Taumarunui

The name Taumarunui is reported to be the dying words of the Māori chief Te Peehi Turoa – taumaru meaning screen and nui big, literally translated as Big Screen,{{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}} being built to shelter him from the sun, or more commonly known to mean – "The place of big shelter". There are also references to Taumarunui being known as a large sheltered location for growing kūmara.

In the 1980s publication Roll Back the Years there are some details on how Taumarunui got its name.{{cite web |url= http://www.rollbacktheyears.co.nz/samples/vol1.pdf|page=9 |title=How Taumarunui got its name |access-date=15 March 2009 |publisher=Roll Back the Years}} Extract: "According to Frank T Brown, who wrote in the Taumarunui Press in 1926, the name Taumarunui is closely connected with the arrival of and conquering of that portion of the King Country by the Whanganui River natives during the 18th century . . . The war party that succeeded in capturing the principal pa and taking prisoner the chief of the district was headed by 'Ki Maru'. His warriors, to show their appreciation of his prowess and the honour of the victory, acclaimed him 'Tau-maru-nui', which means 'Maru the Great', or 'Maru the Conqueror', that name was taken for the district and has been used ever since."

On State Highway 4 south of Taumarunui are the villages of Manunui, Piriaka, Kakahi, Ōwhango, Raurimu and then National Park. To the north are the school and truck stop of Māpiu.

File:Taitua Taumarunui 1885.jpgTaumarunui was originally a Māori settlement at the confluence of the Ongarue River with the Whanganui, important canoe routes linking the interior of the island with the lower Whanganui River settlements. Some places, notably the valley of the Pungapunga Stream, which joins the upper Whanganui near Manunui, were celebrated for the size and quality of tōtara, and large canoes were built there. The area is a border area between a number of iwi including Whanganui, Ngāti Maniapoto and Ngāti Tūwharetoa, who lived together in relative harmony.{{cite web|url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/1966/T/Taumarunui/Taumarunui/en |title=TAUMARUNUI – Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand |publisher=Teara.govt.nz |date=22 April 2009 |access-date=23 October 2013}}

Late in December 1843 Bishop Selwyn travelled from the district south of Taupō to a point on the Whanganui River about six miles downstream from Taumarunui and thence continued his journey to the coast by canoe. Towards the end of 1869 Te Kooti was at Taumarunui before his march through the western Taupō district to Tapapa. In the early 1880s the first surveys of the King Country commenced, and by the early 1890s the Crown had begun the purchase of large areas of land.

In 1874, Alexander Bell set up a trading post, and became the first European settler. The town has a road called Bell Road.

During the New Zealand Wars a resident named William Moffatt manufactured and supplied Māori with a coarse kind of gunpowder. He was afterwards expelled from the district. Despite warnings, he returned in 1880, ostensibly to prospect for gold, and was executed.

The Whanganui River long continued to be the principal route serving Taumarunui. Traffic was at first by Māori canoe, but by the late 1880s regular steamship communication was established. Taumarunui Landing ([http://www.riverboats.homestead.com/files/Riverboat_Mix_06.jpg Image]) was the last stop on Alexander Hatrick's steam boat service from Wanganui. The river vessels maintained the services between Wanganui and Taumarunui until the late 1920s, when the condition of the river deteriorated.

Later, Taumarunui gained importance with the completion of the North Island Main Trunk line in 1908–09 (celebrated in the 1957 ballad "Taumarunui on the Main Trunk Line" by Peter Cape, about the station refreshment room). The line south of Taumarunui caused considerable problems due to the terrain, and has several high viaducts and the famous Raurimu Spiral. The Stratford–Okahukura Line to Stratford connected just north of Taumarunui. In more recent times, the town's economy has been based on forestry and farming. It has gained in importance as a tourism centre, especially as an entry point for voyagers down the scenic Wanganui River and as the possessor of a high-quality golf course.

1800s

• 1862, 8/9 February – James Coutts Crawford visits, was given a number of old songs and "various accounts of the taniwha, one of whom we were told overthrew the Wangaehu bridge."{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/recollectionstr00coutgoog |title=Recollections of travel in New Zealand and Australia : Crawford, James Coutts : Free Download & Streaming : Internet Archive |date=10 March 2001 |access-date=23 October 2013}}
• 1864 – Boundaries of the King Country drawn and European settlement is prohibited.
• 1869 – Te Kooti in Taumarunui.{{cite news|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=TC18700118.2.32 |title=Papers Past — Colonist — 18 January 1870 — IMPORTANT FROM WAIKATO |publisher=Paperspast.natlib.govt.nz |access-date=23 October 2013}}
• 1871 – Thomas McDonnell in area following up on reports of gold. Claimed to have found goldbearing quartz in the creeks of 'Taurewa' [http://mp.natlib.govt.nz/detail/?id=1002294].
• 1874 – Alexander Bell set up a trading post, and became the first European settler.{{cite web|url=http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Gov07_04Rail-t1-body-d9-d4.html |title=The "Father of Taumarunui." | NZETC |publisher=Nzetc.victoria.ac.nz |date=1 August 1932 |access-date=23 October 2013}}
• 1880 – Moffatt and Henaro travel to the village of Matahaura, where William Moffatt is subsequently executed at Matapuna.{{cite news|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=EP18801112.2.21 |title=Papers Past — Evening Post — 12 November 1880 — FURTHER DETAILS. [UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wanganui, This Day |publisher=Paperspast.natlib.govt.nz |access-date=23 October 2013}}
• 1883 – John Rochford's survey party start surveying the rail route through the King Country.{{cite journal|url=http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz//tm/scholarly/tei-Gov08_07Rail-t1-body-d8.html |title=The Trail of Adventure – Pioneer Survey of the North Island Main Trunk Railway |journal=The New Zealand Railways Magazine|volume=8|issue=7|date=1 November 1933|access-date=14 January 2015}}
• 1884 – Prohibition to European settlement lifted. Alcohol prohibition established.
• 1885 – Photographer Alfred Burton, artist Edward Payton{{cite book|first=Una |last=Platts |url=http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-PlaNine-t1-body-d1-d937.html |chapter=PAYTON, Edward William 1859–1944 |title=Nineteenth Century New Zealand Artists: A Guide & Handbook |publisher=Avon Fine Prints |year=1980 |location=Christchurch |access-date=18 January 2015}} and surveyor John Rochford{{cite book|url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/1966/rochfort-john |chapter=ROCHFORT, John |title=Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand |date=23 April 2009 |access-date=18 January 2015}} tour Te Rohe Pōtae along with time in Taumarunui.{{cite book|url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/34913/alfred-burton-and-edward-payton-1885 |chapter=Alfred Burton and Edward Payton, 1885 – King Country region |title=Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand |date=26 November 2013 |access-date=18 January 2015}}
• 1885, 10 Dec – First post office opened in Taumarunui (under the name 'Taumaranui') as part of the Hamilton Postal District,{{NZHPT|7623|Taumarunui Post Office|15 September 2013}} closes 1887.{{Cite news| author=Staff reporter – Taumarunui

| title = Old Post Office to Make Way for New Court House

| place = Taumarunui

| publisher = clipping

| edition = 29 December 1966}}

1900–1914

File:View of Taumarunui (21561204796).jpg

• 1900 – town-to-be reportedly held only 13 European males.Craig 1990, 1900 p.143 Another report said 40 or 50 members of Ngāti Hau and Mr Bell.{{cite news|url= https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19001203.2.20|title=MAIN TRUNK RAILWAY. AUCKLAND STAR|date=3 December 1900|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|access-date=26 March 2020}}
• 1901 – Railways line joining Te Kūiti to Taumarunui opened.
• 1903 – Railway line passes through Taumarunui, and Taumarunui Railway Station opened on 1 December 1903 and Matapuna on 22 June 1903.
• 1904 – First European child is born in township.
• 1904 – £10,000 houseboat built then floated to Ōhura river junction. In 1927 this is transferred down river to Retaruke River junction where it was destroyed by fire in 1933.
• 1906 – Native town council set up: Hakiaha Tawhiao, J.E. Ward (interpreter), J. Carrington. E.W. Simmons, A.J. Langmuir (chairman), J.E. Slattery.
• 1906, 14 Sep – First issue of the Taumarunui Press.
• 1907 – First hospital erected, 5 beds.
• 1908–09 – North Island Main Trunk opened to through Auckland-Wellington trains from 9 November 1908, with the first NIMT express trains from 14 February 1909.
• 1908–11 William Thomas Jennings elected Member of Parliament for Taumarunui electorate
• 1910 – Borough of Taumarunui proclaimed.
• 1910 – Kaitieke Co-op Dairy Co. formed.{{cite news |title=Farm Notes |work=Ohinemuri Gazette|volume=XXI |issue=2639 |page=3 |date=9 May 1910| url= https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=OG19100509.2.25| access-date=11 February 2013}}{{cite news |title=Kaitieke Co-op Dairy Co |work=Auckland Star |volume=XLIX |issue=193 |page=6| date=14 August 1918| url= https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=AS19180814.2.68| access-date=11 February 2013}}
• 1910 – George Henry Thompson defeated Rev John E. Ward (166 to 143 votes) to become the first borough council mayor.
• 1912 – Population: Males: 641; Females: 487 – Note: 1912 census did not include a count of Māori.
• 1912 – Township started getting water supply from Waitea Creek, just south of Piriaka. Project cost £13,000. Pipeline 8 miles long.
• 1913 – William Henry Wackrow – Mayor{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=NZH19130611.2.9 |title=Taumarunui Hospital |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=11 June 1913 |volume=L |issue=15325 |page=4 |access-date=18 January 2015}}
• 1913, 22 Jul – First reported cases of Smallpox in district.{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=WC19130723.2.16.27.8 |title=Outbreaks Near Taumarunui |work=Wanganui Chronicle |issue=12889 |page=5 |date=23 July 1913 |access-date=18 January 2015}}
• 1911–14 Charles Wilson elected Member of Parliament
• 1914 – Taumarunui gas supply begins

File:A landing on the Whanganui River at Taumarunui (21488619822).jpg

1914–1939

• 1914–19 – William Thomas Jennings re-elected Member of Parliament
• 1915 – Taumarunui Hospital Board formed, 30 beds.
• 1915 – Only a single car in town.Craig 1990, First car p.143
• 1915–1917 – Mayor: G.S. Steadman.Craig 1990, 1915–1917 p.143
• 1916 – Census: 3,021 (Taumarunui & Manunui){{cite web|url=http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/culture/influenza-pandemic/north-island-death-rates#king |title=North Island influenza death rates | NZHistory, New Zealand history online |publisher=Nzhistory.net.nz |access-date=23 October 2013}}
• 1917 – Tuku Te Ihu Te Ngarupiki, Chief of Rangatahi, dies in Matapuna near Taumarunui aged 97.
• 1917–1919 – Mayor: A.S. Laird.Craig 1990, 1917–1919 p.143
• 1919–1923 – Mayor: G.S. Steadman.Craig 1990, 1919–1923 p.143
• 1923–1925 – Mayor: C.C. Marsack.Craig 1990, 1923–1925 p.143
• 1924 – The Piriaka Power Station was built to supply electricity to Taumarunui.{{cite web|url=http://home.xtra.co.nz/hosts/kcenergy/generation5.html |title=Piriaka Power Scheme |publisher=King County Energy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928051943/http://home.xtra.co.nz/hosts/kcenergy/generation5.html |archive-date=28 September 2011}}
• 1925–1929 – Mayor: G.E. Manson.Craig 1990, 1925–1929 p.143
• 1928 – Four thousand bales of wool shipped down river
• 1929–1944 – Mayor: Cecil Boles.Craig 1990, 1929–1944 p.143
• 1932 – Stratford–Okahukura Line completed.
• 1939 – Hatricks's steamer ceased running, final section of the journey having been done by coach from Kirikau landing since 1927.

File:Junction of the Whanganui and Ongarue Rivers at Taumarunui (21651989012).jpg]]

1939–1999

• 1941 – Cosmopolitan Club established with Father Conboy as first president.
• 1944–1947 – Mayor: W.S.N. Campbell.Craig 1990, 1944–1947 p.143
• 1947–1953 – Mayor: D.H. Hall.Craig 1990, 1947–1953 p.143
• 1951 – Census: 3,220
• 1952 – Kaitieke County and Ohura County amalgamated with Taumarunui County.
• 1953–1956 – Mayor: David C. Seath – later Member of Parliament for the King Country
• 1956 – Mayor: Frank D. House – later Taumarunui High School governor.
• 1956 – Census: 3,341
• 1961 – Census: 4,961
• 1962 – The King Country Electric Power Board commissioned its Kuratau Power Station.{{cite web|url=http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1212/S00314/kce-celebrates-50th-anniversary-of-kuratau-power-station.htm |title=KCE celebrates 50th anniversary of Kuratau Power Station | Scoop News |publisher=Scoop.co.nz |date=10 December 2012 |access-date=23 October 2013}}
• 1966 – 1 October, 6:00pm – King Country Radio 1520AM with the call sign 1ZU first broadcasts from Taumarunui.
• 1968 – N.Z. Sportsmen's dinner – attended by Fred Allen, Peter Snell, Waka Nathan, Colin Meads, Bob Skelton, Taini Jamison, Tilley Vercoe, Ivan Grattan, Bill Wordley, Don Croot, Trevor Ormsby, Hine Peni and Sonny Bolstad.{{cite web |url=http://teaohou.natlib.govt.nz/journals/teaohou/issue/Mao64TeA/c20.html |title=Taumarunui Queen Carnival |access-date=10 June 2008 |date=September–November 1968 |work=Te Ao Hou THE MAORI MAGAZINE |publisher=Department Maori and Islands Affairs }}
• 1971 – Additional generator to the Piriaka Power Scheme{{cite web|url=http://home.xtra.co.nz/hosts/kcenergy/generation5.html |title=:::King Country Energy::: |publisher=Home.xtra.co.nz |access-date=23 October 2013}}
• 1976, 4 Oct – Daniel Houpapa shot by Armed Offenders Squad after he fires at an officer{{cite news |author=NZPA |title=Chronology of fatal shootings by NZ police |url= http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz-police/news/article.cfm?o_id=131&objectid=10539110 |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=23 October 2008 |access-date=9 October 2009}}
• 1981 – Census: 6,540, Full-time in labour force: 2,727{{cite web |title=Appendix II: Taumarunui: Farming-Community Linkages|url=http://www.maf.govt.nz/mafnet/rural-nz/profitability-and-economics/farm-adjustment-and-restructuring/farm-adjustment12.htm|publisher=Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (New Zealand)|access-date=23 October 2013}}
• 1986 – Census: 6,468, Full-time in labour force: 2,514
• 1988 – Taumarunui District Council formed.

Town Mayors immediately prior to 1988 include: Charles Binzegger, Les Byars and Terry Podmore.Craig 1990, pre 1988 mayors p.143

• 1989, 1 Nov – Taumarunui District Council merged into Ruapehu District Council.{{cite web |url=http://www.ruapehudc.govt.nz/pages/council/about_council.html |title=About Council |publisher=Ruapehu District Council |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100122093821/http://www.ruapehudc.govt.nz/pages/council/about_council.html |archive-date=22 January 2010}}
• 1991 – Census: 6,141, Full-time in labour force: 1,935
• 1996 – Census: 5,835, Full-time in labour force: 1,438
• 1997/98 – AFFCO Holdings freezing works closes.

2000s

• 2001 – Census: 5,139
• 2005/06 – Taumarunui Milk Co-op closes – 95 years after the original Kaitieke Co-op Dairy Co. was opened.{{cite web|url=http://www.kingcountrydrivertraining.co.nz/aboutus.html |title=About Us at King Country Driver Training |publisher=Kingcountrydrivertraining.co.nz |access-date=23 October 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://www.business.govt.nz/@@searchlite-certificate-of-incorporation/193624|title=Certificate of Incorporation : TAUMARUNUI MILK CO-OPERATIVE (1972) LIMITED : 193624|publisher=Business.govt.nz|access-date=23 October 2013}}{{cite news |title=KAITIEKE CO-OP. DAIRY CO. |work=Auckland Star |volume=XLIX |issue=193 |page=6 |date=14 August 1918| url= https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=AS19180814.2.68| access-date=11 February 2013}}
• 2006 – Census: 5,052{{cite web |url=http://www.ruapehudc.govt.nz/pages/district/facts_figures.html |title=Our District – Facts and Figures |publisher=Ruapehu District Council |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100128120052/http://www.ruapehudc.govt.nz/pages/district/facts_figures.html |archive-date=28 January 2010}}
• 2009, Nov – Stratford–Okahukura Line mothballed.{{cite news |url= http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10608125| title=Line's mothballing sets off alarm bells| work=The New Zealand Herald| access-date=10 November 2009 |first=Mathew |last=Dearnaley |date=9 November 2009}}
• 2010, 31 Mar – King Country Radio 1512AM & 92.7FM with the call sign 1ZU goes off air.
• 2012, 25 Jun – Taumarunui Station passenger stop dropped from Northern Explorer's schedule.{{cite news |title=Dash to catch the last train |url= http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/7164511/Dash-to-catch-the-last-train |work=Manuwatu Standard|date=25 June 2012| access-date=11 February 2013}}
• 2013 – Census: 4,500[http://profile.idnz.co.nz/ruapehu/about/?WebID=150 Census 2013]

In 1910, Taumarunui Borough was formed, with its own borough council and mayor.{{cite news |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WC19101007.2.32 |title=Taumarunui Borough Council |date=7 October 1910 |work=Wanganui Chronicle |volume=50 |issue=12626 |page=5 |access-date=27 April 2025 |via=PapersPast}} In 1988, Taumarunui District was formed, only to be replaced the following year as it was merged into the now Ruapehu District.

Between 1910 and 1988, Taumarunui Borough had 15 mayors. The following is a complete list:{{cite web |url=https://archivescentral.org.nz/ruapehu-district-council/record/record-mayors-and-councillors-inception-borough-and-town-clerks |title=Record of mayors and councillors since inception of borough and town clerks |website=Archives Central |publisher=Manawatū–Whanganui Local Authority Shared Services |access-date=27 April 2025}}

There are a number of marae in the Taumarunui area, affiliated with local iwi and hapū, including:

• Kimihia Marae is affiliated with Ngāti Te Wera
• Morero Marae and Hauaroa is affiliated with Ngāti Hekeawai and the Ngāti Hāua hapū of Ngāti Hāuaroa and Ngāti Reremai
• Ngāpuwaiwaha Marae and Te Taurawhiri a Hinengākau is affiliated with the Ngāti Hāua hapū of Ngāti Hāua and Ngāti Hāuaroa
• Petania Marae and Hinemihi meeting house are affiliated with the Ngāti Maniapoto hapū of Hinemihi, Parewaeono and Rōrā, and the Ngāti Tūwharetoa hapū of Ngāti Hinemihi
• Takaputiraha Marae is affiliated with Ngāti Maniapoto
• Te Peka Marae is affiliated with the Ngāti Hāua hapū of Ngāti Hekeāwai
• Tū Whenua Marae and Tū Whenua meeting house is affiliated with the Ngāti Maniapoto hapū of Mangu, Rewa and Tupu
• Whānau Maria Marae and Whānau Maria meeting house is affiliated with the Ngāti Hāua hapū of Ngāti Hāua
• Wharauroa Marae and Hikurangi meeting house is affiliated with the Ngāti Maniapoto hapū of Hinemihi, Rangatahi; with the Ngāti Hāua hapū of Ngāti Hekeawai, Ngāti Hinewai, Ngāti Hāuaroa, Ngāti Hāua, and Ngāti Wera/Tuwera; with Ngāti Hinewai; and with Ngāti Rangatahi.{{cite web|title=Te Kāhui Māngai directory|url= https://www.tkm.govt.nz/iwi/maniapoto/# |website=tkm.govt.nz|publisher=Te Puni Kōkiri}}{{cite web|title=Te Kāhui Māngai directory|url= https://www.tkm.govt.nz/iwi/ngati-haua-upper-whanganui/# |website=tkm.govt.nz|publisher=Te Puni Kōkiri}}{{cite web |title=Māori Maps |url=https://maorimaps.com/marae/wharauroa|website=maorimaps.com |publisher=Te Potiki National Trust}}

In October 2020, the Government committed $1,560,379 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade Takaputiraha Marae, Whānau Maria Marae, Wharauroa Marae and 5 other nearby marae, creating 156 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}}

File:NZL-taumarunui-uhr.jpg

Taumarunui covers {{Convert|13.65|km2||abbr=on}}{{Cite web|title=ArcGIS Web Application|url=https://statsnz.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=6f49867abe464f86ac7526552fe19787| access-date=30 March 2023|website=statsnz.maps.arcgis.com}} and had an estimated population of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Taumarunui North|y}}|R}}+{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Taumarunui Central|y}}|R}}+{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Taumarunui East|y}}|R}}|0}} as of {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|({{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Taumarunui North|y}}|R}}+{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Taumarunui Central|y}}|R}}+{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Taumarunui East|y}}|R}})/13.65|0}} people per km².

{{Historical populations|2006|4,995|2013|4,449|2018|4,707|percentages=pagr|align=left|source=}}

Taumarunui had a population of 4,707 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 258 people (5.8%) since the 2013 census, and a decrease of 288 people (−5.8%) since the 2006 census. There were 1,812 households, comprising 2,307 males and 2,403 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.96 males per female, with 1,035 people (22.0%) aged under 15 years, 804 (17.1%) aged 15 to 29, 1,914 (40.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 966 (20.5%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 60.5% European/Pākehā, 52.1% Māori, 3.3% Pacific peoples, 3.5% Asian, and 1.4% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 9.9, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 47.9% had no religion, 36.1% were Christian, 5.0% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.8% were Hindu, 0.2% were Muslim, 0.6% were Buddhist and 1.5% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 315 (8.6%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 1,119 (30.5%) people had no formal qualifications. 210 people (5.7%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 1,362 (37.1%) people were employed full-time, 489 (13.3%) were part-time, and 270 (7.4%) were unemployed.{{NZ census 2018|Taumarunui North (222500), Taumarunui Central (222600) and Taumarunui East (222700)}}

Under the Köppen, Taumarunui has an Oceanic climate:(Cfb). Due to location, low altitude and Geography surroundings, Taumarunui is more liable to warm to hot summers than other central North Island centres and in winter, Taumarunui is cold and frosty. Rainfall yearly is {{convert|1449|mm|6|abbr=on}}. Annual sunshine yearly is 1822 hrs. In June 2002, Taumarunui recorded just 27 hrs of sun, this is the lowest in the whole country, beating the old record at Invercargill with 35 hrs in June 1935.{{cite web|author= |url=https://www.niwa.co.nz/education-and-training/schools/resources/climate/extreme |title=Climate extremes |publisher=NIWA |access-date=18 January 2015}} The lowest temperature recorded in Taumarunui, −6.8 °C, was in July 2010.{{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10658655|title=Mercury plunges to record lows|work=The New Zealand Herald|date=14 July 2010|first=Michael|last=Dickison}}

{{Weather box|width=auto

|metric first=y

|single line=y

|collapsed = Y

|location = Taumarunui (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1947–present)

| Jan record high C = 34.0

| Feb record high C = 33.4

| Mar record high C = 32.4

| Apr record high C = 28.3

| May record high C = 23.1

| Jun record high C = 20.6

| Jul record high C = 20.0

| Aug record high C = 21.7

| Sep record high C = 25.5

| Oct record high C = 27.8

| Nov record high C = 30.9

| Dec record high C = 33.9

| year record high C =34.0

|Jan record low C = 0.4

|Feb record low C = 0.3

|Mar record low C = -2.8

|Apr record low C = -2.6

|May record low C = -5.7

|Jun record low C = -6.1

|Jul record low C = -6.8

|Aug record low C = -6.4

|Sep record low C = -4.5

|Oct record low C = -4.2

|Nov record low C = -1.6

|Dec record low C = 0.7

|year record low C = -6.8

|Jan high C = 23.8

|Feb high C = 24.2

|Mar high C = 22.5

|Apr high C = 19.0

|May high C = 15.5

|Jun high C = 12.9

|Jul high C = 12.2

|Aug high C = 13.6

|Sep high C = 15.3

|Oct high C = 17.4

|Nov high C = 19.6

|Dec high C = 22.0

| year high C =

|Jan mean C = 17.7

|Feb mean C = 18.0

|Mar mean C = 16.2

|Apr mean C = 13.2

|May mean C = 10.5

|Jun mean C = 8.1

|Jul mean C = 7.5

|Aug mean C = 8.6

|Sep mean C = 10.3

|Oct mean C = 12.1

|Nov mean C = 13.8

|Dec mean C = 16.2

| year mean C =

|Jan low C = 11.5

|Feb low C = 11.8

|Mar low C = 9.8

|Apr low C = 7.4

|May low C = 5.4

|Jun low C = 3.3

|Jul low C = 2.8

|Aug low C = 3.6

|Sep low C = 5.4

|Oct low C = 6.8

|Nov low C = 7.9

|Dec low C = 10.4

| year low C =

|rain colour = green

|Jan rain mm = 107.9

|Feb rain mm = 91.4

|Mar rain mm = 80.6

|Apr rain mm = 119.4

|May rain mm = 141.6

|Jun rain mm = 145.4

|Jul rain mm = 156.8

|Aug rain mm = 147.2

|Sep rain mm = 154.8

|Oct rain mm = 144.0

|Nov rain mm = 124.0

|Dec rain mm = 132.6

|year rain mm =

| Jan sun = 211.8

| Feb sun = 195.0

| Mar sun =182.6

| Apr sun =139.7

| May sun =104.3

| Jun sun =80.4

| Jul sun =97.3

| Aug sun =123.7

| Sep sun =126.5

| Oct sun =159.8

| Nov sun =174.2

| Dec sun =181.7

| year sun =

|source 1 = NIWA

{{cite web

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

|title = CliFlo – National Climate Database : Taumarunui Ews

|publisher = NIWA

|access-date = 20 May 2024}}{{cite web

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

|title = CliFlo -The National Climate Database (Agent numbers: 40983, 35135, 2250)

|publisher = NIWA

|access-date = 20 May 2024}}

}}

Ngāpuwaiwaha marae is on Taumarunui Street; its main hapū are Ngāti Hāua and Ngāti Hauaroa of the iwi Te Āti Haunui-a-Pāpārangi.{{Cite web|title = Ngāpuwaiwaha|url = http://www.maorimaps.com/full_marae/ng%2501puwaiwaha|website = Māori Maps|access-date = 1 December 2015}}

Taumarunui has many societies and community organisations. It has a Cosmopolitan Club and RSA, a Lodge of the Freemasons as well as Taumarunui Lodge NZ No. 12 of the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes Grand Council. This Lodge of the Buffaloes was established sometime in the mid-late 1920s and thus predates the introduction of the Mighty NZR KA class steam locomotives that became the hallmark of NIMT Rail Transport of the forties, fifties and sixties.

Taumarunui High School is a co-educational state secondary school for Year 9 to 13 students,{{cite web |title=Taumarunui High School Ministry of Education School Profile |url=https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/find-school/school/profile?school=169 |website=educationcounts.govt.nz |publisher=Ministry of Education}} with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|169|y}} as of {{NZ school roll data|||y|}}.{{cite web |title=Taumarunui High School Education Review Office Report |url=http://www.ero.govt.nz/report-view?id=169 |website=ero.govt.nz |publisher=Education Review Office}}

The town has three primary schools for Year 1 to 8 students: Taumarunui Primary School,{{cite web |title=Taumarunui Primary School Ministry of Education School Profile |url=https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/find-school/school/profile?school=1986 |website=educationcounts.govt.nz |publisher=Ministry of Education}} with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|1986|y}},{{cite web |title=Taumarunui Primary School Education Review Office Report |url=http://www.ero.govt.nz/report-view?id=1986 |website=ero.govt.nz |publisher=Education Review Office}} Tarrangower School,{{cite web |title=Tarrangower School Official School Website |url=http://www.tarrangower.school.nz |website=tarrangower.school.nz}}{{cite web |title=Tarrangower School Ministry of Education School Profile |url=https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/find-school/school/profile?school=1982 |website=educationcounts.govt.nz |publisher=Ministry of Education}} with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|1982|y}},{{cite web |title=Tarrangower School Education Review Office Report |url=http://www.ero.govt.nz/report-view?id=1982 |website=ero.govt.nz |publisher=Education Review Office}} and Turaki School,{{cite web |title=Turaki School Official School Website |url=http://www.turakiprimary.school.nz |website=turakiprimary.school.nz}}{{cite web |title=Turaki School Ministry of Education School Profile |url=https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/find-school/school/profile?school=2040 |website=educationcounts.govt.nz |publisher=Ministry of Education}} with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|2040|y}}.{{cite web |title=Turaki School Education Review Office Report |url=http://www.ero.govt.nz/report-view?id=2040 |website=ero.govt.nz |publisher=Education Review Office}}

St Patrick's Catholic School is a co-educational state-integrated Catholic primary school for Year 1 to 8 students,{{cite web |title=Ministry of Education School Profile |url=https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/find-school/school/profile?school=1961 |website=educationcounts.govt.nz |publisher=Ministry of Education}} with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|1961|y}}.{{cite web |title=Education Review Office Report |url=http://www.ero.govt.nz/report-view?id=1961 |website=ero.govt.nz |publisher=Education Review Office}}

• T.J. Meredith – 3rd great-grandson of Theodore of Corsica, joined Royal Navy age 14, CSS Louisiana in 1862 American Civil War, under General Cameron New Zealand Wars, Waikato Mounted Rifles World War I, before coming the proprietor of Taumarunui's Meredith House with wife Margaret Lovett.Craig 1990, T.J. Meredith p.147

Students of Taumarunui High School

• James L. Beck{{cite web|url=http://www.its.caltech.edu/~jimbeck/ |title=James L. Beck |publisher=Its.caltech.edu |access-date=23 October 2013}} – Professor of Engineering and Applied Science, California Institute of Technology.
• John C. Butcher {{post-nominals|country=NZL|ONZM}}{{cite web|url=http://www.math.auckland.ac.nz/~butcher/ |title=John Butcher's Homepage |publisher=Math.auckland.ac.nz |access-date=23 October 2013}} – Honorary Research Professor, Dept. of Mathematics, University of Auckland.
• Ben Fouhy,{{cite web|url=http://www.benfouhy.com|title=Ben Fouhy : Words|publisher=Benfouhy.com|access-date=23 October 2013}} world champion kayaker.
• Marc and Todd Hunter from the band Dragon.
• Ivan Mercep, 2008 recipient of the New Zealand Institute of Architects Gold Medal.
• Jenny Ludlam – actress.

Born in Taumarunui

File:Carmen Rupe.jpg]]

• 1914 – Wiremu Hakopa Toa Te Āwhitu SM (1914–1994) was the first Māori to be ordained a Catholic priest.
• 1922 – Lucy Ruth Miller (Ruth Kirk), DBE, wife of Prime Minister Norman Kirk and patron of SPUC
• 1934 – Ian Barker, solicitor, judge, and legal scholar{{sfn|Lambert |Traue |Taylor |1991|page=31}}
• 1935 – Don Selwyn, actor, director, stage and screen, Ngāti Kurī and Te Aupōuri (1935–2007){{cite web|url=https://www.thearts.co.nz/artist_page.php&aid=5&type=bio |title=The Arts Foundation : Don Selwyn – Biography |publisher=Thearts.co.nz |access-date=18 January 2015}}
• 1936 – Carmen Rupe (né Trevor Rupe, 1935–15 December 2011) – Wellington personality (mayoral candidate (1977), drag queen, cafe owner and brothel keeper).{{cite news |first=Shabnam |last=Dastgheib |title=Birthday girl Carmen hits town |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/2946328/Birthday-girl-Carmen-hits-town/ |work=The Dominion Post |date=9 October 2009 |access-date=16 December 2011}}{{sfn|O'Keefe and Fox|2008|p=249}}{{cite news |title=Colourful Wellington identity Carmen dies |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/6142914/Colourful-Wellington-identity-Carmen-dies |work=The Dominion Post |date=15 December 2011 |access-date=15 December 2011}}
• 1939 – David Penny, theoretical biologist.{{cite web|title=Professor Emeritus joins prominent US Academy|url=http://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/about-massey/news/article.cfm?mnarticle_uuid=FB8FD7F2-72A8-4181-A614-B9CD5D999D92|publisher=Massey University|access-date=30 January 2019}}
• 1945 – Carole Shepheard, artist.
• 1951 – Joe Karam, rugby union player, researcher and investigator for David Bain's legal team.
• 1952 – Rhonda Bryers, singer
• 1952 – Ian Ferguson, Olympic canoer.
• 1952 – Max Takuira Matthew Mariu SM (1952–2005), Auxiliary Catholic Bishop of Hamilton (1988–2005), first Māori to be ordained a Catholic bishop.
• 1952 – Gary Troup, ONZM, cricketer and Auckland region local government politician
• 1953 – Marc Hunter, lead singer of Dragon.
• 1955 – Mahinārangi Tocker, singer.
• 1956 – Len Brown Mayor of Auckland
• 1958 – Jillian Smith, field hockey player.
• 1958 – Lindsay Crocker, cricketer.
• 1963 – Timothy J. Sinclair, political scientist at the University of Warwick in England.
• 1966 – John Psathas, composer
• 1971 – Kyle Chapman, former leader of the New Zealand National Front
• 1973 – Chris McCormack World Champion Ironman Triathlete (2007, 2010).
• 1979 – Ben Fouhy, Olympic and world champion canoeist
• 1981 – Andrew Kirton, former General Secretary of the New Zealand Labour Party

Resident and New Years Honours recipients

File:PeiTeHurinuiJones1930.jpg]]

• 1956 – OBE – Pateriki Joseph Hura – For services to the Māori people, especially as a member of the Board of Maori Affairs.
• 1957 – MBE – Mrs Catherine Goodsir – For social welfare services
• 1958 – MBE – Mrs Rumatiki Wright of Raetihi. For services to the Māori people, especially as Senior Lady Māori Welfare Officer
• 1961 – OBE – Pei Te Hurinui Jones – For services to the Māori people.
• 1967 – MBE – James Dempsey J.P. – chairman of the Taumarunui County Council.
• 1970 – BEM – Eric Raymond Clark – For services to the community and interest in the education of the Māori people.
• 1974 – BEM – Arthur Tukiri Anderson – For services to the Returned Services Association and the community
• 1979 – KBE – Hepi Hoani Te Heuheu – For services to the Māori people and community.
• 1995 – CBE – Alexander Phillips QSM – For services to the Māori people.
• 1998 – MNZM – John Stacey Black J.P. – For services to the community.
• 2000 – QSM – Jean Bassett – For Community Service
• 2001 – QSM – Mrs Verna Lenice Warner J.P. – For Community Service
• 2002 – MNZM – Mrs Nansi Whetu Dewes – For services to Māori and the community
• 2002 – QSM – Barry David FISHER, of Taumarunui. Chief Fire Officer, Taumarunui Volunteer Fire Brigade, New Zealand Fire Service – For Services to the community
• 2003 – QSM – Leonard Patrick Harwood – For Public Services
• 2007 – QSM – Mr William Vernon McMinn – For services to music.
• 2009 – MNZM – Ngarau Tarawa – For services to Māori and community education
• 2010 – QSM – Mrs Lorraine Ivy Edwards J.P. – For services to the community.
• 2012 – MNZM – Ian Trevor Corney – For services to agriculture
• 2013 – ONZM – Susan May Morris – For services to local government.

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite book |last=Craig |first=Dick |title=The King Country |year=1990 |publisher=Waitomo News |location=Waitomo |ref=Craig1990}}
• {{cite book |title=Who's Who in New Zealand, 1991 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6x8OAQAAMAAJ |last1=Lambert |first1=Max |last2=Traue |first2=James Edward |author2-link= Jim Traue |last3=Taylor |first3=Alister | author3-link=Alister Taylor |year=1991 |edition=12th |publisher=Octopus |location=Auckland|isbn = 9780790001302}}
• {{cite book |last1=O'Keefe | first1=Tracie | first2=Katrina | last2=Fox | title=Trans People in Love | publisher=Routledge |date=6 June 2008 |chapter=Chapter 24: Madam Carmen – Carmen Rupe |isbn=978-0-7890-3572-1 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AigQSatPMgAC |ref = {{sfnRef|O'Keefe and Fox|2008|p=249}}}}

{{Commons category|Taumarunui}}

• [https://www.taumarunui.co.nz Taumarunui website]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20050408235349/http://www.ruapehutourism.co.nz/TAUMARUNUI_HISTORY.htm Local History]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20070630215030/http://www.taumarunuihigh.school.nz/ Taumarunui High School]
• [http://www.riverboats.homestead.com/RiverboatLandings.html River Boat Landings]
• [http://folksong.org.nz/taumarunui/index.html Peter Cape]'s song, "Taumarunui on the Main Trunk Line"

{{Ruapehu_District}}

{{Whanganui}}

{{The Overlander train stops}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Populated places in Manawatū-Whanganui

Category:Settlements on the Whanganui River

Category:Ruapehu District