Putāruru#European Settlement

The town gets its name from a historic event which occurred nearby. Korekore a granddaughter of Raukawa, the founder of the Ngāti Raukawa iwi, was murdered by her husband Parahore. Her servant Ruru witnessed her murder and escaped into the forest where he hid and waited for Parahore and his men to give up their pursuit of him. The place where he exited the forest was named "Te Puta a Ruru" or "the exit of Ruru". This was eventually shorted to Putāruru.{{Cite web |title=About Putaruru – Pride in Putaruru|url= http://www.putaruru.co.nz/About-Putaruru|access-date=5 June 2020 |website=www.putaruru.co.nz}}{{Cite news |last=Easther |first=Elisabeth |date=12 March 2015|title=Kia ora: Putaruru|language=en-NZ|work=The New Zealand Herald |url= https://www.nzherald.co.nz/travel/news/article.cfm?c_id=7&objectid=11414307 |access-date=5 June 2020|issn=1170-0777}}{{sfn|Scherer|1992|p=8}}

{{More citations needed section|date=November 2020}}

There were several Māori settlements in the Putāruru district in pre-colonial times. Ngāti Raukawa is the main tribe or iwi in the area and Ngāti Mahana is the hapū (subtribe) within Putāruru. During Te Rauparaha's migration to the Cook Strait area in the 1820s, many Ngāti Raukawa people moved from these settlements to Rangitikei and Manawatu localities, and others followed after the Siege of Ōrākau in 1864. Te Kooti and his followers were pursued through the district early in 1870 by a force under Lt-Col. Thomas McDonnell.

The Patetere Block, containing the future town site of Putāruru, was acquired from the Māori in the 1860s. In the early 1880s large areas in the Putāruru district came into the possession of the Patetere Land Company, and from 1883 much of this land passed into the hands of the Thames Valley Land Company. Roadmaking commenced in the late 1880s, but the railway, begun by the Thames Valley and Rotorua Railway Co., was the most important factor in the progress of settlement in the area.

The first settler{{who|date=December 2024}} in the district bought his section in 1892.

In the 1880s Putāruru consisted of little more than a hotel and a blacksmith shop.

Exotic afforestation was begun in the district some time after 1910 by a land and timber company with an outlet to the Hamilton-Rotorua railway near Pinedale. Commercial tree planting with Pinus radiata took place between 1924 and 1928 on the Pinedale Block. Milling began in 1940–41 and by 1951 the area had been cut out and replanted. Larger areas further south were planted in 1924 for future milling and to provide the raw material for pulp and paper manufacture. The town of Putāruru was surveyed in 1905 and on 18 December an area of 50,987 acres (206 km²), which had been acquired from the Thames Valley Land Co. by the Crown and included town allotments in Putāruru and Lichfield, was opened by ballot.

The history of the local timber industry is preserved in the New Zealand Timber Museum.

Much of the land in the Putāruru district suffered from a cobalt deficiency, which made farming practically impossible, but since 1935 measures have been taken to restore fertility, and farming has expanded. Putāruru was created a town district in 1926, and on 1 July 1947 it was constituted a borough.

File:Putaruru_Railway_Station_and_railway_yards,_1923._ATLIB_293628.png

The Putāruru area has two marae, affiliated with the hapū of Ngāti Raukawa:

• Mangakāretu Marae and Ngā Hau e Maha meeting house are affiliated with Ngāti Ahuru
• Whakaaratamaiti Marae and Korōria meeting house are affiliated with Ngāti Ahuru and Ngāti Mahana{{cite web|title=Te Kāhui Māngai directory|url= http://www.tkm.govt.nz/ |website=tkm.govt.nz|publisher=Te Puni Kōkiri}}{{cite web |title=Māori Maps |url=https://maorimaps.com/map |website=maorimaps.com |publisher=Te Potiki National Trust}}

In October 2020, the Government committed $1,259,392 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade Mangakāretu Marae, Whakaaratamaiti Marae and 6 other Ngāti Raukawa marae, creating 18 jobs.{{cite web |title=Marae Announcements |url=https://www.growregions.govt.nz/assets/funding-announcements/marae-announcements.xlsx |website=growregions.govt.nz |publisher=Provincial Growth Fund |format=Excel |date=9 October 2020}}

One of Putaruru’s most prominent features is it historical skate-bowl park. It was built in the 1980s, as one of the first skate parks in the country, and was recently chosen for a major refurbishment project. This community-led project is set to receive $550,000 from the South Waikato District Council in order to facilitate its upgrade. Intended upgrades include additional skating features, court area, and seating area. {{Cite web|date=2021-05-24|title=South Waikato town's historic skate bowl set for major upgrade|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/300313121/south-waikato-towns-historic-skate-bowl-set-for-major-upgrade|access-date=2021-06-01|website=Stuff |language=en}}

Stats NZ describes Putāruru as a small urban area, which covers {{Convert|6.81|km2||abbr=on}}.{{Cite web|title=Stats NZ Geographic Data Service|url=https://datafinder.stats.govt.nz/data/|at=Urban Rural 2023 (generalised)|access-date=1 May 2025}} It had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2018|Putaruru|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2018|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Putaruru|y}}|R}}/6.81|0}} people per km².

{{Historical populations|1996|4,047|2001|3,783|2006|3,930|2013|3,945|2018|4,314|2023|4,455|percentages=pagr|align=left|source={{NZ census 2018|Putāruru (186000)|putaruru|Putāruru}}|footnote=The population figures before 2006 may be for slightly different boundaries.}}

Putāruru had a population of 4,455 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 141 people (3.3%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 510 people (12.9%) since the 2013 census. There were 2,151 males, 2,295 females, and 9 people of other genders in 1,692 dwellings.{{cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_005&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=doTotal%2Bdo1.1197.2023&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_DWD_003|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses}} 2.2% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 43.1 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 888 people (19.9%) aged under 15 years, 729 (16.4%) aged 15 to 29, 1,764 (39.6%) aged 30 to 64, and 1,074 (24.1%) aged 65 or older.

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 74.0% European (Pākehā); 37.2% Māori; 3.8% Pasifika; 4.8% Asian; 0.3% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.0% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 97.5%, Māori by 9.4%, Samoan by 0.1%, and other languages by 5.2%. No language could be spoken by 1.8% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.7%. The percentage of people born overseas was 13.1, compared with 28.8% nationally.

Religious affiliations were 29.8% Christian, 0.8% Hindu, 0.3% Islam, 3.0% Māori religious beliefs, 0.8% Buddhist, 0.5% New Age, 0.1% Jewish, and 0.9% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 54.7%, and 9.4% of people did not answer the census question.

Of those at least 15 years old, 342 (9.6%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 1,941 (54.4%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 1,284 (36.0%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $30,100, compared with $41,500 nationally. 156 people (4.4%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 1,416 (39.7%) full-time, 432 (12.1%) part-time, and 156 (4.4%) unemployed.{{Cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_008&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=hq011%2Bhq010%2Bhq009%2Bhq008%2Bhq007%2Bhq006%2Bhq005%2Bhq004%2Bhq003%2Bhq002%2Bhq001%2Bhq000%2Bws1%2Bsp99%2Bra80%2Bra08%2Bra07%2Bra06%2Bra05%2Bra01%2Bra04%2Bra03%2Bra02%2Bra00%2Brb1%2Bls66%2Bls03%2Bls02%2Bls05%2Bls04%2Bls01%2Beg6%2Beg5%2Beg4%2Beg3%2Beg2%2Beg1%2BbiTotal%2Bbi0%2Bbi1%2BasTotalLG%2Bas4%2Bas3%2Bas2%2Bas1%2Bws4%2Bws3%2Bws2%2Bge3%2Bge2%2Bge1%2Brc%2BasMed%2BegTotal%2BlsTotal%2BgeTotal%2BrbTotal%2BraTotal%2BhqTotal%2BibTotal%2Bib7%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.1197.2013%2B2018%2B2023&to[TIME]=false&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_IND_003&ly[cl]=CEN23_YEAR_001|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses|at=Putāruru (1197)}}

Putāruru Rural statistical area, which includes Arapuni, Waotu and Lichfield, covers {{Convert|555.80|km2||abbr=on}}{{Cite web|title=Stats NZ Geographic Data Service|url=https://datafinder.stats.govt.nz/data/|at=Statistical Area 2 2023 (generalised)|access-date=1 May 2025}} and had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Putaruru Rural|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Putaruru Rural|y}}|R}}/555.80|1}} people per km².

{{Historical populations|2006|2,238|2013|2,223|2018|2,373|2023|2,538|percentages=pagr|align=left||title=Historical populations for the rural surrounds|source={{NZ census 2018|Putāruru Rural (185900)|putaruru-rural|Putāruru Rural}}}}

Putāruru Rural had a population of 2,538 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 165 people (7.0%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 315 people (14.2%) since the 2013 census. There were 1,287 males, 1,242 females, and 6 people of other genders in 930 dwellings.{{cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_005&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=doTotal%2Bdo1.185900.2023&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_DWD_003|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses}} 1.9% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 36.6 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 603 people (23.8%) aged under 15 years, 399 (15.7%) aged 15 to 29, 1,176 (46.3%) aged 30 to 64, and 363 (14.3%) aged 65 or older.

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 86.6% European (Pākehā); 19.7% Māori; 2.2% Pasifika; 4.3% Asian; 0.6% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.4% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 96.8%, Māori by 4.6%, Samoan by 0.1%, and other languages by 6.7%. No language could be spoken by 2.4% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.6%. The percentage of people born overseas was 13.4, compared with 28.8% nationally.

Religious affiliations were 30.4% Christian, 0.5% Hindu, 0.8% Māori religious beliefs, 0.2% Buddhist, 0.4% New Age, 0.1% Jewish, and 1.2% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 56.3%, and 10.4% of people did not answer the census question.

Of those at least 15 years old, 318 (16.4%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 1,176 (60.8%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 444 (22.9%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $47,700, compared with $41,500 nationally. 198 people (10.2%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 1,125 (58.1%) full-time, 267 (13.8%) part-time, and 33 (1.7%) unemployed.{{Cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_008&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=hq011%2Bhq010%2Bhq009%2Bhq008%2Bhq007%2Bhq006%2Bhq005%2Bhq004%2Bhq003%2Bhq002%2Bhq001%2Bhq000%2Bws1%2Bsp99%2Bra80%2Bra08%2Bra07%2Bra06%2Bra05%2Bra01%2Bra04%2Bra03%2Bra02%2Bra00%2Brb1%2Bls66%2Bls03%2Bls02%2Bls05%2Bls04%2Bls01%2Beg6%2Beg5%2Beg4%2Beg3%2Beg2%2Beg1%2BbiTotal%2Bbi0%2Bbi1%2BasTotalLG%2Bas4%2Bas3%2Bas2%2Bas1%2Bws4%2Bws3%2Bws2%2Bge3%2Bge2%2Bge1%2Brc%2BasMed%2BegTotal%2BlsTotal%2BgeTotal%2BrbTotal%2BraTotal%2BhqTotal%2BibTotal%2Bib7%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.185900.2013%2B2018%2B2023&to[TIME]=false&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_IND_003&ly[cl]=CEN23_YEAR_001|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses|at=Putāruru Rural (185900)}}

Putāruru's economy is based on farming, forestry and timber production.

The nearby Blue Spring is the current source of about 70% of New Zealand's bottled water.{{cite web |url=http://www.tewaihouwater.co.nz |title=Brand Family |publisher=Aquasplash |access-date=30 September 2017}} Much of the town's water comes from the spring, which is on the Waihou River to the north east.{{Cite web|url=https://www.southwaikato.govt.nz/our-district/sport-and-recreation/parks-and-reserves/Pages/Te-Waihou-Walkway.aspx|title=Te Waihou Walkway|website=www.southwaikato.govt.nz|language=en-NZ|access-date=15 July 2018}}

{{Main|Rotorua Branch}}

Construction of the Rotorua Branch line was started by the New Zealand Thames Valley Land Company (NZTVLC). The line reached Oxford (Tīrau) on 8 March 1886 and Putāruru and Lichfield, {{Convert|8.22|km|abbr=on}} further south-east, on Monday 21 June 1886.{{Cite web|url=http://www.railheritage.org.nz/assets/dates_and_names.pdf|title=Names & Opening & Closing Dates of Railway Stations|last=Scoble|first=Juliet|date=2010|website=Rail Heritage Trust of New Zealand}}

The New Zealand Railways Department (NZR) took over the line on 1 April 1886.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Stations|url=http://railheritage.org.nz/assets/Heritage_listings.pdf|access-date=2020-08-10|website=NZR Rolling Stock Lists|language=en}}

The {{Convert|11.8|km|abbr=on}} Putāruru-Ngātira section of the line to Rotorua was built by contractor Daniel Fallon, and work was underway by April 1887.{{cite news |title=Rotorua railway works... |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS18870319.2.14 |access-date=18 Aug 2024 | page=2 | work=Auckland Star |date=19 March 1887}}{{Cite news|date=30 Apr 1887|title=Untitled |work=Waikato Times | page=2 |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT18870430.2.9 | access-date=18 Aug 2024}}

The branch opened on 8 December 1894.{{Cite web|date=8 Dec 1894|title=AUCKLAND-ROTORUA RAILWAY. NEW ZEALAND TIMES|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZTIM18941208.2.20|access-date=2021-04-24|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}} Putāruru was then served by the Rotorua Express.

{{Main|Taupo Totara Timber Railway}}

In the early 1900s the Taupo Totara Timber Company (TTT) acquired bush blocks north and north-west of Lake Taupō and erected a sawmill at Mokai. The company built a {{convert|51|mi|km}} railway between Mokai and Putāruru, where it connected with the NZ Government Railway. The TTT railway opened in 1905{{cite news |title=The Taupo Totara Timber Company |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WAIGUS19051110.2.7 |access-date=25 Jun 2024 |work=Waikato Argus |date=10 Nov 1905|page=2 }} as a private carrier, carrying TTT staff and their families, guests,{{cite news |title=A Big Private Enterprise: Line Built by the Taupo Totara Timber Company to Connect Their Mill with the Government Railway |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/new-zealand-graphic/1905/08/26/23 |access-date=5 June 2024 |work=New Zealand Graphic |date=26 August 1905 |pages=23, 36, 37}}

{{cite news |title=Visit to Taupo Totara Timber Co's Mill at Mokai |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/new-zealand-graphic/1905/09/02/24 |access-date=5 June 2024 |work=New Zealand Graphic |date=2 September 1905 |pages=24-29}}

{{cite news |title=Taupo Totara Timber Company: An Important Industry |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WAIGUS19050911.2.10 |access-date=25 June 2024 |work=Waikato Argus |date=11 September 1905 |page=2}}{{cite news |title=Taupo Totara Timber Company: An Important Industry (concluded)|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WAIGUS19050912.2.19 |access-date=25 June 2024 |work=Waikato Argus |date=12 September 1905 |page=4}} freight, and mail{{cite book |title=The Taupo Totara Timber Company Limited minutes 1901 - 1907 |date=1907 |publisher=The Taupo Totara Timber Company Limited |location=Wellington, NZ |pages=283, 284}}{{cite book |title=AJHR, 1907 Section F-3: Inland Mail-Services, 1907-1908 |date=1907 |publisher=Government Printer |location=Wellington, NZ | page=3|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/AJHR1907-I.2.3.3.3}} between Putāruru and Mokai.

From January 29, 1908, the TTT Railway opened its freight and passenger{{cite news |title=Putāruru to Mokai: A New Route to Taupo: Auckland Highlands: Timber Milling Enterprise No. I |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=29 May 1908 |page=7 |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19080529.2.87 |access-date=22 June 2024}} services to the public.

{{Main|Kinleith Branch}}

The NZ Government purchased a {{convert|19|mi|km}} section of the TTT Railway,{{sfn|Scherer|1992|p=74}} from Putāruru to the "19-Mile Peg", near the present-day location of the Kinleith Paper Mill south of Tokoroa.{{Cite news|title=Government Buys Railway |date=18 Oct 1946 |work=Waikato Independent |page=2 |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WAIKIN19461018.2.5|access-date=18 Aug 2024 }} From Tuesday, 10 June 1947, the NZ Government took over the operation of this part of the TTT line.{{cite news |title=T.T.T. Line: Government Takes Portion: To Serve Hydro Projects |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/PUP19470612.2.28 |access-date=20 Aug 2024 |work=Putaruru Press |date=12 Jun 1947|page= }}

This section of railway was reconstructed under a NZ Government scheme for development of the Waikato River basin and surrounding areas.{{cite book |title=New Zealand Gazette, Monday, July 1, 1946 |date=1946 |publisher=Government Printer |location=Wellington, NZ |pages=935, 936 |url=http://www.nzlii.org/nz/other/nz_gazette/1946/47.pdf |access-date=26 Aug 2024}}{{cite news |title=T.T.T. Line |work=Putaruru Press |date=20 January 1949 |page=8 |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/PUP19490120.2.52 |access-date=8 June 2024}} The project was completed on 6 October 1952.

Putāruru railway station was near the junction of Arapuni and Princes Streets,{{Cite web|title=42 Princes St|url=https://www.google.com/maps/@-38.0528039,175.7801356,3a,30y,103.2h,94.77t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1shOo9iJNoysC_vzdaLPIkoQ!2e0!5s20100201T000000!7i13312!8i6656|access-date=2021-04-24|website=Google Maps|language=en}} {{Convert|0.61|km|abbr=on}} north of the junction of the Kinleith Branch with the former Rotorua Branch.

In August 1886 the station had a {{Convert|14|ft|abbr=on}} by {{Convert|8|ft|abbr=on}} shelter shed, three cottages, a {{Convert|30|ft|abbr=on}} by {{Convert|40|ft|abbr=on}} goods shed and an incomplete station master's house.

Putāruru was still a flag station{{Cite web|date=17 Jun 1886|title=Waikato Times |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT18860617.2.23.4|access-date=2021-04-24|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}} in 1890, when the daily train took about 3 hours to cover the {{Convert|88.03|km|||abbr=on}} between Putāruru and Frankton (Hamilton).{{Cite web|date=21 Jun 1890|title=TE AROHA NEWS|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TAN18900621.2.2.7|access-date=2021-04-23|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}

About the time of the Rotorua Branch's completion, the station was rebuilt and extended to about {{Convert|64|ft|abbr=on}} long. It had a refreshment room{{Cite news|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19250225.2.36|title=Fire on Railway Station|date=25 February 1925|work=New Zealand Herald |access-date=14 May 2018|pages=8}}{{Cite web|url=https://atojs.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/atojs?a=d&d=AJHR1926-I.1.1890|title=Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives — 1926 Session I — D-02 Page XLI Railways Statement by The Minister of Railways, The Right Hon. J. G. Coates.|website=atojs.natlib.govt.nz|language=en-NZ|access-date=14 May 2018}} and a bookstall{{Cite news|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19290419.2.134|title=Railway Bookstalls.|date=19 April 1929|work=New Zealand Herald |access-date=14 May 2018|pages=14}} and, from 1907, the railway yard had a {{Convert|50|ft|abbr=on}}{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Stations|url=http://railheritage.org.nz/assets/Heritage_listings.pdf|access-date=2020-08-10|website=NZR Rolling Stock Lists|language=en}} turntable{{Cite web|url=https://atojs.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/atojs?a=d&d=AJHR1934-I.2.2.3.2|title=Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives — 1934 Session I — D-02 GOVERNMENT RAILWAYS BOARD (REPORT BY THE).|website=atojs.natlib.govt.nz|language=en-NZ|access-date=14 May 2018}} and handled much livestock,{{Cite news|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19361112.2.12|title=Putaruru Items.|date=12 November 1936|work=Auckland Star |access-date=14 May 2018|pages=3}} as well as timber. The refreshment room, run by the hotel until 1919, burnt down in 1925 and was replaced by a room to the south of the main building, which closed in 1968.

Putāruru railway station closed to passengers on 12 November 1968 and freight on 10 December 2002, though it was served by the Geyserland Express from 1991 to 2001.{{Cite web|title=bettertransport.org.nz • View topic – Inter-regional Rail service distances and times|url=http://www.bettertransport.org.nz/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=1519&start=40|website=www.bettertransport.org.nz|access-date=22 May 2020}} The station was demolished during March and April 2013.{{Cite web|date=July 2015|title=Archaeological Monitoring of the Putaruru Junction Railway Station|url=https://dl.heritage.org.nz/greenstone3/library?a=p&sa=verify&c=pdf-reports&url=%2Fgreenstone3%2Flibrary%2Fsites%2Fheritage-nz%2Fcollect%2Fpdf-reports%2Findex%2Fassoc%2FSimmons7%2F1.dir%2FSimmons71.pdf|access-date=2021-04-24|website=dl.heritage.org.nz}} Only a signals equipment shelter{{Cite web|title=42 Princes St|url=https://www.google.com/maps/@-38.0527364,175.7800699,3a,15y,76.22h,89.8t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sE_Re8f-ioG5dO4iT2gAHKg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192|access-date=2021-04-24|website=Google Maps|language=en}} and a passing loop now remain on the station site.{{Cite web|title=Main St|url=https://www.google.com/maps/@-38.0511445,175.7794952,3a,15y,148.42h,89.99t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sjPe8h842rMHuhwTMH0MKkg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192|access-date=2021-04-24|website=Google Maps|language=en}}

{{s-start|noclear=yes}}

{{s-note|text=Former adjoining stations}}

{{Rail line|previous=Terminus at Putāruru|next=Pinedale
Line closed, station closed
{{convert|3.95|km|abbr=on}}
|route=Rotorua Branch|col={{BR(E) colour}}}}

{{Rail line|previous=Taumangi
Line open, station closed
{{convert|3.7|km|abbr=on}}|next=Lichfield
Line open, station closed
{{convert|7.83|km|abbr=on}}{{Cite book|last1=Yonge|first1=John Roger|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OsnRPgAACAAJ|title=New Zealand Railway and Tramway Atlas|date=1993|publisher=Quail Map Company|isbn=9780900609923|language=en}}|route=Kinleith Branch|col={{BR(E) colour}}}}

{{s-end}}

Taumangi (or Taumanga) was a flag station{{Cite web|date=21 Jun 1890|title=TE AROHA NEWS|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TAN18900621.2.2.7|access-date=2021-04-24|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}} {{Convert|3.7|km|abbr=on}} north of Putāruru and {{Convert|5.79|km|abbr=on}} south of Tīrau. It was just south of Taumangi Road.{{Cite web|date=1947|title=1:63360 map Sheet: N75 Arapuni|url=http://www.mapspast.org.nz/?zoom=13&x=1843200&y=5787631&layerid=NZMS1%201959|access-date=2021-04-24|website=www.mapspast.org.nz}} In 1923 Taumangi Road was diverted north,{{Cite web|date=16 Aug 1944|title=Survey Number: SN255 Run Number: 704 Photo Number: 25|url=https://files.interpret.co.nz/Retrolens/Imagery/SN255/Crown_255_704_25/High.jpg|website=Retrolens}} when a bridge replaced the former level crossing.{{Cite web|date=27 Jan 1923|title=DISTRICT NEWS. WAIKATO TIMES|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT19230127.2.57|access-date=2021-04-24|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}

Taumangi opened on the same day as Putāruru, 8 March 1886. By August 1886 there was a {{Convert|14|ft|abbr=on}} by {{Convert|8|ft|abbr=on}} shelter shed and two cottages and by 1896 there was also a platform and cart approach. In 1925 it was noted that inwards traffic was of timber, shingle, gravel, coal, 13 loads of manure, a wagon of lime, hardware and small goods. The public siding closed on 8 September 1941, as it was in a poor condition, but the station remained open for passengers until 22 November 1948, and for parcels, and roadside traffic until 30 July 1951.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Stations|url=http://railheritage.org.nz/assets/Heritage_listings.pdf|access-date=2020-08-10|website=NZR Rolling Stock Lists|language=en}} There is now only a single line through the station site.{{Cite web|title=Taumangi Rd|url=https://www.google.com/maps/@-38.0220567,175.7637324,3a,15y,164.47h,88.82t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s4NwGVxkvGG2gf1EdMXg-Nw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656|access-date=2021-04-24|website=Google Maps|language=en}}

{{Weather box|width=auto

|metric first=y

|single line=y

|location = Putāruru (1951–1980)

| Jan high C = 22.9

| Feb high C = 23.6

| Mar high C = 21.8

| Apr high C = 18.8

| May high C = 15.4

| Jun high C = 12.9

| Jul high C = 12.4

| Aug high C = 13.6

| Sep high C = 15.1

| Oct high C = 16.9

| Nov high C = 18.8

| Dec high C = 21.0

| year high C =

| Jan mean C = 17.2

| Feb mean C = 17.8

| Mar mean C = 16.3

| Apr mean C = 13.4

| May mean C = 10.6

| Jun mean C = 8.3

| Jul mean C = 7.6

| Aug mean C = 8.7

| Sep mean C = 10.3

| Oct mean C = 12.1

| Nov mean C = 13.7

| Dec mean C = 15.9

| year mean C =

| Jan low C = 11.5

| Feb low C = 11.9

| Mar low C = 10.7

| Apr low C = 7.9

| May low C = 5.7

| Jun low C = 3.6

| Jul low C = 2.7

| Aug low C = 3.8

| Sep low C = 5.5

| Oct low C = 7.2

| Nov low C = 8.6

| Dec low C = 10.7

| year low C =

|rain colour = green

|Jan rain mm = 82

|Feb rain mm = 95

|Mar rain mm = 90

|Apr rain mm = 106

|May rain mm = 126

|Jun rain mm = 137

|Jul rain mm = 141

|Aug rain mm = 128

|Sep rain mm = 116

|Oct rain mm = 112

|Nov rain mm = 118

|Dec rain mm = 115

|year rain mm =

|source 1 = NIWA{{cite web

|url = https://data.niwa.co.nz/

|title = NIWA Datahub (Agent number: 2200)

|publisher = NIWA

|access-date = 20 Nov 2024}}

}}

Putāruru Primary School is a state primary school on the main street,{{cite web |title=Putaruru Primary School Official School Website |url=http://www.putaruru.school.nz |website=putaruru.school.nz}}{{cite web |title=Putaruru Primary School Ministry of Education School Profile |url=https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/find-school/school/profile?district=28®ion=5&school=1658 |website=educationcounts.govt.nz |publisher=Ministry of Education}} with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|1658|y}}.{{cite web |title=Putaruru Primary School Education Review Office Report |url=http://www.ero.govt.nz/report-view?id=1658 |website=ero.govt.nz |publisher=Education Review Office}} The school opened in 1906.{{cite web|url=https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/collection/object/1146897|title=Souvenir booklet of the golden jubilee celebrations, Putaruru School, October 12th to 14th, 1956; 1906- 1956|year=1956|last=Brickell|first=Leo Gordon|publisher=The Putaruru Press}}

Putāruru College is a state secondary school at the northern entrance of the town, by the Oraka River,{{cite web |title=Putaruru College Ministry of Education School Profile |url=https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/find-school/school/profile?district=28®ion=5&school=494 |website=educationcounts.govt.nz |publisher=Ministry of Education}} with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|494|y}}.{{cite web |title=Putaruru College Education Review Office Report |url=http://www.ero.govt.nz/report-view?id=494 |website=ero.govt.nz |publisher=Education Review Office}} It opened as Putaruru High School in 1929, and adopted its current name on merging with Putaruru Intermediate in 2003.{{cite web|url=https://www.putarurucollege.school.nz/about/about-putruru-college|title=About Putāruru College|publisher=Putāruru College|access-date=1 May 2025}}

Te Wharekura o Te Kaokaoroa o Pātetere is a Māori medium composite school,{{cite web |title=Te Wharekura o Te Kaokaoroa o Pātetere Ministry of Education School Profile |url=https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/find-school/school/profile?district=28®ion=5&school=567 |website=educationcounts.govt.nz |publisher=Ministry of Education}} with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|567|y}}.{{cite web |title=Te Wharekura o Te Kaokaoroa o Pātetere Education Review Office Report |url=http://www.ero.govt.nz/report-view?id=567 |website=ero.govt.nz |publisher=Education Review Office}} It opened in 2006.{{cite web|url=https://www.kaokaoroa.school.nz/our-school|title=Our School|publisher=Te Wharekura o Te Kaokaoroa o Pātetere|access-date=1 May 2025}}

St Mary's Catholic School is a state-integrated primary school,{{cite web |title=St Mary's Catholic School Ministry of Education School Profile |url=https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/find-school/school/profile?district=28®ion=5&school=1957 |website=educationcounts.govt.nz |publisher=Ministry of Education}} with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|1957|y}}.{{cite web |title=St Mary's Catholic School Education Review Office Report |url=http://www.ero.govt.nz/report-view?id=1957 |website=ero.govt.nz |publisher=Education Review Office}} The school opened in 1944.{{cite web|url=https://www.stmarysput.school.nz/about-us/|title=About Us|publisher=St Mary's Catholic School|access-date=1 May 2025}}

All these schools are co-educational. Rolls are as of {{NZ school roll data|||y|y||.}}

• Grant Fox (born 1962), former All Black
• Honey Hireme (born 1981), former New Zealand rugby player
• Glen Mitchell (born 1972), Olympic cyclist{{Cite sports-reference |title =Glen Mitchell |url = https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/mi/glen-mitchell-2.html |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200418031342/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/mi/glen-mitchell-2.html |url-status = dead |archive-date = 18 April 2020 |access-date=7 May 2017}}
• Lorraine Moller (born 1955), Olympic athlete
• Gareth Morgan (born 1953), economist, philanthropist
• Jennifer Robyn (Jenny) Shattock, former South Waikato mayor{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Matthew |date=2022-12-30 |title=This one's for the South Waikato - former mayor Jenny Shattock makes New Year's Honours list |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300768898/this-ones-for-the-south-waikato--former-mayor-jenny-shattock-makes-new-years-honours-list |access-date=2022-12-30 |website=Stuff |language=en}}
• Wayne Smith (born 1957), former All Black and former All Black coach

{{Reflist}}

{{refbegin}}

• {{cite book |last1=Scherer |first1=Vicki |title=Putaruru: Home of the Owl |date=1992 |publisher=South Waikato District Council |location=Tokoroa, NZ}}

{{refend}}

• [https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/photos/id/202589 1914] and [https://www.flickr.com/photos/petrajane/6108062733/ 2011] photos of railway station
• [http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Gov07_05Rail-t1-body-d15-d6.html#Gov07_05Rail-fig-Gov07_05Rail043a 1932 photo of brick water tank at the railway station]
• [http://www.nztimbermuseum.co.nz/ New Zealand Timber Museum]

{{South Waikato District}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Putaruru}}

Category:Populated places in Waikato

Category:South Waikato District