Waikawau
Waikawau | |
|---|---|
Locality | |
 | |
| Coordinates: 38°28′19″S 174°40′52″E / 38.472°S 174.681°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Waikato region |
| Territorial authority | Waitomo District |
| Ward | Rural |
| Electorates | |
| Government | |
| • Territorial Authority | Waitomo District Council |
| • Regional council | Waikato Regional Council |
| • Mayor of Waitomo | John Robertson[1] |
| • Taranaki-King Country MP | Barbara Kuriger[2] |
| • Hauraki-Waikato MP | Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke[3] |
| Population (2023 census) | |
• Territorial | 51 |
| Time zone | UTC+12 (NZST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+13 (NZDT) |
Waikawau is a rural community in the Waitomo District and Waikato region of New Zealand's North Island, beside Waikawau River.[4]
There are also small settlements of the same name on both the west[5] and east[6] coasts of Coromandel.
It features the only publicly accessible beach between Marokopa and Awakino. The only way to access the beach is through a walking track and farming tunnel,[7] which was dug through sandstone cliffs by three men in 1911.[8]
The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "water of the shag" for Waikawau.[9]
The area has been a popular spot for freedom camping during whitebait season and summer.[10] Signs were put in place in 2015, advising visitors it is illegal to camp on private land.[11]
The New Zealand endemic plant, Dracophyllum strictum, grows extensively in the area.[12]
Demographics
[edit]Waikawau is astride meshblocks 1016301 and 1016400, which had a population of 51 people in the 2023 census.[13]
The Awakino-Waikawau locality covers 286.22 km2 (110.51 sq mi)[14] and is covered at Awakino#Demographics. The locality is part of the larger Herangi statistical area.[15]
Education
[edit]Whareorino School is a co-educational state primary school covering years 1 to 8,[16] with a roll of 4 as of March 2025.[17][18] The school was open by 1930.[19]
References
[edit]- ^ "Elected Members". Waitomo District Council. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
- ^ "Taranaki-King Country - Official Result". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 8 March 2025.
- ^ "Hauraki-Waikato – Official Result". New Zealand Electoral Commission. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
- ^ Hariss, Gavin. "Waikawau, Waikato". topomap.co.nz. NZ Topo Map.
- ^ "Waikawau, Waikato". NZ Topo Map. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
- ^ "Waikawau, Waikato". NZ Topo Map. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
- ^ "Waitomo Walks" (PDF). waitomo.govt.nz. Waitomo District Council.
- ^ Pollock, Kerryn. "Waikawau tunnel and beach". Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Ministry for Culture and Heritage.
- ^ "1000 Māori place names". New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage. 6 August 2019.
- ^ Nyika, Ruby (4 November 2018). "Crackdown on freedom camping in Waitomo ahead of summer". Stuff. Waikato Times.
- ^ Tucker, Jim (6 August 2015). "Camper ban on whitebait fans". New Zealand Media and Entertainment. The New Zealand Herald.
- ^ Winder, Virginia (2 May 2014). "Rich in love and laughs". Stuff. Taranaki Daily News.
- ^ "Stats NZ Geographic Data Service". 2023 Census electoral population at meshblock level (2025 Meshblock). Retrieved 9 May 2025.
- ^ "Stats NZ Geographic Data Service". Statistical Area 1 2023 (generalised). Retrieved 9 May 2025.
- ^ "Geographic Boundary Viewer". Stats NZ. Statistical Area 1 – 2023 and Statistical Area 2 – 2023.
- ^ Education Counts: Whareorino School
- ^ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
- ^ "Education Review Office Report". ero.govt.nz. Education Review Office.
- ^ "Otorohanga—Grant for School "Bach"". Waikato Times. 14 May 1930.