39-503: Otiria is a rural locality in the Northland Region of New Zealand's North Island . It neighbours Moerewa to the east, with the nearest major town, Kawakawa a few kilometres further eastwards. Other nearby localities include Pokapu to the south, Orauta to the west, and Hupara to the north. The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "place of planting" for Ōtiria . Otiria used to have
78-675: A convoluted coastline, with many smaller peninsulas branching off it. The northernmost 100 kilometres of the Northland Peninsula forms the Aupōuri Peninsula – a peninsula on a peninsula – narrowing to only some 10 kilometres in width. At its northern end, the Aupōuri Peninsula includes a number of capes: Cape Maria van Diemen , Cape Reinga / Te Rerenga Wairua , North Cape / Otou , and the Hikurua / de Surville Cliffs ,
117-611: A feature of the Northland landscape. For this reason wood and paper manufacturing industries also make a large contribution to the region's economy. The railway system, which once ran as far north as Donnellys Crossing , has been historically important for the transport of timber via Dargaville to Auckland. Northland is a favourite tourist destination, especially to the Bay of Islands and the historic town of Kerikeri. Diving and fishing are also popular visitor activities, especially around
156-485: A loose association known as the Muriwhenua . Approximately one third of the region's population are Māori; the majority of the remainder is of European lineage. Compared to the rest of the country, Pacific Islanders are under-represented in Northland. Although most of the region's European population are British (as is true with the rest of the country), certain other ethnicities are represented as well. These include
195-649: A narrow piece of land between the Waitematā Harbour and the Manukau Harbour in the middle of the Auckland metropolitan area. The peninsula is not conterminous with the local government area of Northland Region , which occupies the northern 80% of the peninsula, as the southern section is administratively part of the Auckland Region . The peninsula formed as an island 22 million years ago, when
234-502: A primary school. It was closed in 2005 and students were transferred to Moerewa School. Otiria is situated just off State Highway 1 . Otiria is the northernmost operational point of the national railway network . It is the terminus of the North Auckland Line , although a disused siding extends into Moerewa. Otiria railway station (closed in 1993) was a railway junction until the mid-1980s. The Opua Branch section of
273-539: A sizeable Croatian community from the Dargaville area north, particularly around Kaitaia . Northland is New Zealand's least urbanised region, with 50% of the population of 204,800 living in urban areas. Whangārei is the largest urban area of Northland, with a population of 56,800 (June 2024). The region's population is largely concentrated along the east coast, due to the west coast being more ragged and less suitable for urbanisation. According to Māori legend,
312-513: Is Waitangi and the surrounding Bay of Islands . This was a major settlement area in early colonial New Zealand , and was the site of the first signing (February 1840) of the Treaty of Waitangi , which is seen in the national mythos as the founding document of New Zealand's nationhood . The largest settlement on the peninsula (other than parts of the Auckland conurbation) is Whangārei , on
351-736: The 2013 census . There were 95,697 males, 97,776 females and 528 people of other genders in 71,778 dwellings. 2.4% of people identified as LGBTIQ+ . The median age was 43.2 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 38,067 people (19.6%) aged under 15 years, 29,856 (15.4%) aged 15 to 29, 83,790 (43.2%) aged 30 to 64, and 42,288 (21.8%) aged 65 or older. People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 73.0% European ( Pākehā ); 37.4% Māori ; 4.9% Pasifika ; 4.8% Asian ; 0.7% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.3% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English
390-616: The Far North District . Whangarei City, Whangarei County, and Hikurangi Town Councils became the Whangarei District , with Dargaville Borough and Otamatea County becoming the Kaipara District . The Northland Regional Council became a tier of local government above these territorial authorities. A proposal to merge the three district councils and the regional council into a unitary authority to be known as
429-700: The Köppen climate classification ), but a subtropical climate in the Trewartha climate classification , with warm humid summers and mild wet winters. Due to its latitude and low elevation, Northland has the country's highest average annual temperature. However, as with other parts of New Zealand, climate conditions are variable. In summer, temperatures range from 22 °C to 26 °C, occasionally rising above 30 °C. In winter, maximum temperatures vary between 13 °C and 19 °C, while minima vary between 6 °C and 11 °C. Ground frosts are rare due to
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#1732797680769468-615: The North Island is actually the Surville Cliffs , close to North Cape although the northernmost point of the country is further north, in the Kermadec chain of islands. Cape Reinga and Spirits Bay, however, have a symbolic part to play as the end of the country. In Māori mythology , it is from here that the souls of the dead depart on their journey to the afterlife. The region of Northland has an oceanic climate ( Cfb in
507-687: The Bay of Islands and the Poor Knights Islands . Northland was formerly home to New Zealand's only oil refinery, located in Marsden Point , a town, close to Whangārei across the harbour. New Zealand's natural fuel resources in Taranaki account for a little under half of the refinery's intake, with the rest coming predominantly from the Middle East. The nearby Marsden A thermal power station originally utilised heavy oil from
546-632: The Bay of Islands, Russell , formerly known as Kororareka, was the first permanent European settlement and Kerikeri contains many historic buildings, including the Stone Store , New Zealand's oldest extant building. The nearby settlement of Waitangi was of even more significance, as the signing place of New Zealand's founding document, the Treaty of Waitangi between the Māori tribes and the British Crown, on 6 February 1840. Between 1870 and 1920,
585-504: The Government announced the reopening and building of a container terminal as part of a $ 109.7 million investment in Northland rail. 35°23′54″S 174°00′01″E / 35.39833°S 174.00028°E / -35.39833; 174.00028 Northland Region The Northland Region ( Māori : Te Tai Tokerau ) is the northernmost of New Zealand's 16 local government regions . New Zealanders sometimes refer to it as
624-856: The North Auckland Line ran northeast to Kawakawa and Opua , while the Okaihau Branch ran northwest to Kaikohe and Ōkaihau . The railway through Otiria was built in the early 20th century to connect Opua and Kawakawa with Whangārei ; the through route opened on 13 April 1911. This was quickly followed by the commencement of work on the Okaihau Branch from Otiria; it opened to Kaikohe in May 1914 and Ōkaihau in October 1923. In December 1925, passenger trains offering direct service to and from Auckland began running through Otiria. This
663-516: The North Island of New Zealand was an enormous fish, caught by the demigod Māui . For this reason, Northland is sometimes referred to as "The tail of the fish", Te Hiku o Te Ika . Northland iwi claim that Kupe made landfall at the Hokianga (although others claim this was at Taipa) in the northwest of Northland, and thus the region claims that it was the birthplace of New Zealand. Some of
702-655: The Northland Council was rejected by the Local Government Commission in June 2015. Northland Region covers 12,507.14 km (4,829.03 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 204,800 as of June 2024, with a population density of 16 people per km . Northland Region had a population of 194,007 in the 2023 New Zealand census , an increase of 14,931 people (8.3%) since the 2018 census , and an increase of 42,318 people (27.9%) since
741-578: The Okaihau Branch closed on 1 November 1987, Otiria became the northernmost locality served by rail in New Zealand. In 2007, one freight train was timetabled to operate every weekday each way between Otiria and Whangarei. The line was mothballed in August 2016. As of March, 2019, a possible re-opening of all or part of the Whangarei to Otiria line for freight only is under consideration. In January 2020
780-612: The Winterless North because of its mild climate all throughout the year. The major population centre is the city of Whangārei , and the largest town is Kerikeri . At the 2018 New Zealand census , Northland recorded a population growth spurt of 18.1% since the previous 2013 census , placing it as the fastest growing region in New Zealand, ahead of other strong growth regions such as the Bay of Plenty Region (2nd with 15%) and Waikato (3rd with 13.5%). The Northland Region occupies
819-577: The area was uplifted due to interactions between the Pacific Plate and Australian Plate . Between 25 and 22 million years ago, Northland and the East Cape were adjacent, with the East Cape moving south-east due to tectonic forces. Much of the land of Northland is an allochthon , a large block of land formed elsewhere and moved into its current position. When Northland was uplifted, much of
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#1732797680769858-424: The census question. Of those at least 15 years old, 20,514 (13.2%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 87,414 (56.1%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 41,562 (26.7%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $ 33,100, compared with $ 41,500 nationally. 11,367 people (7.3%) earned over $ 100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15
897-431: The endangered snail pūpū harakeke ( Placostylus ambagiosus ), stick insects and the Northland green tree gecko ( Naultinus grayii ). The western coast is dominated by several long straight beaches, the most famous of which is the inaccurately-named 88 km stretch of Ninety Mile Beach in the region's far north. The slightly longer Ripiro Beach lies further south. Two large inlets are also located on this coast,
936-437: The land that would form the central Auckland Region was subsided 2-3,000 metres to the sea floor. The Waitemata Group sedimentary rock found in the Northland and Auckland Regions is material which was eroded from the Northland island and deposited on the deep sea floor. The peninsula stretches northwest for about 330 kilometres from the Auckland isthmus (or Tamaki isthmus), reaching a maximum width of 85 kilometres. It has
975-402: The major industry in Northland was kauri gum digging, which by the 1910s was centred around the townships of Ahipara and Houhora . The subnational gross domestic product (GDP) of Northland was estimated at NZ$ 7.86 billion in the year to March 2019, 2.6% of New Zealand's national GDP. The regional GDP per capita was estimated at $ 42,104 in 2019, the lowest of all New Zealand regions. In
1014-553: The massive Kaipara Harbour in the south, which Northland shares with the Auckland Region, and the convoluted inlets of the Hokianga Harbour. The east coast is more rugged, and is dotted with bays and peninsulas. Several large natural harbours are found on this coast, from Parengarenga close to the region's northern tip, then Whangaroa Harbour , and past the famous Bay of Islands down to Whangārei Harbour, on
1053-532: The northern 80% (265 kilometres (165 miles)) of the 330 kilometres (210 miles) Northland Peninsula , the southernmost part of which is in the Auckland Region . It is bounded to the west by the Tasman Sea , and to the east by the Pacific Ocean. The land is predominantly rolling hill country. Farming and forestry occupy over half of the land and are two of the region's main industries. Although many of
1092-472: The northernmost point, at latitude 34° 23' 47" South. The Kaipara Harbour , part way along the peninsula's western ( Tasman Sea ) shore, is one of the largest harbours in the world, stretching some 65 kilometres from north to south. Further north is the smaller Hokianga harbour, which has historic and cultural significance, especially to the Māori people . On the eastern coast, another historically significant site
1131-456: The oldest traces of Māori kāinga (fishing villages) can be found here. If the Māori regard the region as the legendary birthplace of the country, there can be no doubt that it was the European starting-point for the modern nation of New Zealand. Traders, whalers and sealers were among the first arrivals, and the gum and timber of the mighty kauri trees brought more colonisers. In
1170-477: The refinery for electricity production, but no longer does so. 35°35′S 173°58′E / 35.58°S 173.97°E / -35.58; 173.97 Northland Peninsula The Northland Peninsula , called the North Auckland Peninsula in earlier times, is in the far north of the North Island of New Zealand. It is joined to the rest of the island by the Auckland isthmus ,
1209-503: The region being encircled by the moderating Pacific and Tasman waters, but light frosts do occur infrequently around Dargaville in the lowlands. The hottest months are January and February. In January 2009, excessive sunlight hours and below-average rainfall resulted in the region being declared a drought zone. Typical annual rainfall for the region is 1500–2000 mm but varies at different altitudes. Northland has an average of 2000 sunshine hours annually. Winds are predominantly from
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1248-539: The region's kauri forests were felled during the 19th century, some areas still exist where this rare giant grows tall. New Zealand's largest tree, Tāne Mahuta , stands in the Waipoua Forest south of the Hokianga Harbour. These kauri forests are also home to Te Raupua at 781 metres (2,562 ft), the highest point in the region. Northland has many endemic plant and invertebrate species such as
1287-566: The region: Until 1989 Northland was governed by several councils and an earlier Northland Regional Council known as the Northland United Council. (It had been part of Auckland Province from 1853 until government was centralised in 1876. Long after Auckland Province ceased, the region continued to be known as North Auckland.) In 1989, Kaitaia Borough, Mangonui County , Whangaroa County , Bay of Islands County , Hokianga County , and Kaikohe Borough were amalgamated to become
1326-610: The shores of which is situated the largest population centre. Numerous islands dot this coast, notably the Cavalli Islands , the Hen and Chicken Islands , Aorangaia Island and the Poor Knights Islands . The northernmost points of the North Island mainland lie at the top of Northland. These include several points often confused in the public mind as being the country's northernmost points: Cape Maria van Diemen , Spirits Bay , Cape Reinga , and North Cape . The northernmost point of
1365-582: The southwest. Occasionally in summer, the region experiences stormy conditions from former cyclones which generally become much weaker once they leave tropical latitudes. The Northland Region has been governed by the present Northland Regional Council since 1989. The seat of the council is in Whangārei . Regional council members represent 8 constituencies: Far North, Bay of Islands-Whangaroa, Mid North, Coastal Central, Coastal South, Whangārei City, Kaipara and Te Raki. There are three territorial authorities in
1404-582: The year to March 2018, primary industries contributed $ 984 million (13.1%) to the regional GDP, goods-producing industries contributed $ 1.59 billion (21.2%), service industries contributed $ 4.30 billion (57.1%), and taxes and duties contributed $ 645 million (8.6%) The region's economy is based on agriculture (notably beef cattle and sheep), fishing, forestry , and horticulture . Northland has 4,423 hectares (10,930 acres) of horticultural land as of 2017. Significant crops include avocadoes , kumara , kiwifruit , citrus fruit and olives . Extensive forests are
1443-733: Was initially the Northland Express between Auckland and Opua, with carriages for Ōkaihau detached in Otiria. It was cancelled in November 1956 and replaced by 88 seater railcars that ran between Auckland and Ōkaihau. Due to declining patronage and the poor reliability of the railcars, this service ended in July 1967. Mixed trains to Whangarei continued to operate; the final passenger service through Otiria ran on 18 June 1976. The line from Otiria to Opua ceased to be used in 1985, and when
1482-557: Was spoken by 97.0%, Māori language by 10.1%, Samoan by 0.4% and other languages by 7.1%. No language could be spoken by 1.9% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.5%. The percentage of people born overseas was 16.9, compared with 28.8% nationally. Religious affiliations were 31.2% Christian , 0.7% Hindu , 0.2% Islam , 3.8% Māori religious beliefs , 0.5% Buddhist , 0.5% New Age , 0.1% Jewish , and 1.2% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 54.2%, and 7.8% of people did not answer
1521-421: Was that 67,788 (43.5%) people were employed full-time, 21,735 (13.9%) were part-time, and 5,469 (3.5%) were unemployed. Māori refer to Northland – and by extension its Māori people – as Te Taitokerau (the northern tide) and Māori language and traditions are strong there. Major tribal groups include Ngāpuhi , Te Aupōuri , Te Rarawa , Ngāti Kahu , Ngāti Kurī and Ngāti Whātua . Several of these tribes form
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