024, with a population density of 419 people per km.
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 8,817 | — |
| 2013 | 9,126 | +0.49% |
| 2018 | 9,792 | +1.42% |
| Source: | ||
Hāwera had a population of 9,792 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 666 people (7.3%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 975 people (11.1%) since the 2006 census. There were 3,816 households, comprising 4,770 males and 5,025 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.95 males per female, with 2,043 people (20.9%) aged under 15 years, 1,767 (18.0%) aged 15 to 29, 4,071 (41.6%) aged 30 to 64, and 1,908 (19.5%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 78.8% European/Pākehā, 27.5% Māori, 1.9% Pacific peoples, 5.0% Asian, and 2.1% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 10.6, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 49.0% had no religion, 37.7% were Christian, 2.1% had Māori religious beliefs, 1.3% were Hindu, 0.6% were Muslim, 0.2% were Buddhist and 1.5% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 714 (9.2%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 2,208 (28.5%) people had no formal qualifications. 1,125 people (14.5%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 3,621 (46.7%) people were employed full-time, 996 (12.9%) were part-time, and 378 (4.9%) were unemployed.
| Name | Area (km) |
Population | Density (per km) |
Households | Median age | Median income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Egmont Showgrounds | 4.40 | 1,734 | 394 | 654 | 42.2 years | $33,900 |
| Turuturu | 4.33 | 1,893 | 437 | 726 | 36.2 years | $31,900 |
| King Edward Park | 1.08 | 1,521 | 1,408 | 588 | 40.2 years | $25,200 |
| Ramanui | 13.60 | 2,052 | 151 | 765 | 38.4 years | $27,500 |
| Hāwera Central | 1.78 | 2,592 | 1,456 | 1,083 | 41.3 years | $25,300 |
| New Zealand | 37.4 years | $31,800 |
Economy
Dairy Industry
The cornerstone of Hāwera's economy is the dairy industry. The Whareroa Dairy Factory, located approximately 4 km southwest of the township, was once the largest dairy-production site in the world. The complex is currently owned by Fonterra, having been built by the Kiwi Co-operative Dairies, whose original plant opened on the site in 1975.
During peak season, the complex employs around 1,000 staff members and processes up to 14 million litres of milk. The site also features a gas-fired power plant that supplies electricity and heat for dairy. Excess electricity from the plant is fed into the national power grid.
Cultural Attractions
Hāwera is home to the Tawhiti Museum. The museum is known for its handcrafted life-sized figures and scale models. Exhibits in the museum portray the cultural history and heritage of the region. The museum's displays include detailed recreations of local Māori pā sites. Exhibit provide educational insight into the historical lifestyles and structures of the indigenous community. The historical significance of such sites is exemplified by the Turuturu-Mokai complex, which is an archaeological treasure and provides a tangible connection to the region's past.
Education
Hāwera Primary School was established in 1875. It developed into a District High School in 1901. Hāwera High School opened as Hāwera Technical High School in 1919, and moved to a new site in 1921. The intermediate school opened in 1961. In October 2021, it was announced that Hāwera High School and Hāwera Intermediate would be closing at the end of 2022. A new, years 7–13 school, Te Paepae o Aotea, was created on the former Hāwera High School campus at the beginning of 2023.
The Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki has a campus in Hāwera, established in 1990.
Te Paepae o Aotea is a secondary school for years 7 to 13 with a roll of 902.
Hāwera Primary School, Ramanui School, Tawhiti School and Turuturu School are contributing primary (years 1–6) schools with rolls of 174, 61, 315 and 325 respectively. Hāwera Primary celebrated its 125th jubilee in 2000. Ramanui school celebrated its 50th jubilee in 2003.
Hāwera Christian School and St Joseph's School are state integrated full primary (years 1–8) schools with rolls of 44 and 213 respectively.
Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngati Ruanui is a full primary (years 1–8) school with a roll of 97. It is a Kura Kaupapa Māori school which teaches in the Māori language.
All these schools are coeducational. Rolls are as of August 2024.
Politics
Hāwera is in the South Taranaki district. After serving four terms as mayor of South Taranaki, Ross Dunlop did not stand in the 2019 election, and was replaced as mayor by District Councillor Phil Nixon.
Notable people
Main category: People from Hāwera- Aroha Awarau, journalist
- Michael Bent, rugby player
- Pat Booth, investigative journalist
- Chester Borrows, National Party Member of Parliament
- Cameron Brewer, Auckland councillor
- Alan Brough, actor and comedian
- Gayle Broughton, rugby union player
- Michael Campbell, professional golfer
- Tim Chadwick, artist and author
- Geoffrey Duncan Chisholm, surgeon
- Fanny Good (1860–1950), painter and botanical illustrator
- John Gildroy Grant, World War I Victoria Cross recipient
- Wayne Gould, populariser of sudoku
- Ben Hurley, comedian and cricket commentator
- Peter Ingram, cricket player
- Fiona Kidman, writer
- Nicola Kawana, actress
- Issac Luke, rugby league player
- John Mitchell, rugby union player and coach
- Ronald Hugh Morrieson, author
- Alan Stuart Paterson, cartoonist
- John Plumtree, rugby union player and coach
- Conrad Smith, All Black rugby union player
- Elijah Taylor, rugby league player
- Adine Wilson, Silver Ferns netballer
- Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, Māori Party member of parliament
Climate
| Climate data for Hawera (1991–2020 normals, extremes 2004–present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 30.7 (87.3) |
28.3 (82.9) |
26.2 (79.2) |
24.2 (75.6) |
21.4 (70.5) |
18.7 (65.7) |
19.0 (66.2) |
19.3 (66.7) |
20.0 (68.0) |
22.9 (73.2) |
23.4 (74.1) |
25.8 (78.4) |
30.7 (87.3) |
| Mean maximum °C (°F) | 25.8 (78.4) |
25.7 (78.3) |
24.8 (76.6) |
21.8 (71.2) |
19.4 (66.9) |
16.9 (62.4) |
16.1 (61.0) |
16.3 (61.3) |
18.3 (64.9) |
19.9 (67.8) |
21.7 (71.1) |
23.7 (74.7) |
26.7 (80.1) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 20.7 (69.3) |
21.3 (70.3) |
19.9 (67.8) |
17.6 (63.7) |
15.4 (59.7) |
13.2 (55.8) |
12.3 (54.1) |
13.0 (55.4) |
14.1 (57.4) |
15.5 (59.9) |
16.9 (62.4) |
19.2 (66.6) |
16.6 (61.9) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 16.7 (62.1) |
17.1 (62.8) |
15.7 (60.3) |
13.6 (56.5) |
11.6 (52.9) |
9.7 (49.5) |
8.7 (47.7) |
9.3 (48.7) |
10.6 (51.1) |
12.0 (53.6) |
13.2 (55.8) |
15.4 (59.7) |
12.8 (55.1) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 12.7 (54.9) |
12.8 (55.0) |
11.4 (52.5) |
9.6 (49.3) |
7.9 (46.2) |
6.2 (43.2) |
5.1 (41.2) |
5.6 (42.1) |
7.1 (44.8) |
8.5 (47.3) |
9.5 (49.1) |
11.7 (53.1) |
9.0 (48.2) |
| Mean minimum °C (°F) | 6.8 (44.2) |
6.6 (43.9) |
4.6 (40.3) |
2.4 (36.3) |
0.8 (33.4) |
−0.4 (31.3) |
−1.2 (29.8) |
−0.6 (30.9) |
0.6 (33.1) |
1.8 (35.2) |
2.9 (37.2) |
5.7 (42.3) |
−1.9 (28.6) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 4.1 (39.4) |
3.7 (38.7) |
0.3 (32.5) |
0.4 (32.7) |
−1.2 (29.8) |
−3.3 (26.1) |
−4.4 (24.1) |
−2.4 (27.7) |
−2.7 (27.1) |
−1.1 (30.0) |
−0.2 (31.6) |
3.5 (38.3) |
−4.4 (24.1) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 70.7 (2.78) |
60.7 (2.39) |
71.1 (2.80) |
104.7 (4.12) |
104.1 (4.10) |
116.6 (4.59) |
117.3 (4.62) |
105.2 (4.14) |
102.4 (4.03) |
105.9 (4.17) |
91.7 (3.61) |
98.9 (3.89) |
1,149.3 (45.24) |
| Source: NIWA | |||||||||||||
References
- ^ "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
- ^ "Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
- Because of differing oral traditions, translations such as "breath of fire" and "burning plains" have also been offered. See A.H. McLintock, ed. (1966), "HAWERA", An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand, retrieved 1 January 2008 – via Te Ara – The Encyclopaedia of New Zealand
- Elsdon Best. "Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand 1868–1961 Volume 40, 1907". Maori Forest Lore: being some Account of Native Forest Lore and Woodcraft, as also of many Myths, Rites, Customs, and Superstitions connected with the Flora and Fauna of the Tuhoe or Ure-wera District. National Library of New Zealand. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
- "Hāwera". NZGB Gazetteer | linz.govt.nz. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
- For a near-contemporary account of the damage these fires caused, see D. Nimmo Scott (c. 1895), Views of Hawera: before and after the fire, Hawera, : D. Nimmo Scott; a more recent one is Arthur Fryer; Nigel Ogle (ill.) (2003), Hawera's on fire, Hawera, : Hawera Historical Society. For details of Hawera's Fire Brigade, see Trevor N. Moore (1982), Hawera Fire Brigade, 1882–1982: a centennial history, Hawera, : The Brigade
- Craig Stevenson; Hugo Jackson, Hawera Water Tower Restoration (PDF), Contech, archived from the original (PDF) on 14 October 2008
- "Marae Announcements" (Excel). growregions.govt.nz. Provincial Growth Fund. 9 October 2020.
- ^ "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Egmont Showgrounds (221300), Turuturu (221600), King Edward Park (221700), Ramanui (221800) and Hawera Central (221900).
- 2018 Census place summary: Egmont Showgrounds
- 2018 Census place summary: Turuturu
- 2018 Census place summary: King Edward Park
- 2018 Census place summary: Ramanui
- 2018 Census place summary: Hawera Central
- "Largest dairy factory in the world", Te Ara
- The Whareroa Co-generation plant, www.toddenergy.co.nz
- "The man behind the models at Hāwera's Tawhiti Museum". Stuff. 16 April 2018. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
- For historical background and significance of the Turuturu-Mokai pā site, see: John Houston (1958), Turuturu-Mokai: historic reserve near Hawera: an historical survey, Hawera, : Hawera Star Print. Additionally, for contemporary Māori community structures, refer to: Gloria Kerehoma (1984), Commemorative centennial booklet, 1884–1984, Hawera, : Centennial Committee; Shore Print on Aotearoa Pa.
- Fryer, Arthur (1994), The Beginnings of Hawera High School, Hawera High School Jubilee Magazine, archived from the original on 14 October 2008
- School Info, Hawera Intermediate, archived from the original on 14 October 2008
- "New school for south Taranaki". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
- Campus Maps, Western Institute of Technology, archived from the original on 22 September 2008, retrieved 29 June 2008
- WITT History, Western Institute of Technology, archived from the original on 22 September 2008, retrieved 29 June 2008
- Education Counts: Te Paepae o Aotea
- ^ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
- "Jubilees & reunions – Hawera Primary School", Education Gazette New Zealand, 78 (10), 14 June 1999
- "Ramanui Primary School 50th Jubilee", Education Gazette New Zealand, 82 (5), 24 March 2003
- Persico, Christina (12 October 2019). "Phil Nixon wins South Taranaki mayoralty by large margin". Taranaki Daily News.
- "CliFlo – National Climate Database : Hawera Aws". NIWA. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
- "CliFlo -The National Climate Database (Agent number: 25222)". NIWA. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
External links
- Hāwera information page from the South Taranaki District Council
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| Seat: Hāwera | |||||||||
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