Rawene

Image:Rawene building.jpg

Rawene started as a timber centre, with a mill and shipyardsMost shipbuilding in the Hokianga occurred at Kohukohu, New Zealand and Horeke established in the early 19th century. An attempted settlement by the first New Zealand Company in 1826 failed. Captain James Herd in 1822 had taken out the first shipment of kauri from the Hokianga in his ship Providence. In 1825 he returned as an agent for the Company, sailing the Rosanna in company with the Lambton,

{{cite book

| last1 = Moon

| first1 = Paul

| author-link1 = Paul Moon

| title = A Savage Country

| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=KFBN8Vp5W8EC

| publisher = Penguin Books Limited

| publication-date = 2012

| isbn = 9781742532431

| access-date = 2016-05-03

| quote = The company acquired two ships – the Rosanna and the Lambton – with James Herd, whom the Company had appointed to lead the expedition, as captain of the former.

}}

and 60 settlers between the two vessels. Starting at Stewart Island / Rakiura,{{cite journal |last1=Moon |first1=Paul |title=Thomas Shepherd and the First New Zealand Company |journal=New Zealand Journal of History |date=2013 |volume=47 |url=http://www.nzjh.auckland.ac.nz/docs/2013/NZJH_47_1_02.pdf}} Herd sailed up the east coast eventually rounding North Cape to enter Hokianga - his old stamping ground. Herd negotiated to buy a vast tract of land.The deed lies in National Archives in Wellington, with a photocopy held by the Hokianga Historical Society. The deal was contested{{by whom|date=May 2016}} but for decades Europeans referred to the town as "Herd's Point".{{cite book|url=http://www.wcl.govt.nz/heritage/rosanna.pdf|title=The Rosanna Settlers|last=McDonnell|first=Hilda|year=2002|pages=72|chapter=Northern New Zealand}} Later it was called "Hokianga Township", and in 1884 it became "Rawene", possibly to identify the post office and telegraph.{{cite book|title= Township of Rawene|last= Irvine|first= Jean|year= 1976}}{{request quotation|date=May 2016}}

The post office had started operating by 1845 - one of eight in the country.{{cite encyclopedia|url= http://www.teara.govt.nz/1966/P/PostOffice/History/en|title= POST OFFICE - HISTORY|encyclopedia= Encyclopedia of New Zealand (1966)}}

Aperahama Taonui, chief of Te Popoto hapū, allegedly operated a school at Rawene in the mid-19th century.{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/1966/T/TaonuiAperahama/TaonuiAperahama/en|title=TAONUI, Aperahama|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of New Zealand (1966)}}

James Reddy Clendon, previously the United States Consul to New Zealand, settled in Rawene in 1862 and served as the local magistrate under the Native Circuit Courts Act until 1867.{{cite web|url= http://www.dnzb.govt.nz/dnzb/default.asp?Find_Quick.asp?PersonEssay=1C19

|title= Clendon, James Reddy|publisher= Dictionary of New Zealand Biography}} His house still stands and is open to the public.{{cite web|url= http://www.historic.org.nz/places2visit/places2visit_northland.html#1|title= Northland Heritage Sites|publisher= Heritage New Zealand}}

By 1872 Rawene had two hotels and two stores. There was a Wesleyan church, and the Roman Catholics owned a section. Von Sturmer was the Postmaster, Customs Officer and Magistrate.{{cite book|title= Remember the Hokianga|editor= Olive Harris and Chris Lancaster|isbn= 978-0-473-11859-4|chapter= The Pioneers Reminisce - Memoirs of Alfred Cooke Yarborough|year= 2006|page= 162|publisher= O. Harris}}

During the Dog Tax War of 1898 the residents of Rawene left for Kohukohu or took refuge on a steamer after the tax rebels threatened to march on the town.Alfred Cooke Yarborough in Remember the Hokianga p 164 On 5 May 1898 120 men marched from Rawene to Waima to deal with the "rebels", but the dispute was settled without them.{{cite encyclopedia|url= http://www.teara.govt.nz/1966/H/HokiangaAndHarbour/HokiangaAndHarbour/en|title= HOKIANGA AND HARBOUR|encyclopedia= Encyclopedia of New Zealand (1966) | quote = In May 1898 Hokianga was the scene of the famous "Dog Tax Rebellion". This arose when the Mahurehure hapu of Ngapuhi tribe refused to pay a dog tax recently instituted by the local county council. On 5 May 120 men of the Permanent Force under Colonel Newall marched from Rawene to Waima, the seat of the "rebellion", only to find that Hone Heke, M.H.R., had already interceded to preserve the peace.}}

File:View of Rawene, 1918. ATLIB 296503.png

A small cottage hospital was built on a hill overlooking the town in 1910.{{cite encyclopedia|url= http://www.teara.govt.nz/Places/Northland/Northland/13/ENZ-Resources/Standard/2/en|title= Northland - Hospital services|encyclopedia= Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand}} A new hospital was completed in 1928.{{cite web|url= http://www.hokiangahealth.org.nz/system/showpage.asp?section=history&page=the_hospital_in_1928.xml|title= History: The Hospital in 1928|publisher= Hokianga Health Enterprise Trust}} Dr George McCall Smith headed the hospital from 1914 to 1948 and developed a unique health-system for the Hokianga.{{cite book|title= A Northland Legend: Dr G.M. Smith of Rawene 1883 – 1958|last= Parkes|first= W. F.|publisher= The Auckland Medical History Society|date= August 2004|isbn= 0-476-00851-4}}

Dr Smith became a practitioner of "painless childbirth" in the early 1930s, using premedication with the barbiturate Nembutal combined with Hyoscine. This proved very popular and attracted women to Rawene from far afield. The annual average of thirty births per year now peaked at two hundred. In 1937 a "Commission of Inquiry into Maternity Services" investigated Smith's practice. Smith fronted up with case notes on his last two hundred patients, and his results could not be bettered anywhere.Parkes, pp 18-19

Parliament declared a special health area in the 1940s.Parliament gazetted the scheme on 1 September 1941 (NZ Gazette, 28 August 1941, p2702, but it lay in limbo until September 1945 before a "trial period" could begin. By 1947 the hospital boards in Northland were amalgamated but Hokianga retained its special area - it was finally official. This meant that all medical officers in the Hokianga were salaried, and all consultations, pharmaceuticals, investigations and hospital admissions were free. The whole scheme was funded through a per-capita grant.Parkes, pp 22-23{{cite web|url= http://www.hokiangahealth.org.nz/system/showpage.asp?section=history&page=dr_g_m_smith.xml|title= History: Dr G M Smith|publisher= Hokianga Health Enterprise Trust}}

Statistics New Zealand describes Rawene as a rural settlement. It covers {{Convert|2.15|km2||abbr=on}} and had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2018|Rawene|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2018|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Rawene|y}}|R}}/2.15}} people per km². The settlement is part of the larger Hokianga South statistical area.

{{Historical populations|2006|441|2013|471|2018|495|2023|474|percentages=pagr|align=left|title=Historical population for Rawene|source={{NZ census 2018|7000324–7000326}}}}

Rāwene had a population of 474 in the 2023 New Zealand census, a decrease of 21 people (−4.2%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 3 people (0.6%) since the 2013 census. There were 237 males and 237 females in 207 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%2Bdo1.1018.2023&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}} 2.5% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 55.4 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 72 people (15.2%) aged under 15 years, 57 (12.0%) aged 15 to 29, 177 (37.3%) aged 30 to 64, and 168 (35.4%) aged 65 or older.

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 55.7% European (Pākehā); 61.4% Māori; 8.2% Pasifika; 2.5% Asian; 0.6% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 1.3% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 96.2%, Māori language by 24.7%, Samoan by 1.3% and other languages by 7.0%. No language could be spoken by 2.5% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 1.3%. The percentage of people born overseas was 15.2, compared with 28.8% nationally.

Religious affiliations were 39.2% Christian, 4.4% Māori religious beliefs, and 1.9% New Age. People who answered that they had no religion were 46.2%, and 7.6% of people did not answer the census question.

Of those at least 15 years old, 54 (13.4%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 201 (50.0%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 126 (31.3%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $25,100, compared with $41,500 nationally. 18 people (4.5%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 99 (24.6%) people were employed full-time, 66 (16.4%) were part-time, and 18 (4.5%) were 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%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.1018.2013%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=Rāwene (1018)}}

The statistical area of Hokianga South, which also includes Whirinaki, covers {{Convert|126.04|km2||abbr=on}}{{Cite web|title=ArcGIS Web Application|url=https://statsnz.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=6f49867abe464f86ac7526552fe19787| access-date=13 November 2023|website=statsnz.maps.arcgis.com}} and had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Hokianga South|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Hokianga South|y}}|R}}/126.04|1}} people per km².

{{Historical populations|2006|1,065|2013|1,239|2018|1,236|2023|1,359|percentages=pagr|align=left|title=Historical population for Hokianga South|source={{NZ census 2018|Hokianga South (102100)|hokianga-south|Hokianga South}}}}

Hokianga South had a population of 1,359 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 123 people (10.0%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 120 people (9.7%) since the 2013 census. There were 669 males and 693 females in 480 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%2Bdo1.102100.2023&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}} 2.6% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 49.4 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 261 people (19.2%) aged under 15 years, 180 (13.2%) aged 15 to 29, 567 (41.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 345 (25.4%) aged 65 or older.

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 55.4% European (Pākehā); 62.3% Māori; 6.2% Pasifika; 1.8% Asian; 0.7% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.2% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 95.6%, Māori language by 27.4%, Samoan by 0.7% and other languages by 4.9%. No language could be spoken by 2.9% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.9%. The percentage of people born overseas was 10.6, compared with 28.8% nationally.

Religious affiliations were 38.9% Christian, 4.4% Māori religious beliefs, 0.2% Buddhist, 1.1% New Age, and 1.3% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 48.8%, and 5.7% of people did not answer the census question.

Of those at least 15 years old, 150 (13.7%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 573 (52.2%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 327 (29.8%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $24,900, compared with $41,500 nationally. 39 people (3.6%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 342 (31.1%) people were employed full-time, 198 (18.0%) were part-time, and 57 (5.2%) were 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%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.102100.2013%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=Hokianga South (102100)}}

Rawene School is a coeducational full primary (years 1-8) school{{TKI|1093|Rawene School}} has a roll of {{NZ school roll data|1093|y}} students as of {{NZ school roll data|||y|y||.}}

A room for secondary students was added to Rawene Primary School in 1922. In 1947 a stand-alone Rawene District High School was built. It was extended in 1952, but was destroyed by fire in 1972.{{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10378080|title=Arson suspected in two fires|publisher=The New Zealand Herald | date=20 April 2006}}

The Rawene Learning Centre is a campus of NorthTec polytechnic.{{cite web|url=http://www.northtec.ac.nz/campuses.asp?pageid=12|title=CAMPUSES : RAWENE|publisher=NorthTec}}{{cite web|url=http://www.northtec.ac.nz/Pages/Rawene.aspx|title=Rawene|publisher=NorthTec|access-date=4 March 2010}}

• Norm Maxwell, rugby union footballer and All Black.
• Ron Guthrey, mayor of Christchurch (1968 to 1971).
• Gordon Cochrane, WWII RNZAF bomber pilot.
• René Shadbolt, nurse in Spanish Civil War, Hokianga hospital matron
• George McCall Smith, doctor, medical superintendent, community leader

{{Reflist}}

• {{Wikivoyage inline}}
• [http://www.communities.co.nz/rawene/ Rawene - Hokianga's Picturesque Port Town]
• [http://rawene.nz rawene.nz]
• [http://www.hokianga.com/rawene]

{{Authority control}}

{{Far North District}}

Category:Far North District

Category:Hokianga

Category:Populated places in the Northland Region