Tiroa

{{short description|Rural locality in Manawatū-Whanganui, New Zealand}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}

{{Use New Zealand English|date=November 2020}}

{{Infobox settlement

| name = Tiroa

| native_name =

| native_name_lang =

| settlement_type = Rural locality

| image_skyline =

| image_alt =

| image_caption =

| etymology =

| nickname =

| image_map = {{infobox mapframe|coord={{coord|-38.51|175.51}}|zoom=9}}

| pushpin_map =

| pushpin_map_caption =

| coordinates = {{coord|-38.51|175.51|region:NZ_type:city|display=inline,title}}

| subdivision_type = Country

| subdivision_name = New Zealand

| subdivision_type1 = Region

| subdivision_type2 = District

| subdivision_name1 = Manawatū-Whanganui region

| subdivision_name2 = Waitomo District

| subdivision_type3 = Ward

| subdivision_name3 = Waitomo Rural Ward

| leader_title = Territorial Authority

| leader_name = Waitomo District Council

| leader_title1 = Regional council

| leader_name1 = Manawatū-Whanganui Regional Council

| leader_title2 = Mayor of Waitomo

| leader_name2 = {{NZ officeholder data|Waitomo District Mayor|y}}

| leader_title3 = Taranaki-King Country MP

| leader_name3 = {{NZ officeholder data|Taranaki-King Country MP|y}}

| leader_title4 = Hauraki-Waikato MP

| leader_name4 = {{NZ officeholder data|Hauraki-Waikato MP|y}}

| seat_type = Electorates

| seat = {{ubl|Taranaki-King Country|Te Tai Hauāuru (Māori)}}

| area_footnotes =

| area_total_km2 = 182.32

| population_as_of = {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|||y}}

| population_total = {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Tiroa|y}}

| population_footnotes = {{NZ population data 2023 SA2||||y}}

| population_density_km2 = auto

| postal_code_type = Postcode(s)

| postal_code = 3982

| website =

}}

Tiroa is a rural locality in the Waitomo District and Manawatū-Whanganui region of New Zealand's North Island. {{NZlSH|30}} runs through the area.{{cite web |last1=Hariss |first1=Gavin | title=Tiroa, Manawatu-Wanganui |url=https://www.topomap.co.nz/NZTopoMap/nz54579/Tiroa/Manawatu-Wanganui|website=topomap.co.nz |publisher=NZ Topo Map}} The name means "tall cabbage tree".{{cite book| title=Discover New Zealand - A Wises Guide |year=1994 |edition=9th |publisher=Wises Publications |page=146}}

Pao Mīere, a Māori prophetic movement, built a cross-shaped whare wānanga (house of learning) called Te Miringa Te Kakara near Tiroa about 1887. It was destroyed by fire in 1983.{{cite web|url=https://natlib.govt.nz/records/37402740|title=Miringa Te Kakara (Tiroa, N.Z)|publisher=National Library of New Zealand|access-date=9 November 2022}}{{cite encyclopedia|encyclopedia=Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand|url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/27735/miringa-te-kakara-cruciform-house|title=Miringa Te Kakara cruciform house|first=Judith|last=Binney|date=5 May 2011}}{{cite encyclopedia|url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/king-country-places/page-4|title=King Country places–Benneydale–Prophetic movement|encyclopedia=Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand|first=Kerryn|last=Pollock|date=1 March 2015}}

Tiroa School operated from about 1900{{cite news|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19050920.2.18?query=Tiroa+School|newspaper=Auckland Star|date=20 September 1905|title=Board of Education}} with the buildings replaced in 1925.{{cite news|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/KCC19250523.2.27?query=Tiroa+School|newspaper=King Country Chronicle|date=23 May 1925|title=Opening of New School at Tiroa}} The school was open at least until 1958.{{cite web|url=https://natlib.govt.nz/records/22789059|title=Pet Kia, Tiroa School, Te Miringa, and fish|publisher=National Library of New Zealand|access-date=9 November 2022}}