54-562: Ruatoria ( Māori : Ruatōria ) is a town in the Waiapu Valley of the Gisborne Region in the northeastern corner of New Zealand's North Island . The town was originally known as Cross Roads then Manutahi and was later named Ruatorea in 1913, after the Māori Master female grower Tōrea who had some of the finest storage pits in her Iwi at the time (Te-Rua-a-Tōrea). In 1925 the name
108-555: A NZ$ 110 million financial redress, and the return of sites culturally significant to the iwi totally approximately 5,898 hectares (14,570 acres). Ngāti Porou have a number of whakataukī or pēpeha (sayings or proverbs) relating to Waiapu Valley. These include: NB: This section is based on text from Mackay, Joseph Angus (1949). Historic Poverty Bay and the East Coast, N.I., N.Z , available here at The New Zealand Electronic Text Centre . There were several “ gold rushes ” in
162-584: A Ngāpuhi war party, and been made their slave in the Bay of Islands . He escaped several years later, and was protected by the missionaries , who introduced him to Christianity , and taught him to read and write. When he returned to the Waiapu Valley in 1834, he introduced his people to the religion. Richard Taylor's drawing of the church, done after visiting in April 1839, can be viewed here . Whakawhitirā Pā , in which
216-440: A bridge was built from Tikitiki to Waiomatatini , to the protest of local Māori who were concerned that it would disturb the taniwha. The night before the bridge was completed, a storm came washing the bridge away — the weather till then had been calm. From then, one person would drown in the river nearly every year. If it did not happen one year, two would drown the next. A local tohunga , George Gage (Hori Te Kou-o-rehua Keeti)
270-406: A number of bridges in the valley have had to be raised to accommodate their rising riverbeds. As the riverbed rises, so does the river, which is causing extensive riverbank erosion. The banks eroded at a rate of 8 metres (26 ft) per year between 1988 and 1997. By the 2003 to 2008 period this rate had doubled, with 22 metres (72 ft) per year eroding in 2005 and 2006. This erosion threatens
324-630: A population of 759 at the 2018 New Zealand census , an increase of 36 people (5.0%) since the 2013 census , and an increase of 36 people (5.0%) since the 2006 census . There were 225 households, comprising 396 males and 363 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.09 males per female, with 243 people (32.0%) aged under 15 years, 165 (21.7%) aged 15 to 29, 282 (37.2%) aged 30 to 64, and 66 (8.7%) aged 65 or older. Ethnicities were 95.3% Māori , 20.6% European/ Pākehā , 3.6% Pacific peoples , 2.4% Asian , and 0.8% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity. Although some people chose not to answer
378-412: A safe place. When it turned out that the metal was only mundic, Reupane became an object of ridicule, and, afterwards, was known as “Tommy Poorfellow.” The area was home to politician Sir Āpirana Ngata , and Te Moananui-a-Kiwa Ngārimu — the second of three Māori to receive a Victoria Cross . New Zealand State Highway 35 State Highway 35 ( SH 35 ) is a New Zealand state highway on
432-464: Is a Year 1–13 co-educational public school with a roll of 124 students as of August 2024. The area was home to politician Sir Āpirana Ngata , and Te Moananui-a-Kiwa Ngārimu — the second of three Māori to receive a Victoria Cross . Waiapu Valley Waiapu Valley , also known as the Waiapu catchment , Waiapu River valley or simply Waiapu , is a valley in the north of the Gisborne Region on
486-508: Is heavy all year-round, yet is particularly prodigious in the austral winter months from May to September. On 7 February 1973, Ruatoria had the highest ever air temperature recorded in the North Island (39.2 °C or 102.6 °F), the same day the nation's highest temperature was recorded in the South Island town of Rangiora (42.4 °C or 108.3 °F). The principal industries in
540-576: Is now Tuparoa Road. (The shop has been dismantled after his death in 1960) He is buried with his third wife in the cemetery at Mahora on the Tuparoa road just before the junction with the side road to Reparoa. (His first and second wives were of the Gerrard family of Tuparoa and are buried in the cemetery at the top of the hill on the northern side of the creek which separated the old Tuparoa settlement). From about 1925 onwards, Ruatoria began to replace Tuparoa as
594-501: Is sparsely inhabited, with a population density in 2002 of approximately 1.15/km (3.0/sq mi) — less than 8% of the national average at the time (approximately 14.71/km or 38.09/sq mi). The population of the valley is centred in Ruatoria , though the area contains a large number of small settlements. In the 2006 census , Ruatoria had a population of 756 — down 9.7% since 2001, and 94.8% of its population were Māori , with 46% of
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#1733086164166648-508: Is the iwi's most important icon, and in Māori mythology , was the first part of the North Island to emerge when Māui , an ancestor of Ngāti Porou, pulled it as a giant fish from the ocean. According to these beliefs, his waka , Nukutaimemeha , became stranded on the mountain, and lies petrified near the mountain's summit. Nine whakairo (carvings) depicting Māui and his whānau were erected on
702-531: Is used. Approximately one sixth of the annual sediment flow in all New Zealand river systems is in the Waiapu River, which continues to be one of the most sediment laden rivers in the world. The annual suspended sediment load is 36 million tonnes, and 90.47 m (3,195 cu ft) of sediment flows into the sea every second. Anecdotal evidence suggests that this sediment may have adversely affected nearby coastal and marine environments. Gravel deposited by
756-607: The 2013 census , and a decrease of 54 people (−4.2%) since the 2006 census . There were 405 households, comprising 666 males and 567 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.17 males per female. The median age was 32.8 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 336 people (27.3%) aged under 15 years, 243 (19.7%) aged 15 to 29, 498 (40.4%) aged 30 to 64, and 156 (12.7%) aged 65 or older. Ethnicities were 22.4% European/ Pākehā , 94.2% Māori , 2.9% Pacific peoples , 1.2% Asian , and 0.7% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity. The percentage of people born overseas
810-598: The East Cape Lighthouse . By road it is 128 km (80 mi) from Gisborne, 3 km (1.9 mi) off State Highway 35 . It is at the bottom of the Waiapu Valley on the banks of the Waiapu River just downstream of where the river is formed by the joining of the Mata and Tapuaeroa Rivers . Precipitation is prodigiously high — the annual average precipitation total approaches 2,000 mm (79 in). Precipitation
864-627: The Paoaruku stream . A tributary of the Mata River, the Waitahaia River , is renowned for its brown trout — a European species of fish introduced into New Zealand for fishing in the late 1860s. In 1840, approximately 80% of the Waiapu Valley was native forest, with a rich array of native flora and fauna . There was a small area to the east of the river covered in coastal forest and scrub due to partial clearance and burning. Between 1890 and 1930 there
918-527: The Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade 29 Ngāti Porou marae, including Te Aowera Marae, Te Horo, Kariaka, Rauru, Umariki, Mangahanea , Mangarua, Reporua and Ruataupare Marae. It also committed $ 273,890 to upgrade Uepohatu Marae and $ 232,227 to upgrade Hiruharama Marae. Ngata Memorial College is a Year 1–13 co-educational public school with a roll of 126 students as of August 2024. The college opened in 1959. Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Waiu O Ngati Porou
972-750: The Waiapu and Matakaoa wards of the Gisborne District Council , with the southernmost area in the Waikohu and Uawa wards . Some of the most Western points fall within the Coast Ward of the Opotiki District Council in the Bay of Plenty Region . The area is of immense cultural, spiritual, economic, and traditional significance to the local iwi , Ngāti Porou , and in 2002 approximately 90% of its 2,000 inhabitants were Māori . Waiapu Valley
1026-418: The East Coast of the North Island of New Zealand. It is the catchment area for the Waiapu River and its tributaries , and covers 1,734 square kilometres (670 sq mi). The Raukumara Range forms the western side of the valley, with Mount Hikurangi in the central west. The towns of Ruatoria and Tikitiki are in the north-east of the valley. The vast majority of the catchment area lies within
1080-584: The East Coast of the North Island . It is the main highway that services the East Cape of New Zealand as well as many other rural towns such as Hicks Bay , Ruatoria , Tolaga Bay , and the city of Gisborne . SH 35 is the longest two-digit state highway at 334 kilometres (208 mi), longer than three single-digit highways ( SH 4 , SH 5 and SH 7 ). It is part of the Pacific Coast Highway . The route begins at SH 2 in Ōpōtiki in
1134-519: The Eastern Bay of Plenty and travels initially north along St John Street before turning sharp east. The road then begins its long route around the coast. After 157 km and at Te Araroa near Hicks Bay the road turns sharply right, although straight traffic may continue on to reach the East Cape . SH 35 continues on, past Ruatoria and then Tolaga Bay, home to New Zealand's longest wharf. 8 km near
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#17330861641661188-705: The Raukumura Range. This water drains into a large number of streams and rivers, which flow to Waiapu River , the main stem in the north-east of the valley. The Waiapu River flows north-east from the joining of the Mata River and the Tapuaeroa River near Ruatoria, and reaches the Pacific Ocean near Rangitukia . Other tributaries in the valley include the Mangaoporo , Poroporo , Wairoa , Maraehara rivers , and
1242-471: The Waiapu Valley in the early days of European settlement. In 1874 about 100 Māori went prospecting on and around Mount Hikurangi. Sir James Hector , who examined the locality, found no signs of gold . In 1875 “Scotty” Siddons, mate of the Beautiful Star , claimed to have met, on the East Coast, a Māori who had a few ounces of gold. He and a mate named Hill found a lot of mundic on the north-west side of
1296-455: The Wairoa River (a small creek at 37°50′13″S 178°24′00″E / 37.83695267°S 178.3998781°E / -37.83695267; 178.3998781 ). Karaka said that a bridge was built from Tikitiki to Waiomatatini , to the protest of local Māori who were concerned that it would disturb the taniwha. The night before the bridge was completed, a storm came washing the bridge away —
1350-511: The area include Whanokao (1,428 m or 4,685 ft), Aorangi (1,272 m or 4,173 ft), Wharekia (1,106 m or 3,629 ft) and Taitai (678 m or 2,224 ft). Together, these mountains provide what Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand calls an "awe-inspiring vista". The valley receives a high level of rainfall — from 1,600 mm (63 in) per year at the coast, to more than 4,000 mm (160 in) per year in
1404-435: The area — Ko Hikurangi te maunga, ko Waiapu te awa, ko Ngāti Porou te iwi (Hikurangi is the mountain, Waiapu is the river, Ngāti Porou is the tribe). Ruatoria is within the iwi 's rohe , and Te Runanganui o Ngāti Porou has offices located in the town. The Waiapu River is of immense cultural, spiritual, economic, and traditional value to local Māori. According to traditional beliefs, a number of taniwha dwell in and protect
1458-473: The area. In 1840, Ngāti Porou extensively cultivated the area around the river. The valley was a place where they could live, offering safe refuge during periods of war, and supplies of fresh water and various species of fish. The first Māori church in New Zealand was built on the banks of Waiapu River sometime between 1834 and 1839. The previous decade, Taumata-a-Kura of Ngāti Porou had been captured by
1512-461: The catchment's rivers were full of sediment, and classed as highly degraded. The Waiapu River had one of the highest sediment yields in the world (20,520 t /km /year in 2000), more than two and a half times that of the adjacent catchment area of the Waipaoa River . The high level of sediment in Waiapu River means it is undesirable as a source of drinking water, and very little of the river's water
1566-412: The census's question about religious affiliation, 38.7% had no religion, 36.8% were Christian , 5.1% had Māori religious beliefs and 2.8% had other religions. Of those at least 15 years old, 54 (10.5%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 135 (26.2%) people had no formal qualifications. 27 people (5.2%) earned over $ 70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15
1620-431: The church was located, was described to Taylor as the largest in the region. Just prior to 1840, the pā had approximately 3,000 inhabitants. Many Ngāti Porou hapū still live in the valley, which has a large number of marae . In 2002, the valley's population was approximately 90% Māori, and traditional culture is still practised in the area — though it has changed significantly in the last 150 years. Since they arrived,
1674-429: The district are related to agriculture and forestry. Attempts to sink oil wells in the area in the 1920s proved unprofitable. The original shop, bunk house and cook house in the township of Tuparoa were destroyed by fire on two occasions between 1907 and 1913. Commerce was moved inland 5 miles to the area known as The Crossroads, northeast of the present town sitting on the area of the first river plain where it drops to
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1728-468: The eastern side is made of lower sets of terraces and floodplains just above sea level. There are many large mountains in the Raukumara Range on the west of the valley, the most prominent of which is Mount Hikurangi , on a spur of the Raukumura Range inland from Ruatoria. At 1,752 m (5,748 ft) above sea level, it is the highest non- volcanic peak in the North Island . Other summits in
1782-599: The end of its route, SH 35 crosses the Turanganui River bridge and reaches Gisborne . SH 35 turns left onto Customhouse Street and then right onto Awapuni Road, the last stretch of road, before meeting back at SH 2 where it terminates. There have been two notable changes to SH 35. It used to run through Wainui Beach before the construction of the bypass in 1990, and it used to run along Gladstone Road, Gisborne 's main street. Since 1997, SH 35 now travels along Customhouse Street and Awapuni Road, diverting heavy traffic from
1836-401: The main urban centre of the East Coast district of New Zealand. The transition to Ruatoria from Tuparoa was brought about by the increased reliability of State Highway 35, which at that time ran via the main street of Ruatoria. Tuparoa was disadvantaged by unreliable road access and a lack of all weather harbour. The Rotokautuku Bridge, connecting Ruatoria to the northern side of Waiapu River ,
1890-479: The many hapū that live alongside the Waiapu River have been responsible for preserving the mauri (life principle or special nature) of the river, and the hapū of the valley act as kaitiakitanga (guardians) of the river and its tributaries. The techniques the iwi use to catch Kahawai at the mouth of the river are unique to that river, and are considered sacred. According to an affidavit of Hapukuniha Te Huakore Karaka, two taniwha were placed in strategic locations in
1944-464: The mountain to commemorate the millennium in 2000 ( photo ). Another of Ngāti Porou's mythological ancestors, Paikea , is also associated with the mountain. According to myth, Paikea's younger half-brother, Ruatapu, attempted to kill about 70 of his older kin ("brothers") at sea in Hawaiki to exact revenge on his father for belittling him as a low-born son of a slave. The massacre, called Te Huripūreiata ,
1998-419: The mountain, but only outcrops of limestone on the higher slopes. In 1886 Reupane te Ana, of Makarika , discovered what he fondly imagined was an enormous deposit of gold. With what Joseph Angus Mackay called “noble unselfishness”, he let all his friends into the secret. Drays , wheelbarrows and receptacles of all kinds were rushed to the scene, and large quantities of the “precious metal” were removed to
2052-522: The population able to speak te reo Māori . The second largest town, Tikitiki , is the easternmost point on the New Zealand state highway network . The western border of the valley is the Raukumara Range , and has a relief ranging from 500 to 1,500 m (1,600 to 4,900 ft). Moving east, the middle and lower parts of the valley are hilly, with a relief of 100–500 m (330–1,640 ft), and
2106-400: The present river plain where the roads went north–south and to the east. (There was a race course on land alongside the Waiapu River below The Crossroads but that was abandoned by the end of the second world war). The Crossroads too was destroyed by fire during the first world war and in 1920 the first general store and accommodation was erected by William Hayes Owen Johnston (1890–1960) on what
2160-401: The return of native scrub. However, by 2002 the catchment area had few natural habitats remaining. It was 37% pasture, 26% exotic Pinus radiata forest, 21% native forest, and about 12% kānuka and mānuka scrub. It was highly degraded and modified, and had extensive and serious erosion problems. About half of the pasture area could be considered erosion-prone and unsustainable. Many of
2214-509: The river onto shingle beaches near its mouth is extracted at approximately 12 different sites, predominantly for use on nearby rural and forestry roads. The water quality of the river's tributaries is often much higher, as they are closer to the native vegetation cover of the Raukumura Range. In lower areas, much of the eroded gravel from the catchment area settles on the riverbed of the Waiapu River, making it rise rapidly. The riverbed rose 1 metre (3.3 ft) between 1986 and 2007, and
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2268-495: The river since the time of Māui, which serves to unite those who live on either side of it. Ngāti Porou believe that taniwha dwell in and protect the river, in turn protecting the valley and its hapū . Taniwha believed to be in Waiapu River include Kotuwainuku, Kotuwairangi, Ohinewaiapu, and Ngungurutehorowhatu. Māori settlement of Waiapu Valley was widespread until the 1880s, while in March 1874 there were only 20 Pākehā living in
2322-407: The river to protect the hapū from invading tribes — one near Paoaruku (a locality at 37°49′38″S 178°20′21″E / 37.82716138°S 178.3390364°E / -37.82716138; 178.3390364 ) and one at the Wairoa River (a small creek at 37°50′13″S 178°24′00″E / 37.83695267°S 178.3998781°E / -37.83695267; 178.3998781 ). Karaka said that
2376-505: The river, in turn protecting the valley and its hapū . Taniwha believed to be in Waiapu River include Kotuwainuku, Kotuwairangi, Ohinewaiapu, and Ngungurutehorowhatu. According to an affidavit of Hapukuniha Te Huakore Karaka, two taniwha were placed in strategic locations in the river to protect the hapū from invading tribes — one near Paoaruku (a locality at 37°49′38″S 178°20′21″E / 37.82716138°S 178.3390364°E / -37.82716138; 178.3390364 ), and one at
2430-458: The town of Ruatoria , and groynes have been installed in an attempt to divert the river away from the town. The Waiapu Valley, called Te Riu o Waiapu in te reo Māori, lies within the rohe of Ngāti Porou , the largest iwi on the East Coast, and second largest in New Zealand. Mount Hikurangi, Waiapu River, and the Waiapu Valley itself are of immense cultural, spiritual, economic, and traditional value to Ngāti Porou. Mount Hikurangi
2484-485: The weather till then had been calm. From then, one person would drown in the river nearly every year. If it did not happen one year, two would drown the next. A local tohunga , George Gage (Hori Te Kou-o-rehua Keeti) was approached to help the situation, and after that there were no similar drownings. Ruatoria has several marae belonging to Ngāti Porou hapū : In October 2020, the Government committed $ 5,756,639 from
2538-415: Was $ 19,400, compared with $ 31,800 nationally. 42 people (4.7%) earned over $ 70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 315 (35.1%) people were employed full-time, 132 (14.7%) were part-time, and 78 (8.7%) were unemployed. As the crow flies , Ruatoria is approximately 90 km (56 mi) north-northeast of Gisborne , and 30 km (19 mi) southwest of
2592-404: Was 2.4, compared with 27.1% nationally. Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 36.3% had no religion, 38.9% were Christian , 5.1% had Māori religious beliefs and 2.7% had other religions. Of those at least 15 years old, 93 (10.4%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 228 (25.4%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income
2646-530: Was altered to "Ruatoria", although some texts retain the original spelling. Ruatoria's Whakarua Park is the home of the East Coast Rugby Football Union . Statistics New Zealand describes Ruatoria as a rural settlement, which covers 13.19 km (5.09 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 870 as of June 2024, with a population density of 66 people per km. It is part of the larger Ruatoria-Raukumara statistical area. Ruatoria had
2700-480: Was approached to help the situation, and after that there were no similar drownings. The deforestation and land development of the area, largely planned and managed by non-Maori groups, have had a huge negative impact on Māori. In December 2010, Ngāti Porou signed a settlement deal with the New Zealand Government for various grievances, some of which relate to the Waiapu Valley. The settlement included
2754-403: Was built in 1964. This 1964 bridge replaced the old bridge which had been built in the 1930s. The old piles were used for the new bridge, although they had to be lowered by a metre to accommodate the new bridge. In the 1980s, Ruatoria was briefly notorious for an outbreak of arson attacks in the town, during a period of severe economic downturn. The Ngāti Porou proverb of identity relates to
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#17330861641662808-468: Was large-scale clearing, felling and burning of native forests for pastoralism . Floods and heavy rainfall are common to the area, and this, combined with the development, resulted in widespread erosion and large amounts of sediment being deposited in the Waiapu River and its tributaries. This has changed the landscape significantly. Since the late 1960s, much work has been done to repair the area by planting exotic forests in eroding areas, and encouraging
2862-450: Was survived only by Paikea, who called on the sea gods and ancestors to save him. Paikea travelled to New Zealand on the back of a whale, but Ruatapu sent a great flood to kill the survivors in New Zealand, called Te Tai a Ruatapu . Mt. Hikurangi became a refuge for the people from this deluge. The Waiapu River is also of great significance to Ngāti Porou. According to traditional beliefs, they have had an undisturbed relationship with
2916-420: Was that 168 (32.6%) people were employed full-time, 90 (17.4%) were part-time, and 42 (8.1%) were unemployed. Ruatoria-Raukumara statistical area covers 693.32 km (267.69 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 1,430 as of June 2024, with a population density of 2.1 people per km. Ruatoria-Raukumara had a population of 1,233 at the 2018 New Zealand census , an increase of 30 people (2.5%) since
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