78-583: The Coromandel Volcanic Zone ( CVZ ) is an extinct intraplate volcanic arc stretching from Great Barrier Island in the north, through the Coromandel Peninsula , to the Kaimai Range in the south. The area of transition between it and the newer and still active Taupō Volcanic Zone is now usually separated and is called the Tauranga Volcanic Centre . Its volcanic activity was associated with
156-634: A barrier between the Pacific Ocean and the Hauraki Gulf. Entrance to the Hauraki Gulf is via two channels, one on each side of the island. Colville Channel separates the southernmost point, Cape Barrier, from Cape Colville at the northern tip of the Coromandel Peninsula to the south, Cradock Channel from the smaller Little Barrier Island to the west. The island protects the Hauraki Gulf from
234-523: A bimodal basalt to basaltic andesite/rhyolite association developed with major caldera collapse, ignimbrite eruptions, and then post-caldera andesite eruption. This included the Wharepapa Ignimbrite event from the Kapowai Caldera about 8 million years ago. To the south of the large Kapowai Caldera some have located the smaller Wharekawa Caldera. The Tunaiti Caldera, immediately south of Whangamatā
312-578: A century after the whaling industry peaked in New Zealand, and closed due to depletion of whaling stocks and increasing protection of whales by 1962. Another small-scale industry was kauri gum digging, while dairy farming and sheep farming have tended to play a small role compared to the usual New Zealand practice. A fishing industry collapsed when international fish prices dropped. Islanders are generally occupied in tourism, farming or service-related industries when not working off-island. The remote north
390-678: A decrease of 3 people (−0.3%) since the 2013 census , and an increase of 63 people (7.3%) since the 2006 census . There were 531 households, comprising 501 males and 429 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.17 males per female. The median age was 52.6 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 138 people (14.8%) aged under 15 years, 90 (9.7%) aged 15 to 29, 477 (51.3%) aged 30 to 64, and 225 (24.2%) aged 65 or older. Ethnicities were 91.3% European/Pākehā, 20.6% Māori, 2.6% Pacific peoples, 1.3% Asian, and 1.9% other ethnicities. Percentages may add up to more than 100% as people may identify with more than one ethnicity. The percentage of people born overseas
468-542: A government proposal to remove 705 ha of land on the Te Ahumatā Plateau (called "White Cliffs" by the locals) from Schedule 4 of the Crown Minerals Act , which gives protection from the mining of public land, was widely criticised. Concerns were that mining for the suspected $ 4.3 billion in mineral worth in the area would damage both the conservation land as well as the island's tourism economy. Locals were split on
546-503: A maximum length (north-south) of some 43 kilometres (27 mi), it and the Coromandel Peninsula (directly to its south) protect the Gulf from the storms of the Pacific Ocean to the east. Consequently, the island boasts highly contrasting coastal environments. The eastern coast comprises long, sandy beaches, windswept sand-dunes, and at times heavy surf. The western coast, sheltered and calm,
624-557: A new communications cable was laid to the mainland, which made the pigeon post redundant. Another major wreck lies in the far southeast, the SS Wiltshire . Over time, more and more of the island came under the stewardship of the Department of Conservation (DOC) or its predecessors. Partly this was land that had belonged to the Crown since the 1800s, while other parts were sold or donated like
702-514: A passenger, car and freight ferry. This ferry operates from Wynyard Wharf in Auckland City to Tryphena (several times weekly). Sailing time is approximately four and a half hours. Other ways to access the island include by seaplane or water taxi . Institutions and services are primarily provided by the Auckland Council , the local authority. Services and infrastructure like roads and
780-434: A population density of 630 people per km . Before the 2023 census, Waihi had a smaller boundary, covering 9.40 km (3.63 sq mi). Using that boundary, Waihi had a population of 5,403 at the 2018 New Zealand census , an increase of 741 people (15.9%) since the 2013 census , and an increase of 783 people (16.9%) since the 2006 census . There were 2,223 households, comprising 2,604 males and 2,790 females, giving
858-710: A population of 2,148 at the 2018 New Zealand census , an increase of 336 people (18.5%) since the 2013 census , and an increase of 366 people (20.5%) since the 2006 census . There were 834 households, comprising 1,074 males and 1,077 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.0 males per female. The median age was 47.4 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 408 people (19.0%) aged under 15 years, 282 (13.1%) aged 15 to 29, 1,035 (48.2%) aged 30 to 64, and 426 (19.8%) aged 65 or older. Ethnicities were 91.8% European/ Pākehā , 15.9% Māori , 1.8% Pacific peoples , 2.0% Asian , and 2.0% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity. The percentage of people born overseas
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#1732851030231936-532: A relative haven for native bird and plant populations. Rare animals found on the island include brown teal ducks, black petrel seabirds and kākā parrots. Great Barrier Island has two marae affiliated with the local iwi of Ngāti Rehua and Ngātiwai : the Kawa Marae and its Rehua meeting house, and Motairehe Marae and its Whakaruruhau meeting house. In October 2020, the Government committed $ 313,007 from
1014-513: A roll of 97. Waihi East Primary School is a contributing Year 1–6 primary school, established in 1907, with a roll of 219. St Joseph's Catholic School is a full Year 1–8 primary state integrated school with a roll of 47. All these schools are coeducational. The roll numbers are as of August 2024. In March 2016 a renumbering project was put into place by Hauraki District Council halving Waihi streets such as Union Street, Rosemont Road, Seddon Avenue and Toomey Street in order to meet demands by
1092-475: A sex ratio of 0.93 males per female, with 930 people (17.2%) aged under 15 years, 729 (13.5%) aged 15 to 29, 2,196 (40.6%) aged 30 to 64, and 1,542 (28.5%) aged 65 or older. Ethnicities were 82.7% European/ Pākehā , 23.0% Māori , 3.7% Pacific peoples , 4.6% Asian , and 1.4% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity. The percentage of people born overseas was 15.8, compared with 27.1% nationally. Although some people chose not to answer
1170-455: A total of 160 km of tunnels had been driven into the quartz of Martha Hill, not because the Martha had run out of gold, but rather because of fixed gold prices, lack of manpower, and increasing costs. Mining in the Coromandel Peninsula had otherwise ceased by the 1980s. However, mining later resumed, with some protests against it during the 1987 consent process. Plans to stop operations in
1248-477: Is 627 metres (2,057 ft) above sea level. Great Barrier is surrounded by several smaller islands, including Kaikoura Island , Rakitu Island , Aiguilles Island and Dragon Island . A number of islands are located in Great Barrier bays, including Motukahu Island, Nelson Island, Kaikoura Island, Broken Islands, Motutaiko Island, Rangiahua Island, Little Mahuki Island, Mahuki Island and Junction Islands. With
1326-536: Is believed to be about 7 million years old and has pre-caldera andesites and dacites, and later dacites and rhyolite domes and flows. Then between 6 and 5.5 million years ago bimodal eruptions of basalt to basaltic andesite as well as rhyolite and rhyolitic ignimbrite began once more. This formed the volcanic structures around Waihi later important in precious metal discoveries due to subsequent hydrothermal mineral deposit formation. As activity decreased between 4.7 and 4.2 million years ago it became entirely basaltic with
1404-399: Is free of some of the more troublesome introduced pests that plague the native ecosystems of other parts of New Zealand. While it does have wild cats, feral pigs, black rats ( R. rattus ), Polynesian rats ( R. exulans ), mice and rabbits, there are no possums , mustelids (weasels, stoats or ferrets), hedgehogs, brown rats ( R. norvegicus ), deer or (since 2006) feral goats, thus being
1482-423: Is home to hundreds of tiny, secluded bays which offer some of the best diving and boating in the country. The inland holds several large and biologically diverse wetlands , along with rugged hill country (bush or heath in the more exposed heights), as well as old-growth and regenerating kauri forests. Surrounding islands and islets: Much of Great Barrier Island is formed from remnants of volcanoes associated with
1560-608: Is in operation near the processing plant to the east of Waihi. The mining company have stated that it is impossible to create the lake while underground operations are occurring near the site because the low-level water table connects with the underground mine which has to be de-watered. In the late 1990s several properties had to be condemned and roads such as Brickfield Road, Pipe Lane, Junction Road and parts of Bulltown Road, Hobson Street, Grey Street, Slevin Street, Newman Street, Barry Road, and main road Seddon Avenue permanently closed after
1638-566: Is often regarded as the westernmost point of the Bay of Plenty region. To the west are the hills of the Kaimai Ranges . Road access from this direction is through the winding Karangahake Gorge road. Waihi has a warm and temperate climate but unusually high rainfall for New Zealand's east coast with an average annual rainfall of 2147 mm. Waihi covers 9.55 km (3.69 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 6,020 as of June 2024, with
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#17328510302311716-591: Is part of Pare Hauraki area. OceanaGold currently operates the Favona, Trio and Correnso underground gold and silver mines under the eastern end of the Waihi township. The Correnso underground mine is the current active operation and is producing approximately 100,000 ounces of gold each year. The Martha open pit is not currently active due to a slip on the north wall in April 2016, but continues to draw large tourist numbers visiting
1794-488: Is postulated that the Kapowai Caldera, the largest in the zone, located in the centre of the Coromandel Range (peaks of Table mountain, The Pinnacles, Tanehua) formed. This is part of a rhyolitic transition that can be seen from Whitianga to Whangamatā on the western side of the zone but it is notable that some of the eastern Whitianga rhyolites are younger than some further south. In the period 9 to 7 million years ago
1872-663: Is the caldera of a complex rhyolite dome volcano , which was active between 12 and 8 million years ago. Great Barrier Island has been linked to the North Island for most of the last 18 million years, by a land bridge to the south along the Colville Channel . Approximately 17,000 years ago during the Last Glacial Maximum , the Hauraki Gulf was a low lying coastal plain as sea levels were over 100 metres lower than present day levels. During this period, Great Barrier Island
1950-537: The Coromandel Volcanic Zone . The North Great Barrier Volcano, which was centred to the north of the modern island from Whangapoua Bay northwards, formed through events between 18 and 17 million years ago; some of the earliest vulcanism which occurred in the zone. The Great Barrier Volcano formed to the west of the modern island between 15 and 12 million years ago. Much of the modern island is this volcano's eroded eastern flanks. The third volcano, Mount Hobson ,
2028-549: The Kaimai Tunnel . It opened in 1978, making the line through Waihi redundant, but the Goldfields Railway was established to save the six kilometres of railway between Waihi and Waikino . The railway continues to operate today as Goldfields Railway and is a popular tourist attraction. In the 1970s Waihi saw a large influx of hippies in search of environmentally friendly alternative lifestyles settle there and around
2106-494: The New Zealand Correspondence School . Many children leave the island when they reach secondary school age to attend boarding school on the mainland. Previously, the lack of secondary schooling was cited as one of the reasons for a slow exodus of long-term resident families. As part of Auckland the rules governing daily activities and applicable standards for civic works and services exists, shared with some of
2184-573: The Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade Kawa Marae, creating 6 jobs. In 2017, Aotea / Great Barrier Island was accredited as a Dark Sky Sanctuary by the International Dark-Sky Association . This designation is given for sites in very remote locations to increase awareness of their dark sky characteristics and promote long term conservation. At the time, it was the third International Dark Sky Sanctuary to be designated, and
2262-590: The Taupō Volcanic Zone . These eruptions will have buried on land any older volcanics that were related to the southern end of the Coromandel Volcanic Zone. Offshore tephra deposits suggest the start of a composition change, at 4.5 million years ago, about the time the Waihi Caldera was active, and well before the end of Coromandel Volcanic Zone activity if this was at Bowentown. Activity began in
2340-454: The Waikino area. These young counterculture proponents brought with them numerous cottage industries which helped supplement Waihi's economy. The Nambassa rock and alternative festivals were held around Waihi and Waikino between 1975 and 1982, increasing the population by around 10,000–75,000 for a few days each year and bringing revenue to the town. Temporary tent cities were established on
2418-698: The ocean surface waves and the currents of the South Pacific Gyre . It is not a sandbar barrier , often defined as the correct use of the term. The island's English name stems from its location on the outskirts of the Hauraki Gulf. With an area of 285 square kilometres (110 sq mi), Great Barrier Island is the sixth-largest island in New Zealand after the South Island , the North Island , Stewart Island / Rakiura , Chatham Island , and Auckland Island . The highest point, Mount Hobson or Hirakimatā ,
Coromandel Volcanic Zone - Misplaced Pages Continue
2496-522: The 17th century after conquering Aotea from people of Ngāti Manaia and Kawerau descent. In the mid-19th century during the early Colonial era of New Zealand , extensive private and crown land purchases meant only two areas of the Hauraki Gulf remained in Māori ownership: Te Huruhi ( Surfdale ) on Waiheke Island (2100 acres) on Waiheke and a 3,510 acre parcel of land at Katherine Bay on Great Barrier Island. Early European interest followed discovery of copper in
2574-409: The 2000s were eventually shelved as well, and the mines new owner OceanaGold is investing in extending the further economic life of the mine and the underground operations. As of 2009, the mine constituted 25–30% of the local economy. The Golden Cross mine was a gold and silver mine in the neighbouring Waitekauri Valley. It first operated as an underground gold mine from 1895 to 1920. Gold and silver
2652-506: The Cornish Pumphouse to a site 300 metres (980 ft) away was started in 2006 with the installation of internal steel bracing and the building of a relocation causeway. Later in the year, the building, weighing 1,840 tonnes, was moved over the course of three months along teflon-coated concrete beams to its present location, which is easily accessible via a footpath from Seddon Street. Some internal steel bracing remains installed in
2730-482: The Coromandel Volcanic Zone. For example, some of the volcanics are broadly contemporaneous in age, composition and orientation north south, with eruptions at 16 million years ago at Stony Batter , Waiheke Island , however Stony Batter has been active much more recently. Thus the tectonic processes involved in the formation of the Hauraki Rift and Coromandel Volcanic Zone in the continent of Zealandia have moved from
2808-535: The East Coromandel Rift. The formation of the Taupō Rift and the old Taupō Volcanic Zone about 2 million years ago terminated significant activity in the Coromandel Volcanic Zone. However it is important to recognise that the Tauranga Volcanic Centre and its postulated Omanawa Caldera at the intersection of the two rifts, have likely relationships to the location of the more recent north eastern caldera's of
2886-534: The Martha Company. By 1882 the first battery to break gold-bearing rock was in operation. The Martha Mine eventually grew into one of the world's most important gold and silver mines, after industrial cyanide processes made recovering gold from the low-grade ores easier. Waihi prospered with the mine, by 1908 being the fastest-growing town in the Auckland Province, three times the size of Hamilton . Waihi
2964-645: The NZ Post office making it easier to find addresses. New street names include Amaranth Street, Montrose Road and Park Lane. Parry Palm Avenue which begins at the entrance from Paeroa now expands to the Martin Road and Baber Street intersection while Kenny Street becomes Waihi's longest road beginning at the infamous 'Rocket Park' (Victoria Park) expanding to the Waihi/Whangamata road. The renumbering project affected 143 Waihi properties and 650 Waihi residents. Montrose Road
3042-455: The Northern end of Waihi on farms up Landlyst Rd at Golden Valley, to accommodate festival goers. In the late 1980s a new open pit started operations over the top of the old underground mine. This operation is nearing its completion, however recent plans to cutback the pit wall and recent underground mining have postponed the promised lake and recreational area. A new underground mine called Favona
3120-419: The building was registered as a Historic Place Category 1 with Heritage New Zealand due to its historical importance as one of the country's principal industrial monuments. In 2001, the area surrounding the pumphouse was fenced off, following subsidence in nearby Barry Road. Investigations reached the conclusion that the only way to protect the building was to relocate it to a safer site. The operation to move
3198-476: The census's question about religious affiliation, 53.6% had no religion, 31.8% were Christian , 1.7% had Māori religious beliefs , 0.7% were Hindu , 0.2% were Muslim , 0.6% were Buddhist and 2.8% had other religions. Of those at least 15 years old, 402 (9.0%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 1,320 (29.5%) people had no formal qualifications. 297 people (6.6%) earned over $ 70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15
Coromandel Volcanic Zone - Misplaced Pages Continue
3276-494: The current growth is younger native forest (around 150,000 kauri seedlings were planted by the New Zealand Forest Service in the 1970s and 1980s) as well as some remaining kauri in the far north of the island. Much of the island is covered with regenerating bush dominated by kanuka and kauri. Great Barrier Island was the site of New Zealand's last whaling station, at Whangaparapara , which opened in 1956, over
3354-406: The first island sanctuary. Barrier Islands statistical area, which includes Little Barrier Island and Mokohinau Islands although they have no permanent inhabitants, covers 320.41 km (123.71 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 1,230 as of June 2024, with a population density of 3.8 people per km . Barrier Islands had a population of 930 at the 2018 New Zealand census ,
3432-619: The formation and most active period of the Hauraki Rift . The Coromandel Volcanic Zone is generally older than the currently still active Hauraki and Taupō Rifts . This has implications as the widening of the Hauraki Rift was most about 5.5 million years ago, so the Kiwitahi volcanics (called by some the Kiwitahi Volcanic Zone), which occur west of the Coromandel Peninsula and the Hauraki Rift are probably best regarded as related to
3510-569: The island was seen around the world as the setting for the BBC One reality show Castaway , which was filmed there for three months. There are two airfields on the island, Great Barrier Aerodrome at Claris and Okiwi Airfield . Barrier Air operates services from Auckland Airport , North Shore Aerodrome , and Tauranga to Claris. Flight time is approximately 30 minutes from Auckland Airport. Sunair operates between Claris and Hamilton , Tauranga , Whangārei and Whitianga . SeaLink operates
3588-463: The land under them subsided as a result of the collapse of old underground mine workings, with visible holes and cracks on the surface. In December 2001, a home adjacent to Martha Pit collapsed into historical workings, 14 neighbouring homes were affected, some never able to return to get personal belongings. Another 31 homes were also bought once more areas were identified to be at high, medium or low risk of collapse into historical workings adjacent to
3666-462: The local community in terms of consultation and financial assistance. This has, amongst other things, led to the mine management company, Newmont Waihi Gold, receiving the 'Advanced Sustainable Business Award' from Environment Waikato , the Regional Council of the area. Despite all these attempts some of the mine's neighbours do not qualify for compensation for the mine's impact. Mining remains
3744-460: The logs to the sea or to sawmills. Kauri logs were dragged to a convenient stream bed with steep sides and a driving dam was constructed of wood, with a lifting gate near the bottom large enough for the logs to pass through. When the dam had filled, which might take up to a year, the gate was opened and the logs above the dam were pushed out through the hole and swept down to the sea. The logging industry cut down large amounts of old growth, and most of
3822-518: The major employer in the area thanks to the company postponing the long promised mine closure and lake formation in 2007. OceanaGold will stay until 2017 when consents expire, unless they find more resources when they will apply to stay. Until the electrical appliance industry was deregulated in New Zealand in the 1980s, Waihi had a television assembly plant operated first by Akrad then by Philips which employed 400 locally and 1500 nationwide. Waihi has one marae, Waihi Community Marae. Waihi Town
3900-403: The mining operations since the discovery of gold in 1878 by prospectors John McCombie and Robert Lee. The samples of rock they had sent to be assayed were not considered worthwhile, so they left the area. Their claim was taken over by William Nicholl in 1879. He marked out 5 acres (20,000 m ), calling his claim 'Martha' after a family member. Several smaller claims were later merged to form
3978-594: The modern Taupō Volcanic Zone and Kermadec Ridge. Geothermal activity is still present in the Zone, with hot springs in several places, including at Hot Water Beach , on the central east coast between Whitianga and Tairua and on the south western margins of the Zone near Te Aroha where there is only natural soda water geyser in the world. There are mineral deposits such as gold in quartz reefs associated with past geothermal and volcanic processes. Great Barrier Island Great Barrier Island ( Māori : Aotea ) lies in
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#17328510302314056-620: The more than 10% of the island (located in the northern bush area, with some of the largest remaining kauri forests) that was gifted to the Crown by farmer Max Burrill in 1984. DOC has created a large number of walking tracks through the island, some of which are also open for mountain biking. The Aotea Conservation Park has the only multi-day wilderness walk in the Auckland region, boasting two DOC huts and numerous campsites. The Park spreads over more than 12,000 hectares and offers multiple walking tracks for novice and experienced walkers. The island
4134-496: The north around 18 million years ago, and was primarily andesitic in an intraplate volcanic arc until around 9–10 million years ago. The oldest volcanic rocks at the northern tip of the Coromandel Peninsula are the Port Charles andesites that are dated from about 18 million years ago. With time, the volcanism tended to move southwards at 8 mm (0.31 in)/year and eastwards at 3 mm (0.12 in)/year. After this stage it
4212-542: The north to the south over the last 20 million years. The Coromandel Volcanic Zone includes back arc volcanoes that are related to historic but distinct fault structures such as the Hauraki Fault, which is along the eastern side of the zone. The undersea western side of the Coromandel Volcanic Zone has a parallel structure to the Hauraki basin and plains also of late Miocene /Quaternary origin extending north, that has been called
4290-655: The other inhabited islands of the Hauraki Gulf. Driving rules are the same as for the rest of NZ and registration and a Warrant of Fitness are required for all vehicles. For example, every transport service operated solely on the island, the Chatham Islands , or Stewart Island/Rakiura is exempt from section 70C of the Transport Act 1962, the requirements for drivers to maintain driving-hours logbooks. Drivers subject to section 70B must nevertheless keep records of their driving hours in some form. Rules governing dog control are
4368-499: The outer Hauraki Gulf , New Zealand , 100 kilometres (62 mi) north-east of central Auckland . With an area of 285 square kilometres (110 sq mi) it is the sixth-largest island of New Zealand and fourth-largest in the main chain. Its highest point, Mount Hobson , is 627 metres (2,057 ft) above sea level. The local authority is the Auckland Council . The island was initially exploited for its minerals and kauri trees and saw only limited agriculture. In 2013, it
4446-445: The pit and nearby Pumphouse at the top of Waihi's main street. Waihi College is a Year 7–13 secondary school with a roll of 609. The college was established as a District High School in 1932 and became a Forms 3–7 College in 1954. It moved to its current site in 1959. In 1976 it extended its roll to cover forms 1 and 2. Forms 1–7 are now known as years 7–13. Waihi Central School is a contributing Year 1–6 primary school, school with
4524-484: The pit. Today the mine's smoko room sits near this site. Noise, dust, blasting vibrations continue to cause stress for some residents as operations in the pit continue. The iconic Pumphouse has been moved to ensure its safety which also allows for the mine pit to be widened and more gold retrieved from the site the pumphouse was originally housed. Mine management has received positive responses for its rigorous environmental effects control procedures and its commitment to
4602-431: The project, some hoping for new jobs. If restarted, mining at White Cliffs would occur in the same area it originally proliferated on Great Barrier. The area's regenerating bushland still holds numerous semi-collapsed or open mining shafts where silver and gold had been mined. The kauri logging industry was profitable in early European days and up to the mid-20th century. Forests were well inland, with no easy way to get
4680-570: The remote north, where New Zealand's earliest mines were established at Miners Head in 1842. Traces of these mines remain, largely accessible only by boat. Later, gold and silver were found in the Okupu / Whangaparapara area in the 1890s, and the remains of a stamping battery on the Whangaparapara Road are a remainder of this time. The sound of the battery working was reputedly audible from the Coromandel Peninsula , 20 km away. In early 2010,
4758-507: The same as for Auckland. Dogs must be kept on a lead in all public places. Waihi Waihi is a town in Hauraki District in the North Island of New Zealand , especially notable for its history as a gold mine town. The town is at the foot of the Coromandel Peninsula , close to the western end of the Bay of Plenty . The nearby resort town of Waihi Beach , ten kilometres to the east,
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#17328510302314836-489: The south-west, Port Fitzroy and Ōkiwi in the north, and Claris and Medlands in the south-east. The population swells substantially from October to May. The island has become a favourite holiday destination in the darker months, due its superbly dark sky and the astrophotography and stargazing opportunities this offers. In 2017 the island was given Dark Sky Sanctuary status by the IDA. Its relative remoteness offers solitude, and
4914-402: The sustainable off-grid lifestyle of its inhabitants is something many visitors like to experience. Without reticulated electricity, most houses use solar panels and a battery bank to generate and store power. Wind and water turbines and solar water heaters are also used. Diesel generators, which used to be the main power source, are now mostly used as back-up. From the end of February 2007,
4992-515: The transition to the Tauranga Volcanic Centre geographically. However compositional analysis suggests Bowentown rhyolites have much in common with the Minden rhyolites of the Tauranga Volcanic Centre so may belong with this centre. The extinct undersea Colville Ridge , which has been dated to 5.4 million years before present is part of the Coromandel Volcanic Zone and can be associated with
5070-542: The volcanics of the eastern Mercury Islands being typical before the transitioned into early activity in the Taupō Volcanic Zone. Some of the later activity in the Coromandel Volcanic Zone and its interface with the Taupō Volcanic Zone is obscured by subsequent large scale events. It was suspected to have continued in the south to at least 2.5 million years ago with the Bowentown rhyolites south of Waihi Beach marking
5148-496: The wharves at Tryphena and Whangaparapara are subsidised, with the island receiving about $ 4 in services for every $ 1 in rates. The Port FitzRoy wharf is owned by the North Barrier Residents and Ratepayers Association. There are three primary schools: Mulberry Grove School at Tryphena, Kaitoke School at Claris, and Okiwi School. There is no secondary school, but there is a learning hub to assist students who learn through
5226-516: Was $ 21,300, compared with $ 31,800 nationally. 48 people (6.1%) earned over $ 70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 279 (35.2%) people were employed full-time, 168 (21.2%) were part-time, and 57 (7.2%) were unemployed. The population lives mostly in coastal settlements. Tryphena , in Tryphena Harbour at the southern end, is the largest settlement. Other communities are Okupu and Whangaparapara in
5304-459: Was $ 28,800, compared with $ 31,800 nationally. 246 people (14.1%) earned over $ 70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 789 (45.3%) people were employed full-time, 342 (19.7%) were part-time, and 66 (3.8%) were unemployed. Waihi is located in the Coromandel district, which was one of the great gold mining districts of the world. The township grew around
5382-447: Was 15.1, compared with 27.1% nationally. Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 58.0% had no religion, 31.8% were Christian , 0.1% had Māori religious beliefs , 0.4% were Hindu , 0.4% were Buddhist and 1.3% had other religions. Of those at least 15 years old, 225 (12.9%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 390 (22.4%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income
5460-424: Was 18.4, compared with 27.1% nationally. Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 62.6% had no religion, 24.5% were Christian, 1.3% had Māori religious beliefs , 1.0% were Buddhist and 1.6% had other religions. Of those at least 15 years old, 144 (18.2%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 144 (18.2%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income
5538-481: Was also a major centre of union unrest in New Zealand during the early years of the 20th century. The 1912 miners' strike led to violence, including the death of unionist Fred Evans in an incident which still causes some resentment in the town. By 1952, when the mighty Martha Mine closed, around 5.6 million ounces (174,160 kg) of gold and 38.4 million ounces (1,193,180 kg) of silver had been produced from 11,932,000 tonnes of ore. Mining stopped in 1952 after
5616-401: Was bordered by the two major river systems that flowed on the plain. Over the past two million years, Great Barrier has periodically been an island and a peninsula. Great Barrier Island (Aotea) is the ancestral land of Ngāti Rehua Ngātiwai ki Aotea who are the tangata whenua (people of the land) and mana whenua (territorial land rights holders) of Aotea. Ngāti Rehua have occupied Aotea since
5694-539: Was inhabited by 939 people, mostly living from farming and tourism and all living off-the-grid. The majority of the island (around 60% of the total area) is administered as a nature reserve by the Department of Conservation . The island atmosphere is sometimes described as being "life in New Zealand many decades back". The Māori name of the island is Aotea . It received its English name from Captain Cook because it acts as
5772-489: Was mined by underground and open pit methods from 1991 to 1998. In November 1905, a branch line railway was opened to Waihi from Paeroa ; this eventually evolved into the East Coast Main Trunk Railway , which reached Taneatua in 1928. By the 1960s, traffic volumes for the port of Tauranga had outgrown the capacity of the circuitous line through Waihi and a deviation to the south was built, including
5850-562: Was originally going to be named Nicholl Street in honour of William Nicholl who developed the Martha Mine, but was at fault due to a last minute change. The "Cornish Pumphouse" was originally built in a different location next to the Martha Mine in 1904 to accommodate a large Cornish steam engine designed to pump water out of the mine. The building's design originated from one used in tin mines in Cornwall, England. The horizontal Cornish pump
5928-495: Was that 1,455 (32.5%) people were employed full-time, 690 (15.4%) were part-time, and 225 (5.0%) were unemployed. Waihi Rural statistical area, which includes Waikino and Whiritoa , covers 375.57 km (145.01 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 2,600 as of June 2024, with a population density of 6.9 people per km . Before the 2023 census, Waihi Rural had a larger boundary, covering 375.75 km (145.08 sq mi). Using that boundary, Waihi Rural had
6006-466: Was the site of the sinking of the SS Wairarapa around midnight of 29 October 1894. This was one of New Zealand's worst shipwrecks, with about 140 lives lost, some of them buried in two beach grave sites in the far north. As a result, a Great Barrier Island pigeon post service was set up, the first message being flown on 14 May 1897. Special postage stamps were issued from October 1898 until 1908, when
6084-408: Was used up to 1913 to raise water from a depth of around 400 metres (1,300 ft) via the adjacent No 5 shaft at a rate of over 400,000 litres per hour. After 1913, electric pumps were used to dewater the mine, but the pumphose was kept in working order until 1929 as a backup. From the 1930s onwards, the building had been stripped of all machinery and left in an increasingly derelict state. In 1983,
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