Hawera

Hāwera

Hāwera

Town in Taranaki Region, New Zealand

Hāwera is the second-largest centre in the Taranaki region of New Zealand's North Island, with a population of 10,350.[2] 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.

Quick Facts Country, Region ...
The water tower at Hāwera

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.[3] An older Māori name was Tau-patatē, referring to the patatē or seven-finger tree Schefflera digitata.[4] 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.[5]

European settlement

The town's name meaning "burnt place" became apt when the town suffered extensive blazes in 1884, 1888, and 1912.[6]

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.[7]

Marae

There are four marae in the Hāwera area:

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.[8]

Demography

Hāwera covers 25.18 km2 (9.72 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 10,350 as of June 2023,[2] with a population density of 411 people per km2.

More information Year, Pop. ...

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.[9]

More information Name, Area (km2) ...

Economy

Aerial view of Hāwera, including the surrounding agricultural landscape and the Whareroa Dairy Factory.

Dairy Industry

The cornerstone of Hāwera's economy is the dairy industry, most notably the Whareroa Dairy Factory. Located approximately 4 km from the heart of the town, this factory is not only significant to the local economy but also stands as a global leader in dairy production. The Whareroa Factory is currently owned by Fonterra, a New Zealand multinational dairy co-operative, and was originally established by the Kiwi Co-operative Dairies in 1975.

As the world's largest dairy processing facility, the Whareroa complex boasts a remarkable capacity, employing around 1,000 staff members during its peak season. Its daily operations can process up to 14 million liters of milk, reflecting its monumental scale and productivity.[15] The site also features a co-generation power plant that not only supplies the energy needed for dairy processing but also contributes surplus electricity to New Zealand's national power grid.[16]

Cultural Attractions

Another pillar of Hāwera's identity and a significant contribution to its economy is the Tawhiti Museum, a local gem renowned for its meticulously handcrafted life-sized figures and intricate scale models. These exhibits offer immersive experiences, portraying the rich cultural history and heritage of the region. The museum's displays notably include detailed recreations of local Māori pā sites, providing educational insights into the historical lifestyles and structures of the indigenous community.[17] 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.[18]

Through the combination of its agricultural prowess and the celebration of its cultural history, Hāwera represents a harmonious blend of economic vitality and rich heritage.

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.[19] The intermediate school opened in 1961.[20] 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.[21]


The Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki has a campus in Hāwera,[22] established in 1990.[23]

Te Paepae o Aotea is a secondary school for years 7 to 13[24] with a roll of 968.

Hāwera Primary School, Ramanui School, Tawhiti School and Turuturu School are contributing primary (years 1–6) schools with rolls of 151, 50, 295 and 299 respectively.[25] Hāwera Primary celebrated its 125th jubilee in 2000.[26] Ramanui school celebrated its 50th jubilee in 2003.[27]

Hāwera Christian School and St Joseph's School are state integrated full primary (years 1–8) schools with rolls of 33 and 192 respectively.

Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngati Ruanui is a full primary (years 1–8) school with a roll of 88. It is a Kura Kaupapa Māori school which teaches in the Māori language.

All these schools are coeducational. Rolls are as of February 2024.[25]

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.[28]

Notable people

Main category: People from Hāwera

References

  1. [1]
    "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  2. [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. [3]
    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
  4. [4]
    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.
  5. [5]
    "Hāwera". NZGB Gazetteer | linz.govt.nz. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  6. [6]
    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, [N.Z.]: D. Nimmo Scott; a more recent one is Arthur Fryer; Nigel Ogle (ill.) (2003), Hawera's on fire, Hawera, [N.Z.]: Hawera Historical Society. For details of Hawera's Fire Brigade, see Trevor N. Moore (1982), Hawera Fire Brigade, 1882–1982: a centennial history, Hawera, [N.Z.]: The Brigade
  7. [7]
    Craig Stevenson; Hugo Jackson, Hawera Water Tower Restoration (PDF), Contech, archived from the original (PDF) on 14 October 2008
  8. [8]
    "Marae Announcements" (Excel). growregions.govt.nz. Provincial Growth Fund. 9 October 2020.
  9. [9]
    "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).
  10. [10]
    2018 Census place summary: Egmont Showgrounds
  11. [11]
    2018 Census place summary: Turuturu
  12. [12]
    2018 Census place summary: King Edward Park
  13. [13]
    2018 Census place summary: Ramanui
  14. [14]
    2018 Census place summary: Hawera Central
  15. [15]
    "Largest dairy factory in the world", Te Ara
  16. [16]
    The Whareroa Co-generation plant[permanent dead link], www.toddenergy.co.nz
  17. [17]
    "The man behind the models at Hāwera's Tawhiti Museum". Stuff. 16 April 2018. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  18. [18]
    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, [N.Z.]: Hawera Star Print. Additionally, for contemporary Māori community structures, refer to: Gloria Kerehoma (1984), Commemorative centennial [i.e. centennial] booklet, 1884–1984, Hawera, [N.Z.]: Centennial Committee; Shore Print on Aotearoa Pa.
  19. [19]
    Fryer, Arthur (1994), The Beginnings of Hawera High School, Hawera High School Jubilee Magazine, archived from the original on 14 October 2008
  20. [20]
    School Info, Hawera Intermediate, archived from the original on 14 October 2008
  21. [21]
    "New school for south Taranaki". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
  22. [22]
    Campus Maps, Western Institute of Technology, archived from the original on 22 September 2008, retrieved 29 June 2008
  23. [23]
    WITT History, Western Institute of Technology, archived from the original on 22 September 2008, retrieved 29 June 2008
  24. [24]
    Education Counts: Te Paepae o Aotea
  25. [25]
    "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  26. [26]
    "Jubilees & reunions – Hawera Primary School", Education Gazette New Zealand, 78 (10), 14 June 1999[dead link]
  27. [27]
    "Ramanui Primary School 50th Jubilee", Education Gazette New Zealand, 82 (5), 24 March 2003[dead link]
  28. [28]
    Persico, Christina (12 October 2019). "Phil Nixon wins South Taranaki mayoralty by large margin". Taranaki Daily News.
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