Whakamaru

Whakamaru /ˈfɑːkəˌmɑːruː/ is a town in the central region of the North Island of New Zealand. The Maori words 'whaka' and 'maru' literally mean to give shelter to, or safeguard.[3]

Whakamaru
Coordinates: 38.42°S 175.80°E / -38.42; 175.80
CountryNew Zealand
RegionWaikato region
DistrictTaupō District
WardMangakino-Pouakani Ward
Electorates
Government
 • Territorial AuthorityTaupō District Council
 • Regional councilWaikato Regional Council
Area
[1]
 • Total1.60 km2 (0.62 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2023)[2]
 • Total170
 • Density110/km2 (280/sq mi)

History

The Whakamaru supervolcano eruption (dated to 320–340,000 years ago) is the largest known eruption from the area known as the Taupo Volcanic Zone (TVZ) and means the town is located in the historic Whakamaru caldera.[4]

The name is a shortened version of Te Whakamarumarutanga o Kahukeke ("The Shelter of Kahukeke"). According to Waikato Tainui oral traditions, Kahukeke, the Māori healer and explorer, who had arrived in New Zealand on the Tainui migratory canoe fell ill at the spot and the area was named for the shelter where she recovered. In some versions the shelter was built by her husband Rakatāura / Hape, the tohunga of the Tainui.[5][6]

The town of Whakamaru was originally established as accommodation for the Whakamaru Power Station in New Zealand. The Whakamaru switching station, adjacent to the power station, is operated by Transpower, and is an important node on the national grid.

Demographics

Statistics New Zealand describes Whakamaru as a rural settlement, which covers 1.60 km2 (0.62 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 170 as of June 2023,[2] with a population density of 106 people per km2. The settlement is part of the larger Marotiri statistical area.[7]

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
2006168—    
2013162−0.52%
2018168+0.73%
Source: [8]

Whakamaru had a population of 168 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 6 people (3.7%) since the 2013 census, and unchanged since the 2006 census. There were 60 households, comprising 84 males and 84 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.0 males per female. The median age was 48.0 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 39 people (23.2%) aged under 15 years, 18 (10.7%) aged 15 to 29, 84 (50.0%) aged 30 to 64, and 27 (16.1%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 82.1% European/Pākehā, 41.1% Māori, 1.8% Pacific peoples, and 5.4% Asian. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 62.5% had no religion, 26.8% were Christian, 3.6% had Māori religious beliefs, and 1.8% were Hindu.

Of those at least 15 years old, 9 (7.0%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 42 (32.6%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $23,900, compared with $31,800 nationally. 18 people (14.0%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 57 (44.2%) people were employed full-time, 24 (18.6%) were part-time, and 3 (2.3%) were unemployed.[8]

Recreation and amenities

During the summer months Lake Whakamaru is used extensively for water skiing. The Whakamaru Water Ski Club is very busy during the Christmas holidays, although water skiing courses are normally available all year round. Kiwiburn, the New Zealand Burning Man regional, was held annually at the Whakamaru Domain, State Highway 30, from 2007 to 2013.

The town has a resident association, grocery store, cafe, pizza restaurant, and petrol station. Guided walks are available for the nearby Mt Titiraupenga, located at the geographic centre of The North Island.[9]

Education

Whakamaru School is a co-educational state primary school,[10] with a roll of 87 as of April 2023.[11][12]

References
  1. "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 11 November 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. Mighty River Power Generation: Whakamaru, accessed 27 March 2008
  4. Saunders, K. E.; Morgan, D. J.; Baker, J. A.; Wysoczanski, R. J. (2010). "The Magmatic Evolution of the Whakamaru Supereruption, New Zealand, Constrained by a Microanalytical Study of Plagioclase and Quartz whakamaru volcano" (PDF). Journal of Petrology. 51 (12): 2465–2488. doi:10.1093/petrology/egq064.
  5. Jones, Pei Te Hurinui; Biggs, Bruce (2004). Ngā iwi o Tainui : nga koorero tuku iho a nga tuupuna = The traditional history of the Tainui people. Auckland [N.Z.]: Auckland University Press. ISBN 1869403312.
  6. "Waikato Regional Pest Management Plan 2017/18: Appendix 1: Statutory Acknowledgements" (PDF). Waikato Regional Council. 2017. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  7. 2018 Census place summary: Marotiri
  8. "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. 7013272.
  9. "Mount Titiraupenga tracks: Places to go in Pureora Forest Park".
  10. "Whakamaru School Ministry of Education School Profile". educationcounts.govt.nz. Ministry of Education.
  11. "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  12. "Whakamaru School Education Review Office Report". ero.govt.nz. Education Review Office.
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