Takapau

The name of the town is taken from the Te Takapau pa.{{cite web |last1=Naus |first1=Natasha |last2=Dangerfield |first2=Alison |title=Oruawharo |url=https://www.heritage.org.nz/list-details/1048/Oruawharo |website=Heritage New Zealand |date=3 March 2012}}

Takapau was surveyed out of the Oruawharo station on 19 September 1876, under the auspice of Sydney Johnston, who was managing the station that belonged to his father. Sydney also made donations to establish St Vincent's Church (Catholic) and St Mark's Church (Anglican), the town hall, and library. In addition Sydney set aside land for the school and gifted land for a Plunket building. Many of the streets in Takapau are named after members of the Johnston family and the Takapau cemetery has a memorial gate dedicated to Sydney.

Takapau was once the centre of a large flax milling industry, and the community takes its name from the flax that grew in the expansive Takapau plains. The Māori word translates literally as "mat" or "carpet".

The largest business in Takapau is now the Silverfern Farms meat-processing plant, founded by the Hawke's Bay Farmers’ Meat Company in 1981. Kintail Honey, one of country's largest honey-packing and beekeeping operations, is also based in the town.

Statistics New Zealand describes Takapau as a rural settlement, which covers {{Convert|3.18|km2||abbr=on}}{{Cite web|title=ArcGIS Web Application|url=https://statsnz.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=6f49867abe464f86ac7526552fe19787|access-date=25 February 2023|website=statsnz.maps.arcgis.com}} and had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2018|Takapau|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2018|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Takapau|y}}|R}}/3.18|0}} people per km². It is part of the larger Makaretu statistical area.{{NZ census place summary 2018|makaretu|Makaretu}}

{{Historical populations|2006|516|2013|525|2018|597|percentages=pagr|align=left|source=}}

Takapau had a population of 597 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 72 people (13.7%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 81 people (15.7%) since the 2006 census. There were 216 households, comprising 309 males and 288 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.07 males per female, with 126 people (21.1%) aged under 15 years, 102 (17.1%) aged 15 to 29, 261 (43.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 99 (16.6%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 71.9% European/Pākehā, 41.7% Māori, 2.5% Pacific peoples, 3.0% Asian, and 1.5% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 54.8% had no religion, 29.1% were Christian, 4.5% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.5% were Hindu, 0.5% were Muslim, 1.5% were Buddhist and 2.5% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 33 (7.0%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 150 (31.8%) people had no formal qualifications. 24 people (5.1%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 234 (49.7%) people were employed full-time, 51 (10.8%) were part-time, and 18 (3.8%) were unemployed.{{NZ census 2018|7016705, 7016706, 7016708 and 7016709}}

The local Rongo o Tahu Marae is a tribal meeting ground for the Ngāti Kahungunu hapū of Ngāi Toroiwaho.{{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}}

Takapau School is a Year 1–8 co-educational state primary school,{{cite web |title=Official School Website |url=http://www.takapau.school.nz |website=takapau.school.nz}}{{cite web |title=Ministry of Education School Profile |url=https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/find-school/school/profile?district=28®ion=5&school=2684 |website=educationcounts.govt.nz |publisher=Ministry of Education}} with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|2684|y}} as of {{NZ school roll data|||y|y||.}}{{cite web |title=Education Review Office Report |url=https://ero.govt.nz/institution/2684/takapau-school |website=ero.govt.nz |publisher=Education Review Office}} The school opened in 1879.{{cite web|url=https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/discover/collections/record/am_library-catalogq40-88027?lang=mi-nz|title=Takapau Primary School : 125th Jubilee|publisher=Auckland Museum|access-date=25 February 2023}}

Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Takapau is a Year 1–8 is a co-educational state Kura Kaupapa Māori school,{{cite web |title=Ministry of Education School Profile |url=https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/find-school/school/profile?district=28®ion=5&school=1142 |website=educationcounts.govt.nz |publisher=Ministry of Education}} with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|1142|y}} as of {{NZ school roll data|||y|y||.}}{{cite web |title=Education Review Office Report |url=https://ero.govt.nz/institution/1142/tkkm-o-takapau |website=ero.govt.nz |publisher=Education Review Office}} The school opened in 1994.{{cite web|url=https://www.tkkmtakapau.school.nz/m%C5%8D-m%C4%81tou/h%C4%ABtori|title=Hītori|publisher=Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Takapau|access-date=25 February 2023}}

File:Takapau_with_a_J_Class_loco.jpg at Takapau June 1901{{Cite web|last=Wheeler|first=Thomas S|date=1994|title=All Aboard the Train|url=https://knowledgebank.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/node/435393/master/WheelerT651_AllAboardTheTrain.pdf|url-status=}}]]

Takapau had a railway station from 12 March 1877 to 27 September 1981.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Station Archive|url=http://railheritage.org.nz/assets/Station_Archive_4web.xls|url-status=|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=10 August 2020|website=NZR Rolling Stock Lists|language=en}} It was the terminus of the line from Spit for 10 months, until 25 January 1878, when the extension to Kopua opened.{{Cite web|date=2 Feb 1878|title=OUR HOME LETTER. HAWKE'S BAY HERALD|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/HBH18780202.2.12|url-status=|access-date=2021-09-03|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}} Takapau at that time was on the northern edge of the Seventy Mile Bush.{{Cite web|date=14 Mar 1877|title=NAPIER AND TAKAPAU RAILWAY. HAWKE'S BAY HERALD|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/HBH18770314.2.17|url-status=|access-date=2021-09-03|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}

Edmund Allan and Samuel{{Cite news|date=1887-05-16|title=Family Notices|pages=3|work=South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900)|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article46090210|access-date=2021-09-02}} Kingstreet{{Cite web|date=20 Dec 1909|title=OBITUARY. OAMARU MAIL|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/OAM19091220.2.38|url-status=|access-date=2021-09-02|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}} had a £14,100 contract to build the {{Convert|14|mi|abbr=on}} extension of the Napier to Waipukurau railway south to Takapau.{{Cite web|date=21 Apr 1874|title=Telegraphic Intelligence. HAWKE'S BAY TIMES|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/HBT18740421.2.9|url-status=|access-date=2021-08-24|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}} They built a 5th class station in 1875 and Donald McLeod, a Waipukurau carpenter,{{Cite web|date=25 Jun 1908|title=Personal Items. WAIPAWA MAIL|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WAIPM19080625.2.11|url-status=|access-date=2021-09-02|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}} built a goods shed and platform in 1877. Initially, only one train a day ran from Takapau.{{Cite web|date=30 Apr 1877|title=HAWKE'S BAY HERALD|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/HBH18770430.2.26|url-status=|access-date=2021-09-03|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}} In 1890 there were two trains a day.{{Cite web|date=6 Mar 1890|title=TIME TABLE N. Z. RAILWAYS. WAIPAWA MAIL|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WAIPM18900306.2.25|url-status=|access-date=2021-09-03|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}} There was a post office at the station from 1887 to 1911. By 1896 there were {{Convert|30|ft|abbr=on}} x {{Convert|20|ft|abbr=on}} and {{Convert|40|ft|abbr=on}} x {{Convert|30|ft|abbr=on}} goods sheds and also a cart approach, loading bank, cattle yards, stationmaster's house, urinals and a passing loop for 24 wagons, extended to 55 in 1911 and further extended in 1940. In 1905 a verandah was added and the platform extended. Electric lights were installed in 1921. Railway houses were built in 1928 and 1946.

On 27 September 1981 the old station closed and a new station and loop line opened near Oruawharo, {{Convert|3.78|km|abbr=on}}{{cite book|title=New Zealand Railway and Tramway Atlas|publisher=Quail Map Co.|year=1965|edition=First|pages=3 & 4}} to the east.{{Cite web|date=1985|title=1:50000 map Sheet: U23 Dannevirke|url=http://www.mapspast.org.nz/?zoom=12.58526677056817&x=1890262&y=5564036&layerid=NZMS1/260%201989|url-status=|access-date=2021-09-03|website=www.mapspast.org.nz}} The loop is still in use, with sidings linking to the Silver Fern Farms works and a platform and shelter remain,{{Cite web|date=Dec 2019|title=465 Oruawharo Rd|url=https://www.google.com/maps/@-40.0246641,176.3781982,3a,15y,92.91h,86.67t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sOz-b2rjnc0SO1o6O-PD_Cg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192|url-status=|access-date=2021-09-02|website=Google Maps|language=en}} which appear weed-grown in a 2015 photo.{{Citation|last=Anthony 851|title=Takapau Railway Station.|date=2015-01-25|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/84624351@N00/16466234792/|access-date=2021-09-03}} There has been no regular passenger train since at least 1995.{{Cite book|title=23 April 1995 Bay Express timetable}} There is now only a single line passing through the original Takapau station site.{{Cite web|date=Jul 2020|title=4 Takapau-Ormondville Rd|url=https://www.google.com/maps/@-40.0293995,176.3484646,3a,15y,193.4h,91.11t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1saphh37ycUX_k1wV5MtVYcQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192|url-status=|access-date=2021-09-02|website=Google Maps|language=en}}

There was also a passing loop at Whenuahou, {{Convert|4|mi|42|ch|abbr=on}} south of Takapau, which was originally used for construction of the viaduct to the south.

{{s-start|noclear=yes}}

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

{{Rail line|previous=Kopua
Line open, station closed
{{convert|9.36|km|abbr=on}}|next=Oruawharo
Line open, station closed
{{convert|4.7|km|abbr=on}}|route=Palmerston North–Gisborne Line|col={{BR(E) colour}}}}

{{s-end}}

{{Weather box|width=auto

|metric first=y

|single line=y

|collapsed = Y

|location = Takapau (1991–2020)

|Jan high C = 22.3

|Feb high C = 22.3

|Mar high C = 20.2

|Apr high C = 17.0

|May high C = 14.2

|Jun high C = 11.4

|Jul high C = 10.7

|Aug high C = 11.8

|Sep high C = 13.8

|Oct high C = 15.8

|Nov high C = 17.9

|Dec high C = 20.2

| year high C =

|Jan mean C = 16.7

|Feb mean C = 16.8

|Mar mean C = 14.8

|Apr mean C = 12.1

|May mean C = 9.9

|Jun mean C = 7.6

|Jul mean C = 6.8

|Aug mean C = 7.6

|Sep mean C = 9.3

|Oct mean C = 11.2

|Nov mean C = 12.9

|Dec mean C = 15.1

| year mean C =

|Jan low C = 11.1

|Feb low C = 11.2

|Mar low C = 9.5

|Apr low C = 7.2

|May low C = 5.5

|Jun low C = 3.7

|Jul low C = 3.0

|Aug low C = 3.4

|Sep low C = 4.9

|Oct low C = 6.6

|Nov low C = 7.8

|Dec low C = 10.0

| year low C =

|rain colour = green

|Jan rain mm = 83.0

|Feb rain mm = 68.1

|Mar rain mm = 71.6

|Apr rain mm = 91.9

|May rain mm = 74.9

|Jun rain mm = 100.1

|Jul rain mm = 120.8

|Aug rain mm = 86.5

|Sep rain mm = 86.7

|Oct rain mm = 92.7

|Nov rain mm = 74.0

|Dec rain mm = 74.5

|year rain mm =

|source 1 = NIWA

{{cite web

|url = http://cliflo.niwa.co.nz

|title = CliFlo – National Climate Database : Takapau Plains Aws

|publisher = NIWA

|access-date = 20 May 2024}}

}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Authority control}}

{{Central Hawke's Bay District}}

Category:Central Hawke's Bay District

Category:Populated places in Hawke's Bay