Auroa
{{short description|Settlement in Taranaki Region, New Zealand}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2015}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=July 2015}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Auroa
| area_total_km2 = 47.13
| population_total = 270
| population_as_of = 2018 Census
| population_density_km2 = auto
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = New Zealand
| subdivision_type1 = Region
| subdivision_name1 = Taranaki Region
| subdivision_type2 = Territorial authority
| subdivision_name2 = South Taranaki District
| subdivision_type3 = Ward
| subdivision_name3 = {{ubl|Taranaki Coastal General Ward|Eltham-Kaponga General Ward|Te Kūrae Māori Ward}}
| subdivision_type4 = Community
| subdivision_name4 = {{ubl|Taranaki Coastal Community|Eltham-Kaponga Community}}
| seat_type = Electorates
| seat = {{ubl|Whanganui|Te Tai Hauāuru (Māori)}}
| leader_title = Territorial Authority
| leader_name = South Taranaki District Council
| leader_title1 = Regional council
| leader_name1 = Taranaki Regional Council
| image_map = {{infobox mapframe|coord={{coord|39|29|1|S|174|2|38|E}}|zoom=9}}
| coordinates = {{coord|39|29|1|S|174|2|38|E|region:NZ|display=inline,title}}
}}
Auroa is a locality in southern Taranaki, New Zealand. Ōpunake is to the west, Kaponga to the northeast, and Manaia to the southeast. Mount Taranaki is directly north of Auroa.{{Citation|title=Reed New Zealand Atlas|year=2004|isbn=0-7900-0952-8|editor=Peter Dowling |publisher=Reed Books|pages=map 34}}{{Citation|title=The Geographic Atlas of New Zealand|year=2005|isbn=1-877333-20-4|author=Roger Smith, GeographX|publisher=Robbie Burton|pages=map 96}}
The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "long cloud" for Auroa.{{Cite web|url=https://nzhistory.govt.nz/culture/maori-language-week/1000-maori-place-names|title=1000 Māori place names|publisher=New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage|date=6 August 2019}}
Demographics
Auroa is in two SA1 statistical areas which cover {{Convert|41.13|km2||abbr=on}}.{{Cite web|title=ArcGIS Web Application|url=https://statsnz.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=6f49867abe464f86ac7526552fe19787| access-date=27 December 2023|website=statsnz.maps.arcgis.com}} The SA1 areas are part of the larger Taungatara statistical area.
{{Historical populations|2006|297|2013|291|2018|270|percentages=pagr|align=left|title=Historical population for Auroa and surrounds|source=}}
The SA1 areas had a population of 270 at the 2018 New Zealand census, a decrease of 21 people (−7.2%) since the 2013 census, and a decrease of 27 people (−9.1%) since the 2006 census. There were 99 households, comprising 132 males and 135 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.98 males per female, with 57 people (21.1%) aged under 15 years, 66 (24.4%) aged 15 to 29, 126 (46.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 24 (8.9%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 87.8% European/Pākehā, 11.1% Māori, 2.2% Pacific peoples, 2.2% Asian, and 2.2% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 48.9% had no religion, 38.9% were Christian, 1.1% had Māori religious beliefs, and 1.1% were Buddhist.
Of those at least 15 years old, 21 (9.9%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 54 (25.4%) people had no formal qualifications. 39 people (18.3%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 123 (57.7%) people were employed full-time, 33 (15.5%) were part-time, and 6 (2.8%) were unemployed.{{NZ census 2018|7017385 and 7017387}}
=Taungatara statistical area=
Taungatara statistical area, which also includes Te Kiri and Pihama, covers {{Convert|313.03|km2||abbr=on}} and had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Taungatara|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Taungatara|y}}|R}}/313.03|1}} people per km2.
{{Historical populations|2006|1,431|2013|1,380|2018|1,326|percentages=pagr|align=left|title=Historical population for Taungatara|source=}}
Taungatara had a population of 1,326 at the 2018 New Zealand census, a decrease of 54 people (−3.9%) since the 2013 census, and a decrease of 105 people (−7.3%) since the 2006 census. There were 456 households, comprising 702 males and 624 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.12 males per female. The median age was 32.0 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 357 people (26.9%) aged under 15 years, 270 (20.4%) aged 15 to 29, 603 (45.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 96 (7.2%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 89.4% European/Pākehā, 18.3% Māori, 0.9% Pacific peoples, 2.7% Asian, and 1.1% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 8.1, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 49.5% had no religion, 38.7% were Christian, 1.4% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.7% were Hindu, 0.2% were Muslim, 0.5% were Buddhist and 0.9% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 123 (12.7%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 228 (23.5%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $38,600, compared with $31,800 nationally. 174 people (18.0%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 588 (60.7%) people were employed full-time, 156 (16.1%) were part-time, and 27 (2.8%) were unemployed.{{NZ census 2018|Taungatara (220600)|taungatara|Taungatara}}
Otakeho
Otakeho is a part of the Taungatara statistical area, to the south of Auroa and west of the Otakeho Stream (rising on Mount Taranaki and reaching the Tasman Sea at Otakeho),{{Cite web|title=Otakeho Water Quantity Data|url=https://www.lawa.org.nz/explore-data/taranaki-region/water-quantity/surface-water-zones/otakeho/|access-date=2022-01-09|website=Land, Air, Water Aotearoa (LAWA)}} on SH45.{{Cite web|title=Geographic Boundary Viewer|url=https://statsnz.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=6f49867abe464f86ac7526552fe19787&extent=1687718.3692,5621133.6966,1691155.6468,5622726.9309,2193|url-status=live|access-date=2022-01-09|website=statsnz.maps.arcgis.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109101834/https://statsnz.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=6f49867abe464f86ac7526552fe19787&extent=1687718.3692,5621133.6966,1691155.6468,5622726.9309,2193 |archive-date=9 January 2022 }} It has a hall (built in 1897 to celebrate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee),{{Cite web|last=Ron|title=Otakeho Hall - 1897|url=http://ketenewplymouth.peoplesnetworknz.info/township_and_rural_halls_of_taranaki/images/show/6550-otakeho-hall-1897|access-date=2022-01-09|website=ketenewplymouth.peoplesnetworknz.info|language=en}} a boarded up store{{Cite web|date=June 2021|title=2071 South Rd Otakeho, Taranaki|url=https://www.google.com/maps/@-39.5469309,174.0437845,3a,75y,168.34h,94.67t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s_NbeEtFLUmNT9KI7KUGhzQ!2e0!5s20210601T000000!7i16384!8i8192|url-status=live|access-date=2022-01-09|website=Google Maps|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109101832/https://www.google.com/maps/@-39.5469309,174.0437845,3a,75y,168.34h,94.67t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s_NbeEtFLUmNT9KI7KUGhzQ!2e0!5s20210601T000000!7i16384!8i8192 |archive-date=9 January 2022 }} (probably built about 1920){{Cite web|date=23 Mar 1921|title=BUSINESS NOTICES. HAWERA & NORMANBY STAR|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/HNS19210323.2.23|url-status=live|access-date=2022-01-09|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109101836/https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/HNS19210323.2.23 |archive-date=9 January 2022 }} and a few houses. To the west of Otakeho is Ngāruahine's Tawhitinui Marae.{{Cite web|title=Tawhitinui Marae|url=https://www.trc.govt.nz/council/working-with-iwi/iwi-contacts/ngaruahine/tawhitinui-marae/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170422124916/https://www.trc.govt.nz/council/working-with-iwi/iwi-contacts/ngaruahine/tawhitinui-marae/ |archive-date=22 April 2017 }}
Otakeho has a small sandy beach, beyond Dingle Road,{{Cite web|date=January 2004|title=Inventory of coastal areas of local or regional significance in the Taranaki Region|url=https://www.trc.govt.nz/assets/Documents/Environment/Coast/iventory-of-coastal-areas-significance-taranaki.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170421081927/https://www.trc.govt.nz/assets/Documents/Environment/Coast/iventory-of-coastal-areas-significance-taranaki.pdf |archive-date=21 April 2017 }} at the foot of {{Convert|40|m|abbr=on}} high cliffs.{{Cite web|title=Otakeho Stream, Taranaki|url=https://www.topomap.co.nz/NZTopoMap/nz45323/Otakeho-Stream/|access-date=2022-01-09|website=NZ Topo Map|language=en}} It is used for fishing{{Cite web|date=January 2004|title=Inventory of coastal areas of local or regional significance in the Taranaki Region|url=https://www.trc.govt.nz/assets/Documents/Environment/Coast/iventory-of-coastal-areas-significance-taranaki.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170421081927/https://www.trc.govt.nz/assets/Documents/Environment/Coast/iventory-of-coastal-areas-significance-taranaki.pdf |archive-date=21 April 2017 }} and has a poorly protected,{{Cite web|title=The Taranaki Inc Biodiversity Strategy|url=https://www.trc.govt.nz/assets/Documents/Plans-policies/BioAccord/BioAccord-App2.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170418081214/https://www.trc.govt.nz/assets/Documents/Plans-policies/BioAccord/BioAccord-App2.pdf |archive-date=18 April 2017 }} nationally threatened, variety of Craspedia, Craspedia Otakeho.{{Cite web|title=New Zealand Flora|url=https://nzflora.landcareresearch.co.nz/default.aspx?selected=NameDetails&TabNum=0&Action=Display&NameId=67B0D740-621C-4C03-9949-87CD1D74DE4E&StateId=100012|access-date=2022-01-09|website=nzflora.landcareresearch.co.nz}}
It once also had a school (1884{{Cite web|date=4 May 1934|title=EDUCATIONAL MILESTONE. HAWERA STAR|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/HAWST19340504.2.64|url-status=live|access-date=2022-01-09|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109101834/https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/HAWST19340504.2.64 |archive-date=9 January 2022 }}-2003{{Cite web|title=Otakeho war memorial|url=https://nzhistory.govt.nz/media/photo/otakeho-war-memorial|access-date=2022-01-09|website=nzhistory.govt.nz|language=en}} - the buildings remain),{{Cite web|date=Feb 2010|title=2121 South Rd Otakeho, Taranaki|url=https://www.google.com/maps/@-39.5482675,174.0382281,3a,30y,203.36h,87.04t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sQBy-mWGaLJ3p_OrszpCRNg!2e0!5s20210601T000000!7i13312!8i6656|url-status=live|access-date=2022-01-09|website=Google Maps|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111091719/https://www.google.com/maps/@-39.5482675,174.0382281,3a,30y,203.36h,87.04t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sQBy-mWGaLJ3p_OrszpCRNg!2e0!5s20210601T000000!7i13312!8i6656 |archive-date=11 January 2022 }} a Category 2 listed church (sold in 2018{{Cite web|date=2018-06-08|title=Otakeho church tender offers closed, attracts a flurry of interest|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/104554658/otakeho-church-tender-offers-closed-attracts-a-flurry-of-interest|access-date=2022-01-09|website=Stuff|language=en}} and moved to Pihama in 2021),{{Cite web|title=Search the List {{!}} St John the Divine Church (Former) [Relocated] {{!}} Heritage New Zealand|url=https://www.heritage.org.nz/the-list/details/7272|access-date=2022-01-09|website=www.heritage.org.nz}} an hotel{{Cite web|date=1890|title=photograph of Otakeho Hotel with a group of people outside|url=https://collection.nelsonmuseum.co.nz/objects/P35378/moss|url-status=live|access-date=2022-01-09|website=Nelson Provincial Museum|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111091713/https://collection.nelsonmuseum.co.nz/objects/P35378/moss |archive-date=11 January 2022 }} (rebuilt{{Cite web|date=11 Jan 1908|title=HAWERA & NORMANBY STAR|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/HNS19080111.2.45.1|url-status=live|access-date=2022-01-09|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109101832/https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/HNS19080111.2.45.1 |archive-date=9 January 2022 }} after a 1907 fire{{Cite web|date=2 Aug 1907|title=FIRE AT OTAKEHO. HAWERA & NORMANBY STAR|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/HNS19070802.2.31|url-status=live|access-date=2022-01-09|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111091710/https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/HNS19070802.2.31 |archive-date=11 January 2022 }} and since burnt down again),{{Cite web|title=Nicholls Story Farming Agricultural Vetenarian Scholarships BA Taranaki|url=https://bashford-nicholls.org.nz/nicholls-story/|access-date=2022-01-09|website=Bashford-Nicholls Trust|language=en-US}} a post office, a smithy and a dairy factory,{{Cite web|date=1908|title=Otakeho|url=http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Cyc06Cycl-t1-body1-d1-d27-d64.html|url-status=live|access-date=2022-01-09|website=nzetc.victoria.ac.nz|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121209072208/http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz:80/tm/scholarly/tei-Cyc06Cycl-t1-body1-d1-d27-d64.html |archive-date=9 December 2012 }} which occupied several buildings.{{Cite web|last=Ron|title=T.L. Joll Co-op - Otakeho Factory|url=http://ketenewplymouth.peoplesnetworknz.info/taranaki_dairy_factories/images/show/8805-tl-joll-co-op-otakeho-factory|access-date=2022-01-09|website=ketenewplymouth.peoplesnetworknz.info|language=en}}
The Ōpunake to New Plymouth bus runs through Otakeho daily in each direction, except at weekends.{{Cite web|date=July 2021|title=Hāwera-New Plymouth (extending from Ōpunake first service)|url=https://www.trc.govt.nz/buses-transport/routes/hawera-np-connector/?AllStops=1#timetable|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109101836/https://www.trc.govt.nz/buses-transport/routes/hawera-np-connector/?AllStops=1 |archive-date=9 January 2022 }}
Education
Auroa School is a coeducational full primary (years 1-8) school with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|2152|y}} students as of {{NZ school roll data|||y|y||.}}{{TKI|2152|Auroa School}} Schools at Pihama, Riverlea and Te Kiri were closed and merged into Auroa School in 2004.{{cite web|url=http://www.ero.govt.nz/ERO\reppub.nsf/Institution/633E2A5847B46113CC257168001732EC/$File/2152.htm |title=Education Review Report: Auroa School |publisher=Education Review Office |date=April 2006 |accessdate=2008-06-26 }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
Association Football
The Auroa Association Football club was formed in May 1907.{{Cite news|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/OPUNT19070521.2.6?query=Auroa+football|title=Auroa|newspaper=Opunaki Times|date=21 May 1907|access-date=2020-06-09}} After the First World War the club re-emerged with two sides. A story of an Auroa player who covered nearly 20 miles on a ladies bicycle in just over an hour to deliver a misplaced bag to the Hawera train station appeared in the local newspaper in 1923.{{Cite web|date=23 November 2021|title=Association Football|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/HNS19230623.2.7.6|url-status=live|website=Papers Past|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211122182759/https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/HNS19230623.2.7.6 |archive-date=22 November 2021 }} In 1924 Mr. W. Brown from Auroa captained Taranaki against Chinese Universities at Hawera's Showgrounds. In 1926 Auroa won the Taranaki Championship and Julian Cup.{{Cite web|title=New Zealand - List of Champions|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesn/nzchamp.html|access-date=2020-06-09|website=RSSSF}} In 1927 Mr. Freakley from Auroa captained Taranaki against Canada at New Plymouth's Pukekura Park.{{Cite web|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/STEP19270523.2.3?query=Canada+Taranaki+team+selected|newspaper=Stratford Evening Post|date=23 May 1927|title=Association Football|access-date=2020-06-09}}
References
{{reflist}}
Further reading
=General historical works=
:*{{citation |editor-first = Beryl |editor-last = Brown |title = Auroa: school & districts centennial, 1891-1991 |place = Stratford, [N.Z.] |publisher = Stratford Press & Printing |year = 1991 |isbn = 0-908904-09-6}}
=Clubs and organisations=
:*{{citation |title = Auroa Highland Pipe Band Inc.: 1928-1978: Golden Jubilee souvenir booklet: 3rd & 4th June,1978. |place = Auroa, [N.Z.] |publisher = Auroa Highland Pipe Band Inc. |year = 1978}}
=Schools=
:*{{citation |title = School register index: Oeo 1910 - 1984 : Otakeho to 1984 : Te Roti to 1984 : Tokaora to 1984 : Matapu to 1984 : Auroa : Okaiawa to 1984 : Kapuni |place = n.p. |publisher = n.p. |date = n.d.}}
:*{{citation |editor-first = Beryl |editor-last = Brown |title = Auroa: school & districts centennial, 1891-1991 |place = Stratford, [N.Z.] |publisher = Stratford Press & Printing |year = 1991 |isbn = 0-908904-09-6}}
:*{{citation |editor-first = Patricia |editor-last = Robins |title = Auroa (Ratanui) School 75th jubilee, 1891-1966 |place = Auroa, [N.Z.] |publisher = 75th Jubilee Executive Committee |year = 1966}}
{{South Taranaki District}}