78-555: Inch Valley is a lightly populated rural locality in the Otago region of New Zealand 's South Island . It is northwest of Palmerston and Glenpark , east of Stoneburn , on the banks of the Shag River . Economic activity around Inch Valley is agricultural . Inch Valley is between Glenpark and Dunback on State Highway 85 . For 104 years, a branch line railway passed through Inch Valley; for 68 of these years, it served as
156-550: A Volunteer Unit , part of the No 1 Clutha Rifles, formed. A saw mill had been established sometime before 1872. In 1873 a town library commenced operations. Cheese manufacturing started. A minor property boom occurred in 1875–1876 with the arrival of rail in the town, with sections selling anywhere up to £100 by June 1876. The telegraph arrived some time in 1877 and a new Presbyterian Church opened in October that year. A cricket club
234-439: A Labour stronghold. Since 2008 the rest of Otago has been divided between the large rural electorates of Waitaki , which also includes some of the neighbouring Canterbury Region , and Clutha-Southland , which also includes most of the rural part of the neighbouring Southland Region. The Waitaki electorate has traditionally been a National Party stronghold and is currently held by Miles Anderson . The Southland electorate, also
312-657: A National Party stronghold, is currently represented by Joseph Mooney . The earlier Otago electorate existed from 1978 to 2008, when it was split and merged into Waitaki and Clutha-Southland. Two list MPs are based in Dunedin – Michael Woodhouse of the National Party and Rachel Brooking of the Labour Party. One-time Labour Party Deputy Leader David Parker is a former MP for the Otago electorate and currently
390-480: A Presbyterian girls' and boys' school in the city. Unlike other major cities in New Zealand, Dunedin does not have any private intermediate or high schools, as all remaining private intermediate and high schools have been integrated into the state system. 45°52′50″S 170°29′46″E / 45.88056°S 170.49611°E / -45.88056; 170.49611 Kaitangata, New Zealand Kaitangata
468-480: A customs house, a police station, and stores. A resident magistrate. Andrew Chapman, was the first Post Master, appointed on 15 September 1863. Chapman was later adjudged bankrupt because he was not a competent businessman, and a new Post Master was appointed on 1 February 1865. A primary school was established in 1866 and its roll reached 50 pupils in April 1873. Flax mills opened in early 1870. In November 1870
546-638: A decrease of 12 people (−1.1%) since the 2013 census , and a decrease of 45 people (−4.0%) since the 2006 census . There were 441 households, comprising 564 males and 528 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.07 males per female. The median age was 40.4 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 213 people (19.5%) aged under 15 years, 210 (19.2%) aged 15 to 29, 543 (49.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 126 (11.5%) aged 65 or older. Ethnicities were 89.3% European/ Pākehā , 15.1% Māori , 1.6% Pasifika , 4.4% Asian , and 0.8% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity. The percentage of people born overseas
624-421: A high incidence of feldspar . Fossils of the late and middle Triassic Warepan and Kaihikuan stages are found in the area. Weather conditions vary enormously across Otago, but can be broken into two broad types: the coastal climate of the coastal regions and the more continental climate of the interior. Coastal regions of Otago are subject to the alternating warm and dry/cool and wet weather patterns common to
702-530: A list MP. Under the Māori electorates system, Otago is also part of the large Te Tai Tonga electorate, which covers the entire South Island and surrounding islands, and is currently held by Te Pāti Māori Party MP Tākuta Ferris . Three of the 18 Ngāi Tahu Rūnanga (councils) are based in the Otago Region. Each one is centred on a coastal marae, namely Ōtākou , Moeraki and Puketeraki at Karitane . There
780-570: A mixed economy. Dunedin is home to manufacturing, publishing and technology-based industries. Rural economies have been reinvigorated in the 1990s and 2000s: in Clutha district, farms have been converted from sheep to more lucrative dairying. Vineyard planting and production remained modest until the middle of the 1990s when the New Zealand wine industry began to expand rapidly. The Central Otago wine region produces wine made from varieties such as
858-549: A rail link to the South Island Main Trunk at Stirling in 1875. In September 1873 ownership of the No 1 Coal Company Mine passed to a Mr McLaren. Later the same year Messrs Findlay and Watson opened their mine. The underground mines produced sub-bituminous coal of a high quality, which was used primarily as fuel for the steam locomotives, in use in NZ until the 1960s. When the railways switched to diesel locomotives
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#1732800925922936-705: A railway junction. The Dunback Branch from the Main South Line through Inch Valley to Dunback opened on 29 August 1885, to open up the country and serve farming interests. On 31 March 1900 the short Makareo Branch from Inch Valley northeast to a limeworks in Makareao opened. Passengers in Inch Valley were served solely by mixed trains that ran between Palmerston and Dunback. Due to declining patronage these were cancelled on 10 August 1930 and replaced by goods-only trains. Inch Valley's railway station had
1014-403: A rural settlement. It covers 2.54 km (0.98 sq mi), and had an estimated population of 820 as of June 2024, with a population density of 323 people per km . It is part of the larger Kaitangata-Matau statistical area. Kaitangata had a population of 753 at the 2018 New Zealand census , a decrease of 3 people (−0.4%) since the 2013 census , and a decrease of 57 people (−7.0%) since
1092-483: A small influx at this time. The early and middle years of the twentieth century saw smaller influxes of immigrants from several mainland European countries, most notably the Netherlands . In line with the region's Scottish heritage, Presbyterianism is the largest Christian denomination with 17.1 percent affiliating, while Catholicism is the second-largest denomination with 11.5 percent affiliating. The seat of
1170-525: A small shelter shed for passengers, a loading bank for freight and a loop for 15 wagons; 100 metres away was a ballast siding. On 1 January 1968 the Dunback Branch was closed due to substantial financial losses. Local freight was no longer carried; trains ran through Inch Valley without stopping thrice weekly to serve the Makareao limeworks. On 1 June 1989 this line closed. The railway formation
1248-440: A special character based on a religious or philosophical belief that has been integrated into the state system, but still charge "attendance dues" to cover the building and maintenance of school buildings. These schools are not owned by the government, but otherwise they like state schools cannot charge fees for tuition of domestic students but may request a donation. As Dunedin was founded by Presbyterian Scottish settlers there are
1326-480: A worldwide media phenomenon. As an indication of the level of interest, By the end of June daily pageviews for "Kaitangata, New Zealand" on Misplaced Pages were exceeding those for world cities like Sydney and Los Angeles . The mayor of Clutha district, Bryan Cadogan, said that "more than 10,000 people" had expressed interest in coming to live in Kaitangata. At the beginning of July 2016 some media outlets including
1404-745: A £27,750 loan to construct the Branch line with an extension as far as Coal Point. This was unsuccessful and as a result the Kaitangata Coal Company began to investigate constructing its own line. A railway construction company, the Kaitangata Railway Company was formed and Government consent sought to construct the line. After the Railway Company was formed it amalgamated with the Coal Company, forming
1482-591: Is a region of New Zealand located in the southern half of the South Island administered by the Otago Regional Council . It has an area of approximately 32,000 square kilometres (12,000 sq mi), making it the country's second largest local government region. Its population was 257,200 in June 2024. The name "Otago" is the local southern Māori dialect pronunciation of " Ōtākou ",
1560-525: Is a town near the coast of South Otago , New Zealand, on the left bank of the Matau Branch of the Clutha River ten kilometres south east of Balclutha . The town is known to its residents as Kai . In June 2016, the town gained international attention when new low cost housing was offered there, and local mayor of Clutha District , Bryan Cadogan, estimated there were 100 -1000 job vacancies in
1638-622: Is also the Arai Te Uru Marae in Dunedin. The subnational gross domestic product (GDP) of Otago was estimated at NZ$ 14.18 billion in the year to March 2020, 4.38% of New Zealand's national GDP. The regional GDP per capita was estimated at $ 58,353 in the same period. In the year to March 2018, primary industries contributed $ 1.25 billion (9.8%) to the regional GDP, goods-producing industries contributed $ 2.38 billion (18.6%), service industries contributed $ 8.05 billion (63.0%), and taxes and duties contributed $ 1.10 billion (8.6%). Otago has
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#17328009259221716-399: Is part of the reason why Central Otago vineyards are successful in this region. This inland region is one of the driest regions in the country, sheltered from prevailing rain-bearing weather conditions by the high mountains to the west and hills of the south. Summers can be hot, with temperatures often approaching or exceeding 30 degrees Celsius; winters, by contrast, are often bitterly cold –
1794-618: Is visible around Inch Valley; at the old station site, a set of points and the loading bank are still in place. A 15-span trestle bridge that took the Makareao Branch over the Shag River was destroyed in the mid-1990s as a military training exercise. 45°24′S 170°38′E / 45.400°S 170.633°E / -45.400; 170.633 Otago Otago ( / ə ˈ t ɑː ɡ oʊ / , / oʊ -, ɒ -/ ; Māori : Ōtākou [ɔːˈtaːkou] )
1872-471: The 2006 census . There were 324 households, comprising 393 males and 363 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.08 males per female, with 138 people (18.3%) aged under 15 years, 120 (15.9%) aged 15 to 29, 396 (52.6%) aged 30 to 64, and 99 (13.1%) aged 65 or older. Ethnicities were 90.8% European/ Pākehā , 17.1% Māori , 1.6% Pasifika , 1.6% Asian , and 0.4% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity. Although some people chose not to answer
1950-554: The Ngāi Tahu iwi or tribe. Other significant ethnic minorities include Asians, Pacific Islanders, Africans, Latin Americans and Middle Easterners. Otago's early waves of settlement, especially during and immediately after the gold rush of the 1860s, included a substantial minority of southern ( Guangdong ) Chinese settlers, and a smaller but also prominent number of people from Lebanon . The region's Jewish population also experienced
2028-548: The Pinot noir , Chardonnay , Sauvignon blanc , Merlot and Riesling grapes. It has an increasing reputation as New Zealand's leading Pinot noir region. Otago has numerous rural primary schools, several small town primary and secondary schools, and some larger schools in Dunedin . Most are state schools which do not charge tuition, except for international students. Some are state integrated schools, former private schools with
2106-476: The San Francisco Chronicle online edition SFGate began falsely reporting that Clutha District Council was actually giving away houses or money to the value of US$ 160,000 to potential residents. On 5 July property sales for the house and land package were temporarily suspended. The incredible response to the scheme at one point saw more interest in Kaitangata than perhaps any other place in
2184-587: The University of Otago , was founded in 1869 as the provincial university in Dunedin. The Province of Southland separated from Otago Province and set up its own Provincial Council at Invercargill in 1861. After difficulties ensued, Otago re-absorbed it in 1870. Its territory is included in the southern region of the old Otago Province which is named after it and is now the territory of the Southland region. The provincial governments were abolished in 1876 when
2262-457: The mining disaster in 1879 a local newspaper pointed out the meaning of the name and its appropriateness in the circumstances. According to the “Te Aka Māori Dictionary” site, the word kaitangata refers to both cannibalism and the cat's eye snail ( Turbo smaragdus ), a species of marine snail. In preparation for organised European settlement, in 1847 a party that consisted of Joseph Thomas , R J Harrison, and Charles Henry Kettle surveyed
2340-576: The Abolition of the Provinces Act came into force on 1 November 1876, and were replaced by other forms of local authority, including counties. Two in Otago were named after the Scottish independence heroes Wallace and Bruce . From this time the national limelight gradually shifted northwards. Otago's flag was chosen from a 2004 competition. It was designed by Gregor Macauly. Beginning in
2418-588: The Kaitangata Mining and Railway Company. Construction of a railway line from Kaitangata to the South Island Main line at Stirling was commenced 1875 and was completed on 31 March 1876. It was a private branch line serving the township and the mines. Eventually the line later came into the state Mines Department's possession. It was closed in 1970. The locomotive that operated the line for many years, known during operation as an "Improved F ",
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2496-411: The Kaitangata mine at 8am on 21 February 1879, when the lives of 34 miners were lost in an underground explosion. On the day of the explosion 47 men were employed at the mine. The cause of the explosion is believed to have been a methane gas build up that was ignited when the mine managers brother entered a disused area of the mine with a lit candle. The Coroners Court verdict found negligence on behalf of
2574-902: The Murihiku terrane , an accretion which extends inland through the Hokonui Hills in the Southland region. This itself forms part of a larger system known as the Southland Syncline , which links to similar formations in Nelson (offset by the Alpine Fault ) and even in New Caledonia , 3,500 km (2,200 mi) away. The Catlins ranges are strike ridges composed of Triassic and Jurassic sandstones , mudstones and other related sedimentary rocks, often with
2652-637: The Otago Regional Council is in Dunedin. The council is chaired by Andrew Noone as of July 2021 . There are five territorial authorities in Otago: Otago is represented by four parliamentary electorates . Dunedin and nearby towns are represented by the Dunedin electorate, held by Rachel Brooking , and the Taieri electorate, occupied by Ingrid Leary . Both MPs are members of the Labour Party, and Dunedin has traditionally been
2730-479: The area around Kaitangata as being suitable of coal extraction. William Aitchinson had already begun extracting coal near Kaitangata in 1862. In 1871 he leased his mine to John Thompson of Balclutha. He installed a wooden tramway from the mine to the Matau River. Coal mining was the mainstay of the town's economy from the 1870s until 1972, when the last state-owned underground coal mine closed. In addition to
2808-608: The area of land known as the Otago Block, lying between the Clutha and the Tokomairaro Rivers . The surveyors identified the present location of Kaitangata as suitable for a village on their map. When Europeans settled in the area through the early 1850s, sheep- and dairy-farming started. The town's first settler, in 1855, was John Lovell. Frederick Tuckett had discovered coal in the nearby area in 1844 at Coal Point, but access meant that mining did not commence until
2886-623: The block mountains impede and dilute the effects of the Nor'wester . The main Central Otago centres, such as Alexandra and Cromwell , are found in the intermontane basins between the block mountains. The schist bedrock influence extends to the eastern part of Otago, where remnant volcanics mark its edge. The remains of the most spectacular of these are the Miocene volcanics centred on Otago Harbour . Elsewhere, basalt outcrops can be found along
2964-605: The broad high valley of the Strath-Taieri in its upper reaches, and the fertile Taieri Plains as it approaches the ocean. Travelling east from the mountains, the Central Otago drylands predominate. These are Canterbury-Otago tussock grasslands dominated by the block mountains, upthrust schist mountains. In contrast to Canterbury, where the Northwest winds blow across the plains without interruption, in Otago
3042-425: The census question. Of those at least 15 years old, 40,458 (19.9%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 106,080 (52.2%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 43,974 (21.6%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $ 39,100, compared with $ 41,500 nationally. 19,692 people (9.7%) earned over $ 100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15
3120-411: The census's question about religious affiliation, 67.7% had no religion, 21.9% were Christian , 0.8% had Māori religious beliefs and 0.8% had other religions. Of those at least 15 years old, 21 (3.4%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 237 (38.5%) people had no formal qualifications. 45 people (7.3%) earned over $ 70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15
3198-628: The coal had been shipped down the Clutha River. The origin of the town's Māori name remains uncertain. It is the name of a figure in Māori mythology , but could also refer to cannibal feasts held after tribal fighting between the Kāi Tahu and the Kāti Māmoe iwi in the district. One can translate the name from Māori to English as "food" ( kai ) for "people" ( tangata ) or as "people for food". After
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3276-632: The coast and at other sites. Comparatively similar terrain exists in the high plateau land of the Maniototo Plain , which lies to the east of Central Otago, close to the upper reaches of the Taieri River. This area is sparsely populated, but of historical note for its importance during the Otago gold rush of the 1860s. The townships of Ranfurly and Naseby lie in this area. In the southeastern corner of Otago lies The Catlins , an area of rough hill country which geologically forms part of
3354-462: The country from the southwest. A common variant in this pattern is the centring of a stationary low-pressure zone to the southeast of the country, resulting in long-lasting cool, wet conditions. These have been responsible for several notable historical floods, such as the "hundred year floods" of October 1878 and October 1978. Typically, winters are cool and wet in the extreme south areas and snow can fall and settle to sea level in winter, especially in
3432-399: The country's hydroelectric power. Vineyards and wineries have been developed in the Central Otago wine region . Some parts of the area originally covered by Otago Province are now administered by either Canterbury Regional Council or Southland Regional Council . Like the rest of mainland New Zealand, Otago was first settled by the Māori people . Most of the Māori settlement in Otago
3510-517: The decline of underground mining occurred. In 1873 miners at the Kaitangata Coal Mining Company struck for higher wages. Their claims were unsuccessful and work resumed after about a month. In either late 1873 or early 1874 the No 1 Company's mine caught fire. By July 1874 the fire had broken out of the mine and attempts to put out the fire were unsuccessful. One of New Zealand's early industrial disasters occurred at
3588-487: The earlier mentioned Thompson mine, MacFarlane and Martin opened a new mine in March 1872, with Dunedin merchants Messrs Findlay and Chapstick being added as additional owners a month later. Their mine was referred to as the No 1 Coal Company mine. In September Thompson and Aitchenson reached agreement to raise capital to expand their mining operation by way of a new company, the Kaitangata Coal Mining Company. The company made
3666-640: The focus of the Otago Association , an offshoot of the Free Church of Scotland , notable for its adoption of the principle that ordinary people, not the landowner, should choose the ministers. Major centres include Dunedin (the principal city), Oamaru , Balclutha , Alexandra , and the major tourist centres Queenstown and Wānaka . Kaitangata in South Otago is a prominent source of coal . The Waitaki and Clutha rivers provide much of
3744-492: The former ratepayers' association) has improved this image somewhat and has been responsible for numerous civic projects in and around the town. In 2010 a museum focusing on the coal mining industry was opened. In May 2016 Kaitangata Promotions began offering a house and land package in Kaitangata for $ 230,000. In June this story was picked up by other New Zealand media, and then following a story in The Guardian became
3822-412: The hills and plains of South Otago . More Central and Northern Coastal areas winter is sunnier and drier. Summers, by contrast, tend to be warm and dry, with temperatures often reaching the high 20s and low 30s Celsius. In Central Otago cold frosty winters are succeeded by hot dry summers. Central Otago's climate is the closest approximation to a continental climate anywhere in New Zealand. This climate
3900-521: The interannual Southern oscillation . The Southern Hemisphere storm track produces an irregular short cycle of weather which repeats roughly every week, with three or four days of fine weather followed by three or four days of cooler, damp conditions. Drier conditions are often the result of the northwesterly föhn wind, which dries as it crosses the Southern Alps . Wetter air is the result of approaching low-pressure systems which sweep fronts over
3978-404: The lakes at Kaitangata. The community hoped that by draining the lakes a source of flooding which plagued the area would be removed. At the end of September 1878 the whole township was severely flooded, there were no deaths but considerable damage was done to the township. The road to Granton was washed away and the railway bridges piles were undermined. A local promotions society (formed from
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#17328009259224056-401: The late 1850s. At Kaitangata mining began in 1862, just after the township commenced with the sale of its first 40 sections on 28 February 1862. In August 1862, 25 sections were sold in the township for an average of £14 per section. The Presbyterian Church acquired a site for a church in late 1862. Mr James Kirkland was the first Minister appointed on 10 September 1863. The town by 1862 had
4134-471: The mine manager and his brother, together with the lack of legislation as the contributing factors in the disaster. Several open-cast mines have continued to exist (both state and private) up to the present day, such as the Kai Point Mine . The Kai Point Coal Company, founded by George Cross, has been mining coal at Kaitangata since 1951 and produces coal for local industry and domestic heating. It
4212-580: The name of the Māori village near the entrance to Otago Harbour . The exact meaning of the term is disputed, with common translations being "isolated village" and "place of red earth", the latter referring to the reddish-ochre clay which is common in the area around Dunedin . "Otago" is also the old name of the European settlement on the harbour, established by the Weller Brothers in 1831, which lies close to Otakou . The upper harbour later became
4290-472: The office of provincial Superintendent after the New Zealand provinces were created in 1853. The Otago Province was the whole of New Zealand from the Waitaki River south, including Stewart Island and the sub-Antarctic islands. It included the territory of the later Southland Province and also the much more extensive lands of the modern Southland Region . Initial settlement was concentrated on
4368-540: The population of the Queenstown-Lakes District grew by 60% due to the region's booming tourism industry. Otago had a population of 240,900 in the 2023 New Zealand census , an increase of 15,714 people (7.0%) since the 2018 census , and an increase of 38,430 people (19.0%) since the 2013 census . There were 118,524 males, 121,185 females and 1,188 people of other genders in 94,425 dwellings. 4.3% of people identified as LGBTIQ+ . The median age
4446-691: The population resides in the Dunedin urban area—the region's main city and the country's sixth largest urban area. For historical and geographical reasons, Dunedin is usually regarded as one of New Zealand's four main centres. Unlike other southern centres, Dunedin's population has not declined since the 1970s, largely due to the presence of the University of Otago – and especially its medical school – which attracts students from all over New Zealand and overseas. Other significant urban centres in Otago with populations over 1,000 include: Queenstown , Oamaru , Wānaka , Port Chalmers , Cromwell , Alexandra , Balclutha , Milton and Mosgiel . Between 1996 and 2006,
4524-464: The port and city, then expanded, notably to the south-west, where the fertile Taieri Plains offered good farmland. The 1860s saw rapid commercial expansion after Gabriel Read discovered gold at Gabriel's Gully near Lawrence , and the Otago gold rush ensued. Veterans of goldfields in California and Australia, plus many other fortune-seekers from Europe, North America and China, poured into
4602-524: The region's current official boundaries put much of that river's catchment in Canterbury . The country's fourth-longest river, the Taieri , also has both its source and outflow in Otago, rising from rough hill country and following a broad horseshoe-shaped path, north, then east, and finally southeast, before reaching the Pacific Ocean. Along its course it forms two notable geographic features –
4680-452: The region; the news was carried by The Guardian and TVNZ 's Seven Sharp . The town sits close to the coast on one of the branches of the Clutha River 's delta. The small island of Inch Clutha lies immediately to the southwest of the town. Close to the town to the north lies the small Lake Tuakitoto , which drains into the Clutha via a small stream which runs to the west of Kaitangata. In 1863 there were only 29 eligible voters in
4758-406: The sources of the Clutha / Matau-au, the largest river (by discharge) in New Zealand. The Clutha flows generally to the southeast through Otago and discharges near Balclutha . The river has been used for hydroelectric power generation, with large dams at Clyde and Roxburgh . The traditional northern boundary of the region, the Waitaki River , is also heavily utilised for hydroelectricity, though
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#17328009259224836-532: The then Province of Otago, eroding its Scottish Presbyterian character. Further gold discoveries at Clyde and on the Arrow River around Arrowtown led to a boom, and Otago became for a period the cultural and economic centre of New Zealand. New Zealand's first daily newspaper, the Otago Daily Times , originally edited by Julius Vogel , dates from this period. New Zealand's first university,
4914-564: The town, notably cases of arson. Black swans and pheasants were introduced into the area in the 1860s by the Acclimatisation Society. Trout were introduced into the Matau River in the 1870s. At 10am on 11 May 1877 a seismic sea wave from the 1877 Iquique earthquake caused an 18 inch high wave up the Clutha River past Kaitangata, with the river eventually rising to four feet above its former height. This repeated hourly for most of that day. In 1877 workers began to drain
4992-414: The township of Ranfurly in Central Otago holds the New Zealand record for lowest temperature with a reading of −25.6 °C on 18 July 1903. Otago Region covers 31,186.16 km (12,041.04 sq mi). The population is 257,200 as of June 2024, which is approximately 4.8 percent of New Zealand's total population of 5.3 million. The population density is 8.2 people per km . About 41.5 percent of
5070-689: The west, the geography of Otago consists of high alpine mountains. The highest peak in Otago (and highest outside the Aoraki / Mount Cook area) is Mount Aspiring / Tititea , which is on the Main Divide . From the high mountains the rivers discharge into large glacial lakes. In this part of Otago glacial activity – both recent and very old – dominates the landscape, with large U-shaped valleys and rivers which have high sediment loads. River flows also vary dramatically, with large flood flows occurring after heavy rain. Lakes Wakatipu , Wānaka , and Hāwea form
5148-525: The wider district, which included Inch Clutha and Matau. By 1865 the population for the wider area was given as 403 males and 253 females – a total of 656. Considerable expansion took place with the arrival of rail and the local population sought to have the town proclaimed a Municipality in July 1878. Kaitangata was within Bruce County at the time. Kaitangata is described by Statistics New Zealand as
5226-470: The world, and the real estate agent responsible had received more than 9000 emails regarding it. Accordingly, the promotions group wanted to ensure that it was genuine settlers which were buying the sections and not just speculators. To achieve this: Rules would be set, including that successful buyers would need to declare their intention for the land, speculators would not be encouraged, and buyers would agree to build within two years. Kaitangata School
5304-409: Was $ 31,000, compared with $ 31,800 nationally. 75 people (8.5%) earned over $ 70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 480 (54.6%) people were employed full-time, 114 (13.0%) were part-time, and 42 (4.8%) were unemployed. Initially access to Kaitangata was by boat up the Clutha River. When road access was being improved at considerable expense in 1862 there
5382-566: Was 38.4 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 37,749 people (15.7%) aged under 15 years, 53,532 (22.2%) aged 15 to 29, 106,926 (44.4%) aged 30 to 64, and 42,690 (17.7%) aged 65 or older. People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 85.2% European ( Pākehā ); 9.9% Māori ; 3.4% Pasifika ; 8.5% Asian ; 2.2% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.7% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English
5460-464: Was 8.5, compared with 27.1% nationally. Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 65.4% had no religion, 24.2% were Christian , 0.5% had Māori religious beliefs , 0.5% were Hindu , 0.3% were Muslim , 0.3% were Buddhist and 0.5% had other religions. Of those at least 15 years old, 48 (5.5%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 306 (34.8%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income
5538-529: Was donated to the preservation society at Shantytown in Westland and it operates heritage trains today with the nameplate "Kaitangata" in honour of its former home. In April 1877 several local stores were set alight by an arsonist, although only one was destroyed. A £250 reward was offered for locating and prosecuting the offender. The culprit was never found. In 2010 and 2013 the town has gained some notoriety due to several high-profile crimes connected with
5616-477: Was formed by January 1864. The Ancient Order of Oddfellows was established in September 1865. A Temperance Society was set up in 1871. By 1877 there was a football club. An initial report on coal in the nearby area at Coal Point was carried out by J. G. Lewis in 1859. This was followed by Dr Hector 's survey of the coal fields from 1862 to 1864 and his report was published in June 1864. In it he identified
5694-538: Was opposition in favour of a steamer service on the river. In 1862 the town was described as a port of entry with a customs house. Road access remained problematic up until the mid-1870s due to poor construction and surface flooding. A rail link (the Kaitangata Line ) to the South Island Main Trunk was constructed in 1875, primarily for moving coal. Prior to the construction of the line,
5772-507: Was producing 55,000 tons of coal per annum. The remaining open-cast mine produces lignite, which is primarily used in household fires and industrial boilers. In 1873 local residents petitioned the Provincial Government to construct a Branch Line from the South Island Main Trunk to Ropers Creek near Kaitangata to enable coal to be easily transported from the mines. In 1874 the Provincial Government applied for consent to raise
5850-557: Was spoken by 97.5%, Māori language by 1.9%, Samoan by 0.6% and other languages by 11.9%. No language could be spoken by 1.7% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.5%. The percentage of people born overseas was 23.8, compared with 28.8% nationally. Religious affiliations were 28.4% Christian , 1.0% Hindu , 0.8% Islam , 0.2% Māori religious beliefs , 0.7% Buddhist , 0.5% New Age , 0.1% Jewish , and 1.4% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 60.3%, and 6.6% of people did not answer
5928-413: Was that 101,514 (50.0%) people were employed full-time, 31,086 (15.3%) were part-time, and 4,848 (2.4%) were unemployed. The majority of the population of European lineage is of Scottish stock—the descendants of early Scottish settlers from the early 19th century. Other well-represented European groups include those of English, Irish, and Dutch descent. A large proportion of the Māori population are from
6006-412: Was that 327 (53.2%) people were employed full-time, 75 (12.2%) were part-time, and 36 (5.9%) were unemployed. Kaitangata-Matau covers 163.68 km (63.20 sq mi) and also includes Inch Clutha and Wangaloa . It had an estimated population of 1,200 as of June 2024, with a population density of 7.3 people per km . Kaitangata-Matau had a population of 1,092 at the 2018 New Zealand census ,
6084-788: Was upon the coast and centred around the Otago Peninsula . The Otago settlement, an outgrowth of the Free Church of Scotland , was founded in March 1848 with the arrival of the first two immigrant ships from Greenock on the Firth of Clyde — the John Wickliffe and the Philip Laing . Captain William Cargill , a veteran of the Peninsular War , was the secular leader. Otago citizens subsequently elected him to
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