58-548: Whangārei Central is the central business district of Whangārei , in the Northland Region of New Zealand's North Island . It includes the Whangārei Town Basin. It has traditionally been the main commercial centre of Northland. As of 2017, approximately 39% of the 1404 businesses were commercial and professional services; 19% were retail and food businesses. In March 2019, Whangarei District Council decided to build
116-510: 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
174-469: 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 a spectacular 26-metre (85 ft) waterfall in Tikipunga , 6 kilometres (3.7 miles) north of the city. Matakohe , or Limestone Island, lies in
232-549: 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
290-615: A horizontal plank with three vertical planks projecting out of it, decorated with feathers. Some accounts indicate that it had a large house on the deck. Another claims that it had three masts. The crew consisted of both men and women, with estimates of their number ranging from around thirty to over a hundred. D. M. Stafford compiles a list of forty-nine men, who appear on the Arawa in different traditions, noting that some of them are otherwise attested on other canoes or seem implausible on genealogical grounds: The following women are attested on
348-573: A new precinct on the north-western side of the CBD. Whangārei Central covers 2.81 km (1.08 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 950 as of June 2024, with a population density of 338 people per km. Whangārei Central had a population of 858 in the 2023 New Zealand census , a decrease of 96 people (−10.1%) since the 2018 census , and an increase of 99 people (13.0%) since the 2013 census . There were 423 males and 432 females in 369 dwellings. 4.9% of people identified as LGBTIQ+ . The median age
406-409: A number of private tertiary educational organisations that provide technical and vocational training. There are several schools which offer secondary schooling education within the urban area. Most suburbs have their own primary school. There are two intermediate schools (years 7–8) in the urban area. Several primary schools offer education from years 1–8. Arawa (canoe) Arawa was one of
464-455: Is commemorated by the centennial monument, erected at Maketu in 1940. After landfall, Ruaeo arrived on a separate canoe, Pukateawainui , took revenge on Tama-te-kapua, and led a group consisting of Tuarotorua, Marupunganui, Taunga, and Kawatutu inland towards Lake Rotorua . Tia led another party on a westerly route towards Lake Taupō , while Ngātoro-i-rangi went past Lake Tarawera and on to Taupō as well. Ika and Kahumatamomoe travelled down
522-474: 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 a population density of 894 people per km . The urban area had a population of 53,841 in
580-448: The karakia (invocation) sung when the tree was chopped down, which opens Kakariki powhaitere . Another canoe, Tainui , was made at the same place and time. Upon completion, the waka was given the name Ngā rākau kotahi puu a Atua Matua (also known as Ngā rākau maatahi puu a Atua Matua , or more simply Ngā rākau rua a Atuamatua - the two trunks of Atuamatua) in memory of Tama-te-kapua's grandfather Atua-matua. The song sung as it
638-867: 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
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#1733085701696696-535: The Arawa and eventually settled at Whangārei . The canoe then travelled north up the coast, past Whakaari (White Island), to the Coromandel Peninsula , where Tama-te-kapua first sighted the mountain Mount Moehau and laid claim to it as his home and final resting place. At the island Te Poito o te Kupenga a Taramainuku just off the coast, Ngātoro-i-rangi deposited the tapu kōhatu (sacred stone), holding
754-456: The Arawa in different traditions: Items brought to New Zealand on the Arawa included a tapu kōhatu (sacred stone). There was also a magic whetstone for sharpening axes called Hine-tua-hōanga, which Īhenga , later installed at a sacred spring called Waiorotoki ("waters of the echoing axes") on the Waitetī stream near Ngongotahā . The stone was shown to James Cowan still in situ in 1930 and
812-552: 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 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
870-551: 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
928-566: 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 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
986-522: The Maketu estuary. A stone anchor in the churchyard at Ohinemutu is said to have come from the Arawa , but this is probably a 19th century waka of the same name. The waka was completed and berthed in Whenuakura Bay while Tama-te-kapua, chief of the canoe, attempted to find a priest for the journey. Ngātoro-i-rangi and his wife Kearoa were tricked by Tama-te-kapua into boarding the canoe to perform
1044-422: 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
1102-539: 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
1160-472: The mauri to protect the Arawa peoples and their descendants from evil. Heading south again, the Arawa landed at Reponga island, where the crew left two magic birds, called Mumuhou and Takareto, to let voyagers know when the sea would be rough or calm. They continued until Tama-te-kapua caught sight of the Maketu peninsula, which he staked a claim to, declaring it to be "the bridge of my nose." Other members of
1218-566: 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 the Hauraki Gulf islands, and Tāmaki Māori iwi to
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#17330857016961276-474: The pōhutukawa as they came in to land, they threw away their red-feather head-dresses, thinking that they could use the flowers instead. The feathers were found on the beach by Māhina, who refused to return them. After they had landed, the crew discovered that the Tainui canoe had already landed nearby. They also found a beached sperm whale . Tama-te-kapua built a tuahu altar out of weathered materials and tied
1334-619: 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,
1392-638: 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
1450-675: 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 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
1508-533: 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 the harbour more regularly, Ngāpuhi occupied Whangārei, and
1566-421: 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 is known from traditional histories as a landing point for many of
1624-521: The calming of the seas, a shark (known as an arawa ) was seen in the water. Ngātoro-i-rangi renamed the waka Te Arawa , after this shark, which then accompanied the waka to Aotearoa, acting as a kai-tiaki (guardian). The Arawa canoe continued on to New Zealand, finally sighting land at Whangaparaoa near Cape Runaway in Te Moana-a-Toi (the Bay of Plenty). When the crew saw the bright red flowers of
1682-452: The canoe to the jaw of the whale, covering the rope with sand, as if it had been covered up by the tide. He pointed these things out to the crew of Tainui and convinced them that Arawa had actually arrived first. This incident is the subject of much dispute between Arawa and Tainui, who tell a similar story, but with the roles reversed. On arrival, Tahu-whakatiki and Waitaha , the two sons of Hei , argued. Tahu-whakatiki therefore left
1740-411: The census question. Of those at least 15 years old, 123 (16.5%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 363 (48.8%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 228 (30.6%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $ 30,400, compared with $ 41,500 nationally. 39 people (5.2%) earned over $ 100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15
1798-422: 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
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1856-544: 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 the Tainui migratory waka, who either flew from the Waikato north on
1914-427: The cord and deduced that Tama-te-kapua had been with Kearoa. In revenge, he raised a huge whirlpool in the sea named Te korokoro-o-te-Parata ('The throat of Te Parata'). The waka was about to be lost with all on board, before Ngātoro-i-rangi took mercy and calmed the seas. During these events, all the kūmara on board the canoe were lost overboard, except a few in a small kete being held by Whakaotirangi . After
1972-545: The crew began claiming the land: Tia declared the area northwest of Maketu to be the belly of his son Tapuika and Hei called the next hill north of that the belly of his son Waitaha . They brought the Arawa up the Kaituna River at Maketu, tying the bow to a rock called Tokaparore and the stern with an anchor called Tuterangiharuru. Both rocks are features of the landscape today. This landfall took place in December. The spot
2030-493: 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 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
2088-679: The great ocean-going, voyaging canoes in Māori traditions that was used in the migrations that settled New Zealand . The Te Arawa confederation of Māori iwi and hapū based in the Rotorua and Bay of Plenty areas trace their ancestry from the people of this canoe. Te Arawa's ancestors on board the Arawa were of the Ngāti Ohomairangi of Ra'iātea Island . Following a battle that broke out between them and Uenuku , in which their own Whakatūria fell in battle, Tama-te-kapua promised to captain
2146-537: 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 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
2204-743: 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
2262-401: The necessary appeasement incantations to the gods before the canoe departed. However, while they were on board, Tama-te-kapua signalled to his men to quickly set sail, and before Ngātoro-i-rangi and his wife could react they were far out to sea. During the voyage to New Zealand, Tama-te-kapua became desirous of Kearoa. Ngātoro-i-rangi noticed this and guarded his wife during the night while he
2320-577: 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 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
2378-599: 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
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2436-598: 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 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
2494-576: 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 the late 18th century, Ngāpuhi expanded south into
2552-491: 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
2610-479: The voyage to the islands of New Zealand, which had been discovered by Ngāhue of the Tāwhirirangi canoe. A large tree was cut down by four men called Rata, Wahieroa, Ngāhue and Parata, to make the waka which came to be known as Arawa . "Hauhau-te-rangi" and "Tūtauru" (made from New Zealand greenstone brought back by Ngāhue) were the adzes used for the time-consuming and intensive work. D. M. Stafford records
2668-400: The western route to Taupō and Ika continued to Whanganui with Oro. Hei and Waitaha settled the area between Katikati and Te Puke , but Waitaha also occupied Ōtamarākau . Tapuika settled the area between Te Puke and Maketu. Tama-te-kapua and his son Kahumatamomoe settled at Maketu itself. Uruika settled the area between Ōtamarākau and Matatā . The Arawa was beached at Maketu, where it
2726-498: Was 49.3 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 114 people (13.3%) aged under 15 years, 138 (16.1%) aged 15 to 29, 378 (44.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 225 (26.2%) aged 65 or older. People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 67.1% European ( Pākehā ); 32.5% Māori ; 5.9% Pasifika ; 11.2% Asian ; 0.7% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 1.7% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English
2784-438: 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
2842-504: 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, 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
2900-412: Was hauled into the sea, toia Te Arawa tapotu ki te moana is recorded by several sources. The traditional accounts do not provide much clear information about the design and size of the Arawa . Most scholars have argued that it was a catamaran with two hulls, but some sources make it a single-hulled canoe. A drawing by Wi Maihi te Rangikaheke shows it with a single hull and a figurehead consisting of
2958-405: Was on deck navigating, by tying one end of a cord to her hair and holding the other end in his hand. However, Tama-te-kapua untied the cord from Kearoa's hair and attached it to the bed in order to have sex with her, repeating this over a number of nights. One night he was nearly caught in the act by Ngātoro-i-rangi, but managed to escape, though forgetting the cord in his haste. Ngātoro-i-rangi found
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#17330857016963016-409: Was placed under a protective shed and venerated as a highly tapu relic. Later, Raumati of Taranaki visited the area, while the people were away and burnt the canoe. It is unclear whether they did this intentionally or accidentally. This act of destruction was avenged by Hatupatu , who killed Raumati and brought his head to Mokoia Island on Lake Rotorua . The tribe that travelled on the Arawa
3074-414: Was said to have made the stream so tapu that it was fatal to drink from it. In addition, the canoe brought over two gods, one called Itupaoa, which was represented by a roll of tapa , and another stone carving buried at Mokoia Island on Lake Rotorua , which is perhaps to be identified with Matuatonga . It had two stone anchors, called Toka-parore and Tu-te-rangi-haruru, now the name of two rocks in
3132-556: 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
3190-543: Was spoken by 96.9%, Māori language by 10.8%, Samoan by 0.7%, and other languages by 11.2%. No language could be spoken by 1.0% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 1.0%. The percentage of people born overseas was 24.5, compared with 28.8% nationally. Religious affiliations were 31.5% Christian , 1.4% Hindu , 1.7% Islam , 3.5% Māori religious beliefs , 1.4% Buddhist , 0.3% New Age , and 2.1% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 52.4%, and 6.6% of people did not answer
3248-604: 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
3306-594: Was that 291 (39.1%) people were employed full-time, 87 (11.7%) were part-time, and 33 (4.4%) were unemployed. Whangārei Central has several art galleries: 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 the former Whangārei City, Whangārei County and Hikurangi Town councils to administer both
3364-451: 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 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
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