52-455: The Remutaka Range (spelled Rimutaka Range before 2017) is the southernmost range of a mountain chain in the lower North Island of New Zealand. The chain continues north into the Tararua , then Ruahine Ranges, running parallel with the east coast between Wellington and East Cape . The 555-metre summit of the road over the range at its northern saddle is named Remutaka Pass . The pass
104-515: A "with-car" (goods train with a carriage attached) service lasted until June 1976. Restoration of the station by its Men's Shed occupant began in 2014 and was largely complete by 2020. Its Type C design was protected by a NZHPT Category II listing on 24 March 2006 (List Number 7646). The station was opened by the Minister for Railways, Gordon Coates , on 11 March 1925. Predecessor stations had been opened in 1880 and 1903. The 1880 station
156-541: A brickworks over several decades. Good quality limestone was quarried at Hikurangi, Portland and Limestone Island, and initially sold as agricultural lime, and later combined with local coal to produce Portland cement at the settlement of Portland on the south side of the harbour. Local limestone is still used in cement manufacture, but the coal is now imported from the West Coast of the South Island . Whangārei
208-563: A day from Whangārei, taking about 3 hours for the 158 km (98 mi) to Auckland and 1hr 45 mins to Kerikeri . Whangārei is connected to Auckland and Otiria by the North Auckland line , which carries freight only, the container transfer depot being at 33 Porowini Ave. From 1911 to 1933 it was also on the Onerahi Branch . The railway station lost its last scheduled passenger service on 15 September 1975, although
260-963: A population density of 894 people per km . The urban area had a population of 53,841 in the 2023 New Zealand census , an increase of 1,947 people (3.8%) since the 2018 census , and an increase of 9,111 people (20.4%) since the 2013 census . There were 25,776 males, 27,918 females and 147 people of other genders in 19,821 dwellings. 3.0% of people identified as LGBTIQ+ . The median age was 38.2 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 11,022 people (20.5%) aged under 15 years, 9,714 (18.0%) aged 15 to 29, 22,353 (41.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 10,752 (20.0%) aged 65 or older. People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 68.5% European ( Pākehā ); 37.3% Māori ; 5.6% Pasifika ; 8.9% Asian ; 0.8% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.0% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English
312-440: A rapid decline in coastal shipping but stimulated Whangārei to become the service centre for Northland. The population was 14,000 in 1945, but grew rapidly in the 1960s, incorporating Kamo and other outlying areas. In 1964, Whangārei was declared a city. Its population the following year was 31,000. The second half of the twentieth century brought the establishment and expansion of the oil refinery at Marsden Point on Bream Bay,
364-513: A spectacular 26-metre (85 ft) waterfall in Tikipunga , 6 kilometres (3.7 miles) north of the city. Matakohe , or Limestone Island, lies in the harbour close to the city. Owned by Whangarei District, it is subject to ecological island restoration by the Friends of Matakohe/Limestone Island Society. Whangārei Central is the main business district. The city's urban area spreads through
416-709: A whole. During the Last Glacial Period when sea levels were over 100 metres lower than present day levels, the North and South islands were connected by a vast coastal plain which formed at the South Taranaki Bight . During this period, most of the North Island was covered in thorn scrubland and forest , while the modern-day Northland Peninsula was a subtropical rainforest . Sea levels began to rise 7,000 years ago, eventually separating
468-579: Is a suggested solution to excess population growth in Auckland and the associated lack of industrial land. Mount Parihaka is a volcanic dome rising 259 metres (850 ft) to the northeast of the city centre and part of the Whangārei volcanic field . It is about 20 million years old, and aligns with the Harbour Fault, which also aligns with the volcanoes of Parakiore near Kamo , and Hikurangi near
520-465: Is in the North Island", "my mother lives in the North Island". Maps, headings, tables, and adjectival expressions use North Island without "the". According to Māori mythology , the North and South Islands of New Zealand arose through the actions of the demigod Māui . Māui and his brothers were fishing from their canoe (the South Island) when he caught a great fish and pulled it right up from
572-531: Is known from traditional histories as a landing point for many of the migratory waka which reached New Zealand, including Tūnui-ā-rangi and Te Arawa . Many stories involving the Whangārei Harbour involve the legendary chief Manaia . Whangārei was traditionally an important location for trade during much of pre-European Māori history , linking the Muriwhenua iwi of the far north, the residents of
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#1732779622783624-474: Is one of the two main islands of New Zealand , separated from the larger but less populous South Island by Cook Strait . With an area of 113,729 km (43,911 sq mi), it is the world's 14th-largest island , constituting 43% of New Zealand's land area. It has a population of 4,077,800 (June 2024), which is 76% of New Zealand's residents, making it the most populous island in Polynesia and
676-534: The Tainui migratory waka, who either flew from the Waikato north on the backs of birds, or in the form of birds. Other traditions describe the meaning of Whangārei as "lying in wait to ambush", referring to warriors watching over the harbour from Te Tihi-o-Kahukura / Castle Rock , or Whangārei meaning "to gather", referring to the harbour as a gathering place for whales or for important rangatira . The harbour
728-448: The 28th-most-populous island in the world. Twelve main urban areas (half of them officially cities) are in the North Island. From north to south, they are Whangārei , Auckland , Hamilton , Tauranga , Rotorua , Gisborne , New Plymouth , Napier , Hastings , Whanganui , Palmerston North , and New Zealand's capital city Wellington , which is located at the south-west tip of the island. The island has been known internationally as
780-563: The Hatea River was opened, in the form of a bascule bridge . There are several cycle/walk ways under development connecting the city centre with the outer suburbs. These include Kamo (currently under construction), Onerahi (completed) and Raumanga/Maunu (several sections completed). The Hatea Loop (Huarahi o te Whai) is a central mixed space walkway connecting the Town Basin, Hihiaua Peninsula, Okara, Pohe Island and Riverside areas of
832-655: The Hauraki Gulf islands, and Tāmaki Māori iwi to the south. An overland route, the Mangapai portage , allowed waka to be hauled between the Whangārei Harbour in the east, and the Wairoa River and Kaipara Harbour to the west along the Mangapai River . A number of Māori iwi are associated with the early history of Whangārei, including Ngare Raumati, Ngāi Tāhuhu, Ngātiwai and Te Parawhau . In
884-566: The North Island for many years. The Te Reo Māori name for it, Te Ika-a-Māui , also has official recognition but it remains seldom used by most residents. On some 19th-century maps, the North Island is named New Ulster (named after Ulster province in northern Ireland) which was also a province of New Zealand that included the North Island. In 2009 the New Zealand Geographic Board found that, along with
936-488: The Northland Region . It offers degrees, diplomas and certificates in a wide variety of academic, professional and technical fields. The degrees are nationally monitored for quality and so can lead to postgraduate study at universities and other institutions. NorthTec has around 23,000 students studying either part-time or full-time. The University of Auckland maintains a campus in the city centre. There are also
988-560: The central city . Whangārei is served by Northport , a seaport at Marsden Point . It was previously served by Port Whangārei, in the upper harbour near the city, which was operated by the Northland Harbour Board until 1988, when it was transferred to the Northland Port Corporation. The first two berths at Marsden Point opened in 2002, and Port Whangārei closed to commercial shipping in 2007 when
1040-636: The kauri gum trade. Today's 'Town Basin' on the Hatea River was the original port. Early exports included kauri gum and native timber, followed later by coal from Whau Valley , Kamo , and Hikurangi . Coal from the Kiripaka field was exported via the Ngunguru River . By 1864, the nucleus of the present city was established. Fire bricks made from fire clay deposits near the Kamo mines supported
1092-590: The 2023 census, 63.1% of North Islanders identified as European ( Pākehā ), 19.8% as Māori , 10.6% as Pacific peoples , 19.3% as Asian , 1.9% as Middle Eastern/Latin American/African, and 1.1% as other ethnicities. Percentages add to more than 100% as people can identify with more than one ethnicity. Māori form the majority in three districts of the North Island: Kawerau (63.2%), Ōpōtiki (66.2%) and Wairoa (68.5%). Europeans formed
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#17327796227831144-634: The North Island is provided by fifteen District Health Boards (DHBs) . Organised around geographical areas of varying population sizes, they are not coterminous with the Local Government Regions . Whang%C4%81rei Whangārei ( Māori: [faŋaːˈɾɛi] ) is the northernmost city in New Zealand and the largest settlement of the Northland Region . It is part of the Whangarei District , created in 1989 from
1196-652: The Northland Regional Council, of which the city is the seat. Whangārei is governed locally by the Whangarei District Council . The city is split into two of the council wards, Denby, which takes the northern suburbs, and Okara, which takes the southern half of the city. Whangārei is covered by the Northland Police District, which is split into two areas, Whangārei/Kaipara and Mid/Far North. Judicially,
1248-921: The Rimutaka Hill Road, in a three-day trek of 27 miles (43.5 km). There were 23 marches of 500 to 1800 men between September 1915 and April 1918, at the end of their training as reinforcements for the New Zealand Expeditionary Force . The march was re-enacted in 2015. Much of the range is protected as the Remutaka Forest Park and Wainuiomata Water Collection Area . 41°10′S 175°10′E / 41.167°S 175.167°E / -41.167; 175.167 North Island The North Island ( Māori : Te Ika-a-Māui [tɛ i.kɐ ɐ mɑː.ʉ.i] , lit. 'the fish of Māui', officially North Island or Te Ika-a-Māui or historically New Ulster )
1300-659: The Riverbank Centre in the town basin. Disruptive Performers (Theatre Group) was formed in 2019, and they staged their first production in November 2020. Whangārei is home to many music organisations, such as Whangārei Youth Music, the Northland Sinfonia, and Sistema Whangārei. NorthTec , with its main campus located in the Whangārei suburb of Raumanga , is the chief provider of tertiary education in
1352-519: The South Island, the North Island had no official name. After a public consultation, the board officially named it North Island, or the aforementioned Te Ika-a-Māui, in October 2013. In prose, the two main islands of New Zealand are called the North Island and the South Island , with the definite article. It is also normal to use the preposition in rather than on , for example "Hamilton
1404-437: The South Island, this is solely due to the North Island having higher natural increase (i.e. births minus deaths) and international migration; since the late 1980s, the internal migration flow has been from the North Island to the South Island. In the year to June 2020, the North Island gained 21,950 people from natural increase and 62,710 people from international migration, while losing 3,570 people from internal migration. At
1456-462: The South Island, with the country's largest city, Auckland, and the capital, Wellington, accounting for nearly half of it. There are 30 urban areas in the North Island with a population of 10,000 or more: The sub-national GDP of the North Island was estimated at NZ$ 282.355 billion in 2021 (78% of New Zealand's national GDP). Nine local government regions cover the North Island and its adjacent islands and territorial waters. Healthcare in
1508-627: The adjacent development of timber processing and the establishment of Northland Port , which is mainly focused on timber exporting. Building of the Hundertwasser Art Centre with Wairau Māori Art Gallery commenced in 2018 after the funding target of $ 20.97 million was raised by a volunteer team in time for a June 2017 deadline, and the centre opened in February of 2022. A container port could follow, linked by rail to Auckland. The extensive, flat undeveloped land around Northport
1560-422: The census question. Of those at least 15 years old, 5,895 (13.8%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 23,538 (55.0%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 11,589 (27.1%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $ 35,300, compared with $ 41,500 nationally. 2,832 people (6.6%) earned over $ 100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15
1612-411: The circumnavigation of New Zealand. The maps described the North Island as " Ea Heinom Auwe " and " Aeheinomowe ", which recognises the "Fish of Māui" element. Another Māori name that was given to the North Island, but is now used less commonly, is Aotearoa . Use of Aotearoa to describe the North Island fell out of favour in the early 20th century, and it is now a collective Māori name for New Zealand as
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1664-451: The conclusion of the Otago gold rush in the 1860s, New Zealand's European population growth has experienced a steady 'Northern drift' as population centres in the North Island have grown faster than those of New Zealand's South Island. This population trend has continued into the twenty-first century, but at a much slower rate. While the North Island's population continues to grow faster than
1716-468: The former Whangārei City, Whangārei County and Hikurangi Town councils to administer both the city and its hinterland. The city population was estimated to be 56,800 in June 2024, an increase from 47,000 in 2001. The origin of the name Whangārei is unclear, as a number of pūrākau (Māori traditional stories) are associated with the harbour. One major tradition involves the sisters Reitū and Reipae of
1768-524: The harbour more regularly, Ngāpuhi occupied Whangārei, and the Te Parawhau hapū lived at the head of the harbour. In the 1820s, the area was repeatedly attacked by Waikato and Ngāti Paoa raiders during the Musket Wars . The first European settler was William Carruth, a Scotsman and trader, who arrived in 1839 and was joined six years later by Gilbert Mair and his family. Relations between
1820-660: The islands and linking the Cook Strait to the Tasman Sea . The North Island has an estimated population of 4,077,800 as of June 2024. The North Island had a population of 3,808,005 at the 2023 New Zealand census , an increase of 213,453 people (5.9%) since the 2018 census , and an increase of 570,957 people (17.6%) since the 2013 census . Of the total population, 733,893 people (19.3%) were aged under 15 years, 743,154 (19.5%) were 15 to 29, 1,721,427 (45.2%) were 30 to 64, and 609,534 (16.0%) were 65 or older. Ever since
1872-537: The late 18th century, Ngāpuhi expanded south into the Whangārei area. Captain James Cook and the crew of the Endeavour were the first Europeans to sight the Whangārei Harbour entrance. On 15 November 1769 they caught about a hundred fish in the harbour, which they classified as " bream " (probably snapper ), prompting Cook to name the area Bream Bay . In the early 19th century, when Europeans began visiting
1924-755: The nearby Canopy Bridge. The Hundertwasser Art Centre was built on the site of the former Northland Harbour Board building. The Quarry Arts Centre is located on the edge of the Western Hills in the Avenues. The Hātea Loop walkway is an accessible, circular walkway which connects Town Basin, William Fraser Memorial Park,Te Matau a Pohe, Canopy Bridge, Clapham's Clocks and Reyburn House gallery. The walkway offers marina views and various family friendly outdoor activities. The Whangārei Theatre Company (formerly WOADS) has been staging theatre productions in Whangārei since 1946. They have currently made their home at
1976-414: The plurality in the Auckland region (49.8%) and are the majority in the remaining 39 districts. The proportion of North Islanders born overseas at the 2018 census were 29.3%. The most common foreign countries of birth were England (15.4% of overseas-born residents), Mainland China (11.3%), India (10.1%), South Africa (5.9%), Australia (5.5%) and Samoa (5.3%). The North Island has a larger population than
2028-673: The range's northern saddle abuts the southern end of the Tararuas) to Turakirae Head at the western end of Palliser Bay . The highest peak is Mount Matthews , at 940 metres, near the southern end of the range. Narrow and winding, State Highway 2 crosses the range from the Hutt Valley to Featherston at the saddle where it meets the Tararuas. At the road's summit is a lookout point where there were usually tea rooms and well-guarded facilities maintained by residents. More recently there
2080-604: The remaining cargo operations were transferred to Marsden Point. Northland Regional Council organises the CityLink bus service. This bus service runs eight urban bus routes, with bicycle racks from 1 October 2018. On 20 November 2019, Whangārei became the first city to use Bee Cards . 2% of arrivals and 3% of departures in the Whangārei Central census area were by public bus in 2018. In other neighbouring census areas, even fewer used buses. Intercity operates 3 buses
2132-486: The sea. While he was not looking, his brothers fought over the fish and chopped it up. This great fish became the North Island, and thus a Māori name for the North Island is Te Ika-a-Māui ("The Fish of Māui"). The mountains and valleys are believed to have been formed as a result of Māui's brothers' hacking at the fish. During Captain James Cook 's voyage between 1769 and 1770 , Tahitian navigator Tupaia accompanied
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2184-461: The settlers and local Māori were generally friendly, but in February 1842, all settler farms were plundered in revenge for transgressions of tapu . In April 1845, during the Flagstaff War , all settlers fled from Whangārei. Most of the original settlers never returned, but by the mid-1850s there were a number of farmers and orchardists in the area. From 1855, a small town developed, driven by
2236-491: The town is served by the Whangārei District Court and is also the base of the region's only High Court. State Highway 1 from Auckland to Cape Reinga passes through Whangārei. State Highway 14 from Dargaville connects to State Highway 1 in Whangārei. Whangārei Airport is located 7.4 kilometres (4.6 mi) southeast of the city centre, in the suburb of Onerahi . In July 2013, a second road crossing of
2288-519: The town of the same name. The dome is surrounded by the Parihaka Scenic Reserve. There is road access to the summit of Parihaka and walking tracks through the reserve, and a bridge linking it to Mair Park . The dome is frequently called Mount Parahaki, but the original Māori spelling of Parihaka was confirmed by the government in 2005. The Hatea River flows south through the city and empties into Whangārei Harbour . The river has
2340-623: The valleys of the surrounding area. The suburbs are: Whangārei has an oceanic climate ( Köppen Cfb ). The climate in this area has mild differences between highs and lows. Summer days occasionally exceed 30 °C, and there is plentiful rainfall spread relatively evenly throughout the year. Using the Trewartha classification Whangārei is firmly a maritime subtropical climate due to its absence of winter cold. The Whangārei urban area covers 63.53 km (24.53 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 56,800 as of June 2024, with
2392-718: Was a café. After disputes over toilets and land ownership between the then still new Greater Wellington Regional Council and a series of tenants the building sat empty, was severely damaged by fire in April 2009 and later demolished. Taking a quite separate route the Wairarapa Line railway used to climb across the Remutakas, including the famous Rimutaka Incline , a rare example of the Fell mountain railway system . It opened on 12 August 1878 and closed on 30 October 1955, when it
2444-438: Was about 500 m (1,600 ft) to the north, near Walton Street. The station was enlarged and a refreshment room added in 1912. In 1929, the fastest train took 6 hrs 14 mins from Whangārei to Auckland. From 1956, railcars reduced the journey to 4hrs 10 mins. In 1943, the distance was measured as 129 mi 31 ch (208.2 km). The Whangārei Art Museum is located in the Town Basin. Artisan markets are held at
2496-625: Was formally named on 17 December 2015 when the Minister of Land Information confirmed the decision of the New Zealand Geographic Board. Following the passage of the Rangitāne Tū Mai Rā (Wairarapa Tamaki nui-ā-Rua) Claims Settlement Act 2017, the name of the range officially changed to Remutaka Range. The Remutaka Range runs north-east to south-west for 55 kilometres from the upper reaches of the Hutt Valley (where
2548-610: Was replaced by the Rimutaka Tunnel . The former route is now the popular Remutaka Rail Trail and part of the Remutaka Cycle Trail. The Rimutaka Incline Railway Heritage Trust has plans to rebuild the railway from Maymorn, including the Incline, as a tourist and historical attraction. During World War I over 30,000 New Zealand soldiers marched between military camps at Trentham, Upper Hutt and Featherston via
2600-556: Was spoken by 96.3%, Māori language by 9.6%, Samoan by 0.4% and other languages by 9.6%. No language could be spoken by 2.3% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.7%. The percentage of people born overseas was 19.2, compared with 28.8% nationally. Religious affiliations were 32.9% Christian , 1.4% Hindu , 0.4% Islam , 3.5% Māori religious beliefs , 0.6% Buddhist , 0.5% New Age , 0.1% Jewish , and 1.5% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 51.6%, and 7.6% of people did not answer
2652-618: Was that 19,677 (46.0%) people were employed full-time, 5,100 (11.9%) were part-time, and 1,500 (3.5%) were unemployed. Whangārei is within the Whangārei electorate and the Te Tai Tokerau Māori electorate. The current MP of the Whangārei electorate is Shane Reti of the National Party. The current MP of the Te Tai Tokerau electorate is Mariameno Kapa-Kingi of Te Pāti Māori. At a local level, Whangārei comes under
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#17327796227832704-512: Was the most urbanised area in Northland towards the end of the 19th century, but grew slowly in the 20th century. The district slowly exhausted most of its natural resources but was sustained by agriculture, especially dairying. Shipping was the main transport link until the North Auckland railway line reached the town in 1925, and the road from Auckland was not suitable for travel in poor weather until 1934. These terrestrial travel routes forced
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