Te Anau

Te Anau is a town in the Southland region of the South Island of New Zealand. In Māori, Te-Anau means the Place of the Swirling Waters.[3] It is on the eastern shore of Lake Te Anau in Fiordland. Te Anau is 155 kilometres north of Invercargill and 171 kilometres to the southwest of Queenstown (via state highway 6). Manapouri lies 21 kilometres to the south. Te Anau lies at the southern end of the Milford Road, (State Highway 94) 117 kilometres to the south of Milford Sound.

Te Anau
Coordinates: 45°25′S 167°43′E
CountryNew Zealand
RegionSouthland
Territorial authoritySouthland District
WardMararoa Waimea Ward
Government
 • Territorial AuthoritySouthland District Council
 • Regional councilSouthland Regional Council
Area
[1]
 • Total5.53 km2 (2.14 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2023)[2]
 • Total3,060
 • Density550/km2 (1,400/sq mi)
Postcode(s)
9600
Area code03

History

The first Europeans (C.J. Nairn and W.J. Stephen) to visit the lake were led by Māori guides in 1852. The lake was formally surveyed first in 1863.[4] The township was surveyed in 1893. This was soon after the Milford Track opened. The town only really started to grow after the opening of the Homer Tunnel and road route to Milford in 1953.[5]

Demographics

Te Anau covers 5.53 km2 (2.14 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 2,970 as of June 2022,[6] with a population density of 455 people per km2.

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
19711,642—    
19762,384+7.74%
19812,610+1.83%
19862,518−0.72%
19912,604+0.67%
19961,785−7.27%
20011,857+0.79%
20061,935+0.83%
20132,001+0.48%
20182,538+4.87%
Populations before 2006 are for a slightly smaller area.
Source: [7][8]

Te Anau had a population of 2,538 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 537 people (26.8%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 603 people (31.2%) since the 2006 census. There were 987 households. There were 1,263 males and 1,278 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.99 males per female. The median age was 39.4 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 441 people (17.4%) aged under 15 years, 453 (17.8%) aged 15 to 29, 1,221 (48.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 423 (16.7%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 82.9% European/Pākehā, 8.4% Māori, 1.1% Pacific peoples, 11.8% Asian, and 3.8% other ethnicities (totals add to more than 100% since people could identify with multiple ethnicities).

The proportion of people born overseas was 25.2%, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people objected to giving their religion, 58.9% had no religion, 30.6% were Christian, 1.4% were Hindu, 0.5% were Muslim, 0.7% were Buddhist and 2.1% had other religions.

Statue of explorer Quintin MacKinnon on Lakefront Drive with Lake Te Anau in the background.

Of those at least 15 years old, 387 (18.5%) people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 354 (16.9%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $33,900, compared with $31,800 nationally. 249 people (11.9%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 1,287 (61.4%) people were employed full-time, 345 (16.5%) were part-time, and 18 (0.9%) were unemployed.[8]

Whitestone

Whitestone is a statistical area which surrounds Te Anau and covers 91.17 km2 (35.20 sq mi).[1] It had an estimated population of 700 as of June 2022,[6] with a population density of 7.7 people per km2.

Historical population for Whitestone
YearPop.±% p.a.
2006378—    
2013540+5.23%
2018618+2.74%
Source: [9]

Whitestone had a population of 618 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 78 people (14.4%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 240 people (63.5%) since the 2006 census. There were 231 households. There were 315 males and 303 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.04 males per female. The median age was 48.9 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 108 people (17.5%) aged under 15 years, 81 (13.1%) aged 15 to 29, 309 (50.0%) aged 30 to 64, and 120 (19.4%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 96.1% European/Pākehā, 10.2% Māori, 0.0% Pacific peoples, 1.9% Asian, and 1.9% other ethnicities (totals add to more than 100% since people could identify with multiple ethnicities).

The proportion of people born overseas was 14.1%, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people objected to giving their religion, 60.7% had no religion, 33.5% were Christian, 0.5% were Buddhist and 0.0% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 111 (21.8%) people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 90 (17.6%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $43,600, compared with $31,800 nationally. 132 people (25.9%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 318 (62.4%) people were employed full-time, 99 (19.4%) were part-time, and 0 (0.0%) were unemployed.[9]

Economy
Te Anau

Tourism and farming are the predominant economic activities in the area. Lying as it does at the borders of Fiordland National Park, it is the gateway to a wilderness area famed for tramping and spectacular scenery. Many tourists come to Te Anau to visit the famous nearby fiords Milford Sound / Piopiotahi and Doubtful Sound / Patea. Visitors to the area also partake in activities such as kayaking, cycling, jet boat riding, fishing and hunting, farm tours and seaplane/helicopter sightseeing. In 2014, readers of New Zealand's Wilderness magazine voted Te Anau as the best location in New Zealand for tramping (hiking) opportunities.[10] The town has a wide range of accommodation, with over 4,000 beds available in summer.[11]

Geography
A statue of a Takahe, located in central Te Anau (2023)

Lake Te Anau is the largest lake in the South Island and within New Zealand second only to Lake Taupō. Rising on the west side of Lake Te Anau, the Kepler and Murchison mountain ranges are evident from most of Te Anau. Many species of bird life are also found locally. The Department of Conservation office in Te Anau is active in protecting endangered native birds[12]

Attractions

Fiordland vintage machinery museum

The Fiordland vintage machinery museum has, in its collection, displays of Te Anau's early history, a blacksmith shop, 60 working tractors, road graders, motor bikes and Te Anau's first school building.[13][14]

Tramping

The town is often used as a base for trampers undertaking the Milford Track and the Kepler Track, the latter being a 4-day loop from Te Anau.[15][16]

Kepler Challenge

Te Anau hosts the Kepler Challenge in early December each year.[17]

Glow worm caves
Jetty overlooking Lake Te Anau, New Zealand.

A local attraction is the Te Ana-au Caves across Lake Te Anau from the town. The caves include an underground glowworm grotto, which can be viewed from a punt during daily guided tours.[18]

Te Anau bird sanctuary

The Te Anau bird sanctuary or Punanga Manu o Te Anau is located on the southern shore of Lake Te Anau. it is possible to see takahē, kaka, Antipodes Island parakeets, whio and other native birds.[19][20]

Lake2Lake trail

The Lake2Lake trail is a cycle trail that starts at Te Anau and follows the Waiau river to Lake Manapouri. The trail is 28.5 kilometres long.[21][22]

Amenities

Fiordland Community Events Centre

The RealNZ Fiordland Community Events Centre has a 300 square metre climbing wall, bouldering wall, indoor courts for sports such as netball, basketball, volleyball, badminton. It also has a stage and meeting rooms.[23]

Te Anau golf club

The Te Anau golf club is located at 169 Golf Course Road and the 18 hole golf course overlooks Lake Te Anau.[24]

Perenuka mountain bike park

The mountain bike park has a range of trails. It is located at 2 Sinclair road.[25]

Fiordland community swimming pool

The Fiordland community swimming pool is a 25 metre heated indoor pool. It is located on Howden Street.[26]

Education

Fiordland College is a co-educational secondary school for years 7 to 13[27] with a roll of 293 students as of April 2023.[28]. The college was established in 1976.[29]

Te Anau School - Te Kura o Te Anau is a co-educational contributing primary school for years 1 to 6[30] with a roll of 285 students as of April 2023.[28]. The school first opened in 1937.[31]

Transport

Te Anau is served by Te Anau Airport which is 15 km (9.3 mi) south of the town on State Highway 95. It was proposed in 2016 to develop the airport in order to enable commercial flights in from Christchurch in order to boost tourism.[32]

State Highway 94 approaches the town from the east and is the most important corridor connecting Te Anau and its surrounds to the rest of the South Island highway network. SH94 also connects through to Milford sound.

There are a number of private bus operators that connect Te Anau to; Invercargill, Queenstown, smaller nearby towns, and various trailheads or tourist attractions in the area. Timetables are often seasonal with more in summer and less in winter. There are also a large number of buses that travel through Te Anau while going between Queenstown and Milford Sound as a part of one-day package experiences.

The Southern Scenic Route, a signposted route travelling on a number of different State Highways and local roads travels through Te Anau.

Daylight savings

Te Anau proposed to make daylight savings permanent in the town in 2021. This would give tourists an extra hour to see the sights.[33][34] Locals propose to call this "Te Anau time".[35][36]

References
  1. "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  2. "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. "Community History - Te Anau and Manapouri". www.teanau.net.nz. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
  4. "Lake Te Anau | lake, New Zealand". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
  5. "Te Anau | NZHistory, New Zealand history online". nzhistory.govt.nz. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
  6. "Population estimate tables - NZ.Stat". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
  7. Taonga, New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu. "Town populations in Southland, 1891–2013". teara.govt.nz. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  8. "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Te Anau (357500). 2018 Census place summary: Te Anau
  9. "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Whitestone (357600). 2018 Census place summary: Whitestone
  10. Southland District Council News
  11. "Te Anau". New Zealand on the Web Limited. Retrieved 1 May 2013.
  12. Southland Times
  13. "Fiordland Vintage Machinery Museum". Fiordland Vintage Machinery Museum. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  14. "Where the Travel Guides went in Fiordland". NZ Herald. 21 May 2023. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  15. "Kepler Track". www.doc.govt.nz. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
  16. "Milford Track". www.doc.govt.nz. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
  17. "Kepler Challenge & Luxmore Grunt | teanauevents.co.nz". teanauevents.co.nz. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
  18. "Te Anau Glow Worm Caves".
  19. "Punanga Manu o Te Anau/Te Anau Bird Sanctuary". www.doc.govt.nz. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
  20. "Stop a while: Why Te Anau is more than just a launching pad". NZ Herald. 19 May 2023. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
  21. "Explore our Trails". Fiordland Trails Trust. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
  22. "Lake2Lake Cycle Trail: relax on one of New Zealand's most stunning rides". NZ Herald. 19 May 2023. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
  23. "Facilities". Fiordland Community Events Centre. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  24. "Te Anau Golf Club". southlandnz.com. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  25. "Perenuka Mountain Bike Park". southlandnz.com. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  26. "IAppDesktop". southlandapp.nz. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  27. Education Counts: Fiordland College
  28. "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  29. "About Fiordland Collage". Fiordland College. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  30. Education Counts: Te Anau School
  31. McDougall, Nicci (27 November 2012). "Pupils old and new celebrate 75 years". Southland Times.
  32. "'Developing Te Anau, Manapouri, Invercargill key to Southland's tourism future' - symposium". Stuff. 22 July 2016. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  33. "Te Anau locals want daylight savings time to stay". RNZ. 20 September 2021. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  34. "Daylight saving: Fiordland tourist town Te Anau decides to stay in 'summer time' forever". NZ Herald. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  35. "Fiordland tourist town of Te Anau to move into daylight saving for good". Newshub. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  36. "New marketing ideas to lift visitor numbers to Fiordland include permanently expanding daylight hours". Stuff. 19 September 2021. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
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