Whenuakura

{{Infobox settlement

|name = Whenuakura

|population_total = 1,065

|population_as_of = 2013

|subdivision_type = Country

|subdivision_name = New Zealand

|subdivision_type1= Region

|subdivision_name1= Taranaki

|subdivision_type2= District

|subdivision_name2= South Taranaki District

|pushpin_map = Taranaki

|pushpin_label_position = left

|coordinates = {{coord|39|44|8|S|174|31|23|E|region:NZ|display=inline,title}}

}}

File:Whenuakura Marae, Taranaki, New Zealand.jpg

Whenuakura is a farming community on State Highway 3 east of Patea, at the southern end of Taranaki on the North Island of New Zealand. The boundary between the Taranaki and Wellington provinces runs through Whenuakura. There is the Whenuakura Primary School and Whenuakura Hall. Whenuakura is also bounded by the Patea and Whenuakura rivers.{{Cite book|title=The Geographic Atlas of New Zealand|year=2005|isbn=1-877333-20-4|author=Roger Smith, GeographX|publisher=Robbie Burton|no-pp=true|page=map 97}}

The population of the Whenuakura statistical area was 1,065 in the 2013 Census, an increase of 66 from 2006. The statistical area covers a large area to the northeast of Patea and not just the Whenuakura locality.{{NZ Quickstats2013|14174}}

The New Zealand golfer Michael Campbell, winner of the 2005 US Open, descends from these iwi. He spent his early childhood at Whenuakura and learned to play golf at the Patea Golf Club about 8 km to the west.

Marae

Whenuakura Pā near the Whenuakura River bridge is the pā marae of the Kairakau and Pamatangi hapū. Families at this pā descend from Nga Rauru, Ngati Ruanui or Ngāti Hine.{{cite web |first = Taituha |last = Kingi |title = 'Ngā Rauru Kitahi.' Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 19-Sep-2007 |url = http://www.teara.govt.nz/NewZealanders/MaoriNewZealanders/NgaRauruKitahi/1/en |access-date = 2008-01-07 }}{{cite web |first = Tony |last = Sole |title = 'Ngāti Ruanui.' Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 19-Sep-2007 |url = http://www.teara.govt.nz/NewZealanders/MaoriNewZealanders/NgatiRuanui/1/en |access-date = 2008-01-07 }}{{cite web|title=Te Kāhui Māngai directory|url= http://www.tkm.govt.nz/ |website=tkm.govt.nz|publisher=Te Puni Kōkiri}} All descend from Rangitawhi and Aotea waka.{{cite web |first = Rāwiri |last = Taonui |title = 'Canoe Traditions.' Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 1-Oct-2007 |url = http://www.teara.govt.nz/NewZealanders/MaoriNewZealanders/CanoeTraditions/en |access-date = 2008-01-07 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071217025940/http://www.teara.govt.nz/NewZealanders/MaoriNewZealanders/CanoeTraditions/en |archive-date = 2007-12-17 |url-status = dead }} The pā includes the Matangirei meeting house.{{cite web |title=Māori Maps |url=https://maorimaps.com/map |website=maorimaps.com |publisher=Te Potiki National Trust}}

In October 2020, the Government committed $229,345 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade the marae, creating 8 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}}

Education

Whenuakura School is a coeducational contributing primary (years 1–6) school with a roll of 45.{{cite web |url=https://ero.govt.nz/institution/2483/whenuakura-school |title=Whenuakura School |publisher=Education Review Office |access-date=23 November 2021}} The school celebrated 125 years of education in the district in 2002.{{Cite journal|url=http://www.edgazette.govt.nz/notices.php/notices.php?action=view&id=600680|title=Whenuakura and Opaku Schools and Districts 125 Year Jubilee|journal=Education Gazette New Zealand|volume=80|issue=20|date=19 November 2001}}{{dead link|date=March 2010}}

References

Category:South Taranaki District

Category:Populated places in Taranaki