37-670: The Thames Branch railway line connected Thames, New Zealand , with Hamilton and was originally part of the East Coast Main Trunk railway. Part of the line between Morrinsville and Waitoa remains open and is in use as the Waitoa Branch line, connecting to the Fonterra Dairy Factory at Waitoa. The discovery of gold in the Thames area in 1852 provided the impetus for building a railway line from Auckland to Thames. In 1872
74-503: A day between Auckland and Tauranga via Thames. Thames High School is a secondary (years 9–13) school with a decile rating of 5 and a roll of 391. The school was established in 1880 and is the second oldest secondary school in the Auckland Province. Moanataiari School, Parawai and Thames South are full primary (years 1–8) schools with decile ratings of 5, 6 and 3 and rolls of 161, 232 and 71, respectively. St Francis School
111-646: A population of 7,293 at the 2018 New Zealand census , an increase of 342 people (4.9%) since the 2013 census , and an increase of 363 people (5.2%) since the 2006 census . There were 3,045 households, comprising 3,420 males and 3,870 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.88 males per female, with 1,149 people (15.8%) aged under 15 years, 930 (12.8%) aged 15 to 29, 2,886 (39.6%) aged 30 to 64, and 2,337 (32.0%) aged 65 or older. Ethnicities were 82.2% European/ Pākehā , 22.1% Māori , 2.7% Pacific peoples , 6.3% Asian , and 1.8% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity. The percentage of people born overseas
148-468: Is a full primary (years 1–8) school with a decile rating of 7 and a roll of 81. It is a state integrated Catholic school. All these schools are coeducational. Rolls are as of August 2024. A former local institution of learning was the Thames School of Mines . Another former school, Thames North, was at Tararu . It is now Thames Art Gallery. Kopu, New Zealand Kopu is a settlement in on
185-439: Is a major shopping mall in Thames. Many residents work in tourism and locally owned businesses servicing the local farming community. Thames has also been used as a filming location for movies including Falling Inn Love and Bridge to Terabithia . Initially the main access to Thames was by sea, with goods and passengers landed on the beach. Shortland Wharf was built in 1868 and remains in use. Thames Harbour Board controlled
222-910: Is a town at the southwestern end of the Coromandel Peninsula in New Zealand 's North Island . It is located on the Firth of Thames close to the mouth of the Waihou River . The town is the seat of the Thames-Coromandel District Council . The Māori iwi are Ngāti Maru , who are descendants of Marutuahu's son Te Ngako. Ngāti Maru is part of the Ngati Marutuahu confederation of tribes or better known as Hauraki Iwi. Thames had an estimated population of 15,000 in 1870, but this declined to 4,500 in 1881, and it has increased modestly since. It
259-549: Is still the biggest town on the Coromandel Peninsula. Until 2016, a historical oak tree that was planted by Governor George Grey stood on the corner of Grey and Rolleston streets. Thames covers 16.99 km (6.56 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 7,440 as of June 2024, with a population density of 438 people per km . Before the 2023 census, Thames had a smaller boundary, covering 15.55 km (6.00 sq mi). Using that boundary, Thames had
296-609: The 2013 census , and an increase of 183 people (26.8%) since the 2006 census . There were 333 households, comprising 432 males and 435 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.99 males per female. The median age was 48.2 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 153 people (17.6%) aged under 15 years, 123 (14.2%) aged 15 to 29, 369 (42.6%) aged 30 to 64, and 225 (26.0%) aged 65 or older. Ethnicities were 84.4% European/ Pākehā , 19.0% Māori , 1.7% Pacific peoples , 6.2% Asian , and 1.4% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity. The percentage of people born overseas
333-540: The Auckland Provincial Council recommended a rail connection to Thames, primarily due to issues associated with barging coal from North Auckland coal mines to Thames to serve the gold mining industry. Surveys were completed in 1878, despite opposition from local Maori, putting the cost of the 54 km line at £178,000. The 32 mi (51 km) Thames-Te Aroha section had cost £159,340 (about $ 30m in 2018 values) when opened. Premier Sir George Grey turned
370-633: The Coromandel Peninsula in New Zealand's North Island . It is located near Thames , in the Thames-Coromandel District in the Waikato region. Kopu is located on the Waihou River and features the Kopu Bridge . The Totora-Kopu statistical area, as defined by Statistics New Zealand , covers a land area of 8.39 km². Totora-Kopu statistical area, which Statistics New Zealand considers part of
407-806: The Kaimai Tunnel in 1978 and the closure of the Paeroa - Katikati section of the East Coast Main Trunk led to the re-designation of the Morrinsville - Thames section as the Thames Branch. Scheduled trains to Thames ceased in 1985. The last service on the line was on 28 June 1991, following the reduction in output from the Toyota New Zealand assembly plant at Thames resulting in loss of traffic. While New Zealand Rail did attempt to win this traffic back,
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#1732852779612444-471: The Karangahake Gorge to Waihi . From this stage the Thames Branch was defined as Paeroa to Thames, with the Morrinsville - Paeroa section being designated as part of the East Coast Main Trunk. In 1928 the passenger service was being provided by a steam railcar . Station closed to passengers on 28 March 1951. Freight was declining by 1930, leading to the loss of the porter at Puriri . The opening of
481-510: The Musket Wars . After a frontal assault was unsuccessful, the taua took the pā by stealth. Thames was formed from two historic towns, Grahamstown and Shortland, of which many original buildings still stand. Shortland was to the south of Thames and was founded on 27 July 1867 when James Mackay , civil commissioner for the Hauraki District , concluded an agreement with local Māori. The land
518-511: The New Zealand Parliament . In total, there were 24 Mayors of Thames Borough. In 1975, Thames Borough amalgamated with Coromandel County, out of which Thames-Coromandel District arose. Hence, the role was succeeded by that of the Mayor of Thames-Coromandel . Thames Hospital is the oldest still operating in New Zealand, having been built in the 1860s. The Māori owned land was donated by
555-475: The Thames urban area, covers 9.85 km (3.80 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 1,020 as of June 2024, with a population density of 104 people per km . Before the 2023 census, the statistical area had a smaller boundary, covering 8.39 km (3.24 sq mi). Using that boundary, Totora-Kopu had a population of 867 at the 2018 New Zealand census , an increase of 90 people (11.6%) since
592-422: The Toyota New Zealand plant, which assembled CKD cars until 1998, and now refurbishes imported used cars. Another is the precision engineering works and foundry of A & G Price , established 1868, who built 123 steam locomotives for New Zealand Railways Department . The Brian Boru Hotel, built in 1868, is the oldest Irish pub in New Zealand. Most shops are located on Pollen Street. Goldfields Shopping Centre
629-454: The Ngāti Maru rangatira Rapana Maunganoa. A new clinical centre and other improvements were completed in 2008, and a new maternity facility opened on 5 September 2011. The Thames Jockey Club was one of the earliest to be established in New Zealand. The Thames Aerodrome is 3 km south of the town. Regular flights to Auckland are operated by Great Barrier Airlines . A major employer is
666-592: The Thames. This resulted in the forming of a Thames Municipality Committee in early 1872. The Borough of Thames was gazetted in November 1873. The first Borough Council was elected in March 1874. As was practice at the time, the councillors voted one from their midst to be the mayor. William Davies was the only person proposed and voted into the role unanimously in April 1874. During the 1870s, Governor George Grey represented Thames in
703-442: The branch was officially closed on 31 May 1995. The Toyota plant closed for vehicle assembly in 1997 and 60 kilometres (37 mi) of track was then lifted between Thames and the dairy factory at Waitoa. In 2004 the section of the line as far as Waitoa, which was still in place, was re-opened for dairy traffic, as part of Fonterra 's policy of reviewing its transport links. The Thames Railway Station building of 1898 survives as it
740-593: The first sod of the line at Thames on 21 December 1878, but 18 months later work from Thames was stopped by the 1880 Royal Commission ordered by Grey's successor. The track bed had been built as far as Kopu by 1884, employing about 30 men. Construction of the section from Hamilton continued, albeit slowly. The line crossed the Waikato River and was opened from Morrinsville to Te Aroha on 1 March 1886, to Paeroa on 20 December 1895, and finally to Thames on 19 December 1898. The Minister of Railways , Alfred Cadman , drove
777-486: The first train into Thames, headed by an F class locomotive. One of the lines first major traffic sources was A & G Price of Thames, who started producing locomotives for NZGR from 1904. Following the completion of the North Island Main Trunk in 1908, the government began planning the East Coast Main Trunk in 1909, eventually to connect to Gisborne . Work began in 1911 on a link from Paeroa through
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#1732852779612814-726: The heart of the Goldfield was in Grahamstown. Shortland waned in importance until the turn of the century when the Hauraki Plains were developed for farming and the Shortland railway station was opened. The town was initially built during a gold rush , with the first major discovery of gold being made on 10 August 1867 by William Hunt, in the Kuranui Stream at the north end of Thames. The subsequent mine produced more than 102,353oz bullion and
851-434: The largest cities in New Zealand at the time, but the population had declined to 11,950 (not including Māori) in the 1871 census. The Māori population was 1,428 in 1859. After the gold began to diminish, so did Thames' population, dropping to 5,420 in 1878 and 4,563 in 1881. Thames also benefited from a period of extensive Kauri logging in the surrounding ranges around the same time. The land involved in goldmining in Thames
888-459: The loss of 145 jobs. In 2012, mayor of Thames-Coromandel called NZTA safety procedures into question when a sink hole on State Highway 25 north of Thames, opened above an old mine shaft . The Mātai Whetū Marae is located in Kopu. It is a meeting ground for Ngāti Maru and features Te Rama o Hauraki meeting house. Operating since 2009, The Treasury is an archive and research centre located in
925-605: The port from 1876 until it was merged with the Town Council in 1936. By then competition, following the opening of the railway in 1898 and then the Hauraki (now Kopu) Bridge in 1928, had reduced the profitability of the wharves and a commissioner had been appointed, as the town couldn't meet its debts. Ships which have served Thames have included SS Go Ahead and Northern Steamship Co 's Terranora (1898), Kapui (1911) and Waipu (1928). The Thames branch railway connecting
962-630: The present junction with the ECMT at Morrinsville. Most of the former rail alignment is now part of the Hauraki Rail Trail of the New Zealand Cycle Trail network, with the local councils in 2011 securing a 20-year lease, though the option of prior termination remains should KiwiRail intend to relay the railway to run trains along the corridor again. Thames, New Zealand Thames ( / t ɛ m z / ) ( Māori : Pārāwai )
999-416: The town with Hamilton was opened in 1898 and was closed in 1991 and the tracks were taken up, though Thames railway station remains. The branch now provides part of the course for the Hauraki Rail Trail . Thames is on SH25. Thames Connector buses run 5 times a day between Tararu and Parawai. Go Kiwi operate a shuttle bus from the east coast of Coromandel, via Thames, to Auckland. InterCity run twice
1036-420: The town. The book True Tales of Thames was launched at The Treasury by The Coromandel Heritage Trust. Steampunk has been a community-supported festival in Thames since 2015. The area was initially controlled by the Auckland Provincial Council . In late 1871, a public meeting in Grahamstown resolved: That in the opinion of the meeting it is desirable that a Municipal Corporation should be established for
1073-478: Was $ 29,300, compared with $ 31,800 nationally. 114 people (16.0%) earned over $ 70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 315 (44.1%) people were employed full-time, 114 (16.0%) were part-time, and 18 (2.5%) were unemployed. In 2018, 13.9% of the workforce worked in manufacturing, 13.2% worked in construction, 9.0% worked in healthcare, 6.3% worked in hospitality, 6.3% worked in education, 3.5% worked in transport and 1.4% of
1110-467: Was 15.9, compared with 27.1% nationally. Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 46.4% had no religion, 39.4% were Christian , 0.3% had Māori religious beliefs , 1.4% were Hindu , 0.3% were Muslim , 2.1% were Buddhist and 2.1% had other religions. Of those at least 15 years old, 102 (14.3%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 156 (21.8%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income
1147-562: Was 16.7, compared with 27.1% nationally. Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 47.9% had no religion, 38.1% were Christian , 1.2% had Māori religious beliefs , 1.0% were Hindu , 0.2% were Muslim , 1.5% were Buddhist and 2.4% had other religions. Of those at least 15 years old, 825 (13.4%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 1,644 (26.8%) people had no formal qualifications. 555 people (9.0%) earned over $ 70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15
Thames Branch - Misplaced Pages Continue
1184-561: Was Māori-owned; important parts of the goldfield were owned by the Ngāti Maru rangatira (chief) Rapana Maunganoa and the Taipari family. In 1878, when Wiremu Hōterene Taipari married a woman of the Ngāti Awa tribe of Whakatāne , Ngāti Awa carvers arrived at Thames and built a meeting house at Pārāwai. It is incorrectly said to have been a wedding gift for the couple when actually Wiremu's father had paid money for another whare (meeting house), which
1221-644: Was known as the Shotover. The era from 1868 to 1871 were the bonanza years for the town with gold production topping one million pounds sterling at its peak. Official figures for production of the Thames Mines recorded a yield of 2,327,619oz bullion with the value at $ 845 million. The three richest fields were the Manukau / Golden Crown / Caledonian mines but many others yielded near equivalent amounts. Thames had an estimated population of 15,000 in 1870 which would make it one of
1258-779: Was listed by NZHPT Category II in 1982. It is a standard Vintage station , with gables, finials and scalloped bargeboards. Currently, services to Waitoa consist of scheduled weekday shunts to Hamilton and Morrinsville carrying dairy products, usually powered by a DSJ class shunting locomotive, or by a DC class mainline locomotive when higher tonnages are being moved. Stations were at Thames North (formerly known as Grahamstown, then Thames), Thames (Shortland until 1 October 1915 and Thames South until 28 April 1929), Parawai, Kopu , Matatoki , Puriri , Omahu, Wharepoa Rd, Hikutaia , Komata North, Paeroa (junction for Tauranga), Tirohia , Waitoki, Mangaiti, Tui Pa, Te Aroha , Herriesville, Waihou, Waitoa (current terminus), Tatuanui , Piako and
1295-559: Was rented for mining purposes for the sum of £5,000 per year, a colossal sum in the mid 19th century. This agreement secured the rights to local mineral deposits leading to the proclamation of the Thames Goldfield on 1 August. The leasing of the land for such a huge income was a source of great envy by other Maori iwi and hapu. Grahamstown was founded the following year at the northern end of present Thames, approximately one mile from Shortland. The two towns merged in 1874 after it emerged
1332-564: Was sold to the governor general at the time. When Wiremu's father returned to collect the whare the Ngati Awa chief apologised and said he would have another one built which would signify the marriage between Wiremu Taipari and his daughter. The house, named Hotunui in honour of an important Ngāti Maru ancestor, now stands in the Auckland War Memorial Museum . The Carters - Kopu sawmill, 9 km south of Thames, closed in 2008 with
1369-545: Was that 2,175 (35.4%) people were employed full-time, 873 (14.2%) were part-time, and 180 (2.9%) were unemployed. In the early 19th century the area was populated by Ngāti Maru and other members of the Marutūāhu collective. Ngāti Maru built a large fortified pā between the Kauaeranga River and Waihou River , known as Te Tōtara. In December 1821, this pā was attacked by a Te Tai Tokerau Māori taua (war party) during
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