Whitikahu

Pukemokemoke hill is formed of greywacke{{Cite web|url=https://researchspace.auckland.ac.nz/bitstream/handle/2292/33860/TRB_17-vanBlerk,%20Fletcher,%20Costello%20&%20Henning%20Review.pdf?sequence=11|title=Ethylene Glycol Accelerated Weathering Test: An Improved, Objective Aggregate Durability Test Method.|last1=van Blerk|first1=P. G. L.|last2=Fletcher|first2=E.|last3=Costello|first3=S. B.|last4=Henning|first4=T. F. P.|date=2017}} of the Jurassic Manaia Hill Group (shown as Jm on map).{{Cite web|url=http://www.gns.cri.nz/static/qmapdata/newmaps/QWaikato.zip|title=Geology of the Waikato area 1:250 000 geological map 4|last=Edbrooke|first=S. W.|date=2005|website=Institute of Geological & Nuclear Sciences}} The rest of the Whitikahu area is largely on a drained peat bog, which lies on ash from Lake Taupō.

Taupiri Fault is an inferred fault separating the peat from the Taupiri Range. Seismic testing in 2017 added evidence of the fault's position.{{Cite web|url=https://www.eqc.govt.nz/sites/public_files/3805-Potential-shallow-seismici-sources-Hamilton-Basin.pdf|title=Final Report on EQC Potential shallow seismic sources in the Hamilton Basin Project 16/717|last=Vicki Moon|first=Willem de Lange|date=5 July 2017|website=Earthquake Commission}}

Whitikahu is at the north end of an alluvial fan of the ash, which drops about 60 m (200 ft) from Karapiro.

After the Oruanui eruption, some 26,500 years ago, Lake Taupō was about 145 m (476 ft) above the present lake. Around 22,500 years ago the ash dam eroded rapidly and the lake fell about 75 m (246 ft) in a few weeks, creating a series of massive floods. The ash they carried formed the main Hinuera Surface (Q2a) into the fan.

From then until about 17,600 years ago the Waikato would have been about 25 m (82 ft) higher than at present due to aggradation, resulting from remobilisation of pyroclastic material from Taupō, deposited as well-bedded, creamy-white pumice sands, silts and gravels with charcoal fragments.{{Cite web|url=https://www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/assets/PageFiles/11266/Waikato%20River%20erosion%20study.pdf|title=Waikato River Bank Erosion|date=17 April 2007|website=Waikato Regional Council}}

One of its channels from that period followed the Mangawara Stream{{cite news|url= https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/TPRSNZ1948-77.2.19|title=The Geology of the Tuakau-Mercer Area, Auckland (Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand, 1948-01-01)|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|language=en|access-date=2018-11-21}} via the present air-gap at Mangawara. This earlier gorge was buried beneath alluvium but has since been partly re-exposed by the Mangawara Stream as the Waikato has deepened Taupiri gorge.

The Waikato eroded its present valley for about 3,500 years, at a time when the sea was around 100 m (330 ft) below its present level. The Walton Sub-Group (eQa) of pumiceous fine- grained sand and silt with interbedded peat, pumiceous gravelly sand, diatomaceous mud, and non-welded ignimbrite and tephra formed low hills, up to 50 m above the Hamilton Basin plain, on and around which younger sediments have been deposited. In this area they are named the Puketoka Formation. It is highly pumiceous, and, due to silica case-hardening, is able to form vertical bluffs, now weathered, eroded, dissected and largely buried by younger sediments.

Taupo Formation (Q1a) was laid down in the trench cut through the Hinuera surface. Taupo Formation alluvium is the top layer on which most of the peat bogs formed.

From the 1600s: Ngati Koura and Ngati Wairere Waikai occupied the area, mainly for eel fishing.{{Cite web|url=https://www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/assets/PageFiles/233/Pukemokemoke-Teachers%20Resource%20Part1.pdf|title=Pukemokemoke Bush Learning Resource for Primary School teachers|last=Irving|first=Robin|date=2010}} An old waka was discovered in 1937.{{cite news|url= https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19370318.2.101|title=OLD WAR CANOE FOUND (New Zealand Herald, 1937-03-18)|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|language=en|access-date=2018-11-18}}

After the invasion of the Waikato, the area was confiscated in 1863{{Cite web|url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/zoomify/33583/confiscation-map-1869|title=Confiscation map, 1869|last=Taonga|first=New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu|website=teara.govt.nz|language=en|access-date=2018-02-03}} and cut up into lots for the military settlers, though deemed too swampy for occupation.{{cite news|url= https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/DSC18760623.2.12|title=THE Daily Southern Cross. (1876-06-23)|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|language=en|access-date=2018-11-05}} In 1873 the {{Convert|1604|acre||abbr=on}} Tauhei Block was returned to the hapū to farm.

Much of the area was in the Eureka Estate, which the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency bought from the government in 1874. It was then owned by the Waikato Land Association, later known as NZ Land Association. Its {{Convert|86502|acre||abbr=on}} extended from Te Hoe to Tauwhare and Tamahere. In 1876 Whitikahu was described as a deep swamp, but a condition of the sale was that NZLMA should build drains and roads. Kauri gum was being dug in 1893, when about half the area had been drained.{{cite news|url= https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH18930422.2.69.3|title=THROUGH WAIKATO (New Zealand Herald, 1893-04-22)|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|language=en|access-date=2018-11-11}} Kauri stumps of up to {{Convert|6|ft||abbr=on}} diameter and {{Convert|53|ft||abbr=on}} long are thought to have died due to flooding after the Waikato changed its course.{{cite news|url= https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/TRSBOT19630926.2.2|title=The Native Flora of Maungatautari and the Kaimai Range, and the Distribution of Native Plants in the Waikato. (Transactions of the Royal Society of New Zealand : Botany, 1963-09-26)|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|language=en|access-date=2018-11-18}}

Flax was milled in the area from 1890 until a 1908 fire and again from 1918. A new Orini mill opened in 1936{{cite news|url= https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19361231.2.15|title=FLAX INDUSTRY (New Zealand Herald, 1936-12-31)|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|language=en|access-date=2018-11-18}} and flax was still being grown in 1938, when there was another fire.{{cite news|url= https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19380310.2.117|title=FLAX FIRE (New Zealand Herald, 1938-03-10)|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|language=en|access-date=2018-11-18}} The drained peat has also caught fire from time to time.{{cite news|url= https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19240128.2.36|title=WAIKATO PEAT FIRES. (New Zealand Herald, 1924-01-28)|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|language=en|access-date=2018-11-18}}{{cite news|url= https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19280112.2.26|title=SWAMP FIRES. (Auckland Star, 1928-01-12)|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|language=en|access-date=2018-11-18}}

By 1912 over 30 voters were recorded,{{cite news|url= https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WAIGUS19111208.2.12.2|title=RAGLAN. (Waikato Argus, 1911-12-08)|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|language=en|access-date=2018-11-05}} there was a twice-weekly post delivery{{Cite web|url=https://atojs.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/atojs?a=d&d=AJHR1912-II.2.3.3.3|title=Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives — 1912 Session II — F-03 INLAND MAIL-SERVICES, 1912-1913.|website=atojs.natlib.govt.nz|language=en-NZ|access-date=2018-11-06}} and there were three sheep farms.{{Cite web|url=https://atojs.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/atojs?a=d&d=AJHR1912-II.1.6325|title=Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives — 1912 Session II — H-23 Page 12|website=atojs.natlib.govt.nz|language=en-NZ|access-date=2018-11-05}}

Electricity came in 1923.{{cite news|url= https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/MATREC19230910.2.23|title=ELECTRIC POWER WORKS. (Matamata Record, 1923-09-10)|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|language=en|access-date=2018-11-11}} A hall was built{{cite news|url= https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19370707.2.204|title=NEW HALL AT WHITIKAHU (New Zealand Herald, 1937-07-07)|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|language=en|access-date=2018-11-06}} and a bus service to Hamilton, started in 1937{{cite news|url= https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19370419.2.161|title=TRANSPORT LICENCES (New Zealand Herald, 1937-04-19)|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|language=en|access-date=2018-11-18}} and was still running in 1964{{Cite web|url=http://www.omnibus.org.nz/history/leslie.html|title=LESLIE BUSES|website=www.omnibus.org.nz|access-date=2018-11-25}} and into the 1970s.{{Cite web|url=http://www.geocities.ws/nzbusmuseum/history/operw.html|title=The New Zealand Bus Museum|last=Butler|first=Michael|website=www.geocities.ws|access-date=2018-11-25}}

The local Tauhei Marae and its Māramatutahi meeting ground are a traditional meeting place of the Waikato Tainui hapū of Ngāti Makirangi and Ngāti Wairere.{{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}}

In October 2020, the Government committed $95,664 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade the Tauhei Marae, creating an estimated 7 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}}

Whitikahu locality covers {{Convert|40.32|km2||abbr=on}}.{{Cite web|title=Stats NZ Geographic Data Service|url=https://datafinder.stats.govt.nz/data/|at=Statistical Area 1 2023 (generalised)|access-date=24 March 2025}} It is part of the larger Whitikahu statistical area.{{cite web|url=https://statsnz.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/sidebar/index.html?appid=3a406ce8fbb14367ab5caae21c07ab8b|title=Geographic Boundary Viewer|publisher=Stats NZ|at=Statistical Area 1 – 2023 and Statistical Area 2 – 2023}}

{{Historical populations|2006|294|2013|351|2018|351|2023|351|percentages=pagr|align=left|title=Historical population for Whitihaku locality|source={{NZ census 2018|7011152 and 7011155}}}}

Whitikahu had a population of 351 in the 2023 New Zealand census, unchanged since the 2018 census, and unchanged since the 2013 census. There were 192 males, 162 females and 3 people of other genders in 123 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_009&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=doTotal%2Bdo1.7011152%2B7011155.2023&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}} 1.7% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. There were 75 people (21.4%) aged under 15 years, 66 (18.8%) aged 15 to 29, 162 (46.2%) aged 30 to 64, and 42 (12.0%) aged 65 or older.

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 84.6% European (Pākehā); 13.7% Māori; 12.8% Asian; 1.7% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 1.7% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 97.4%, Māori language by 1.7%, and other languages by 10.3%. No language could be spoken by 2.6% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.9%. The percentage of people born overseas was 17.9, compared with 28.8% nationally.

Religious affiliations were 27.4% Christian, 1.7% Hindu, 0.9% Buddhist, and 7.7% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 51.3%, and 11.1% of people did not answer the census question.

Of those at least 15 years old, 51 (18.5%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 168 (60.9%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 54 (19.6%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. 30 people (10.9%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 165 (59.8%) people were employed full-time, 42 (15.2%) were part-time, and 3 (1.1%) 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_012&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%2Bib7%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.7011152%2B7011155.2013%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=7011152 and 7011155}}

File:Whitkahu_census_areas.jpg

The statistical area of Whitikahu, which includes Orini and Netherby, covers {{Convert|253.64|km2||abbr=on}}{{Cite web|title=Stats NZ Geographic Data Service|url=https://datafinder.stats.govt.nz/data/|at=Statistical Area 2 2023 (generalised)|access-date=17 March 2025}} and had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Whitikahu|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Whitikahu|y}}|R}}/253.64|1}} people per km².

{{Historical populations|2006|1,794|2013|1,884|2018|1,968|2023|1,977|percentages=pagr|align=left|title=Historical population for Whitikahu statistical area|source={{NZ census 2018|Whitikahu (171700)|whitikahu|Whitikahu}}}}

Whitikahu statistical area had a population of 1,977 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 9 people (0.5%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 93 people (4.9%) since the 2013 census. There were 1,047 males, 927 females and 6 people of other genders in 639 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%2Bdo1.171700.2023&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}} 2.1% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 35.3 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 459 people (23.2%) aged under 15 years, 381 (19.3%) aged 15 to 29, 933 (47.2%) aged 30 to 64, and 204 (10.3%) aged 65 or older.

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 83.8% European (Pākehā); 15.2% Māori; 1.4% Pasifika; 11.2% Asian; 1.2% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.0% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 96.5%, Māori language by 2.3%, and other languages by 9.6%. No language could be spoken by 2.3% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.6%. The percentage of people born overseas was 14.9, compared with 28.8% nationally.

Religious affiliations were 26.7% Christian, 1.4% Hindu, 0.3% Islam, 0.3% Māori religious beliefs, 0.3% Buddhist, 0.5% New Age, 0.2% Jewish, and 5.5% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 57.8%, and 7.1% of people did not answer the census question.

Of those at least 15 years old, 267 (17.6%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 915 (60.3%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 339 (22.3%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $51,000, compared with $41,500 nationally. 204 people (13.4%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 909 (59.9%) people were employed full-time, 249 (16.4%) were part-time, and 21 (1.4%) 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%2Bib7%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.171700.2013%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=Whitikahu (171700)}}

Whitikahu School opened in 1912.{{cite news|url= https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19110515.2.140|title=EDUCATION NOTES (New Zealand Herald, 1911-05-15)|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|language=en|access-date=2018-11-05}} It is a primary school for years 1 to 8{{Cite web|url=https://www.ero.govt.nz/review-reports/whitikahu-school-08-09-2015/|title=Whitikahu School - 08/09/2015|website=Education Review Office|language=en-NZ|access-date=2018-11-18}} with {{NZ school roll data|2090|y}} students as of {{NZ school roll data|||y|y||,}}{{TKI|2090|tWhitikahu School}} and now has a swimming pool, tennis courts, playgrounds, sports fields, 5 classrooms, a library and multi-media suite.{{Cite web|url=http://www.whitikahu.school.nz/|title=Welcome {{!}} Whitikahu School|website=www.whitikahu.school.nz|language=en|access-date=2018-11-05}}

The drainage begun by NZLMA was continued by drainage boards set up under the Land Drainage Act 1908{{Cite web|url=http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1908/0096/latest/whole.html#DLM160977|title=Land Drainage Act 1908 No 96 (as at 01 March 2017)|website=www.legislation.govt.nz|language=en-NZ|access-date=2018-11-11}} and the Taupiri Drainage and River Board Empowering Act, 1936.{{Cite web|url=http://www.nzlii.org/nz/legis/hist_act/tdarbea19361ev1936n1531.pdf|title=Taupiri Drainage and River Board Empowering|date=1936}} By 1926 some of it was described as fine dairying land.{{cite news|url= https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19260715.2.194.2|title=PROGRESS OF ORINI. (New Zealand Herald, 1926-07-15)|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|language=en|access-date=2018-11-18}} In the 1930s the board aimed to drain the whole of the wetland.{{cite news|url= https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19370327.2.161|title=TAUPIRI DRAINAGE (New Zealand Herald, 1937-03-27)|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|language=en|access-date=2018-11-11}} With government grants,{{cite news|url= https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19360319.2.96|title=DRAINING A SWAMP (New Zealand Herald, 1936-03-19)|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|language=en|access-date=2018-11-18}} they used unemployed workers{{cite news|url= https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19340320.2.19|title=DRAINING SWAMP AREA (New Zealand Herald, 1934-03-20)|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|language=en|access-date=2018-11-18}} to drain an area south of Te Hoe and create roads and farms from 1936{{cite news|url= https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19360523.2.23|title=NEW SETTLEMENT (New Zealand Herald, 1936-05-23)|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|language=en|access-date=2018-11-11}} to 1938.{{cite news|url= https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19380112.2.128|title=NEW FARMS DEVELOPED. (Auckland Star, 1938-01-12)|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|language=en|access-date=2018-11-11}} However, although drains, floodgates and dams were built, flooding remains a problem.{{Cite web|url=https://www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/assets/WRC/Council/Policy-and-Plans/LTP-FWD10/Documents/5981TauheiConsultation.pdf|title=Tauhei Flood Protection|date=March 2018|website=Waikato Regional Council}}

The Mangatea Catchment Restoration Project, led by Tauhei Marae, aims to reduce pollution of the local streams which run into the Waikato River.{{Cite web|url=https://www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/assets/WRC/Community/Ripple/Mangatea-Catchment-Restoration-Project.pdf|title=Mangatea Catchment Restoration Project}} {{Convert|19|km||abbr=on}} of fencing beside the Mangawara and Tauhei streams will reduce pollutants entering them.{{Cite web|url=https://www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/assets/WRC/Services/publications/technical-reports/2018/TTR1808V1.pdf|title=Technical Report 2018/08 Waikato and Waipā River restoration strategy|website=Waikato Regional Council}}

Since 1990 Pukemokemoke Bush Trust has been restoring the reserve, which rises to {{Convert|166|m||abbr=on}} above Whitikahu, which is at about {{Convert|30|m||abbr=on}}.{{Cite web|url=http://www.topomap.co.nz/NZTopoMap/nz541/Pukemokemoke/Waikato|title=Pukemokemoke, Waikato|website=NZ Topo Map|language=en|access-date=2018-11-06}} The greywacke here is of the Jurassic Manaia Hill Group.{{Cite book|url=http://www.gns.cri.nz/static/qmapdata/newmaps/QWaikato.zip|title=Geology of the Waikato area 1:250 000 geological map 4|last=Edbrooke|first=S.W.|publisher=Institute of Geological & Nuclear Sciences|year=2005|location=(downloadable from website)}}

The hill was logged by Roose Shipping Co from 1949,{{cite news|url= https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/TRSBOT19620924.2.2|title=Native Flora of Tauhei-Pukemokemoke (Middle Waikato Basin) (Transactions of the Royal Society of New Zealand : Botany, 1962-09-24)|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|language=en|access-date=2018-11-08}} into the 1950s, but kauri, mataī, kahikatea, rimu, tōtara, tawa, rewarewa, titoki, pukatea and taraire remain and about 15,000 native trees{{Cite web|url=https://www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/environment/natural-resources/biodiversity/waikato-unwrapped/friends-of-pukemokemoke-bush-reserve/|title=Hill standing alone|website=Waikato Regional Council|language=en-NZ|access-date=2018-11-06}} have replaced privet{{Cite web|url=https://www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/assets/PageFiles/233/Pukemokemoke-Teachers%20Resource%20Part2.pdf|title=Pukemokemoke Bush Learning Resource Part 2}} and other weeds. 110 species were listed in 1962.

The neighbouring Tauhei quarry has been owned by Fulton Hogan since 2016.{{Cite news|url=https://www.fultonhogan.com/fulton-hogan-welcomes-waikato-quarries-employees/|title=Fulton Hogan welcomes Waikato Quarries employees|date=2016-05-04|work=Fulton Hogan|access-date=2018-11-06|language=en-US}} It was formerly operated by Perry Group{{Cite web|url=http://www.perryresources.co.nz/home|title=Home - Perry Resources|website=www.perryresources.co.nz|language=en|access-date=16 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181107010252/https://www.perryresources.co.nz/home|archive-date=7 November 2018}} for Waikato District Council.{{Cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/80948010/waikato-district-councils-road-company-shuts-13-jobs-cut.html|title=Waikato District Council's road company shuts, 13 jobs cut|website=Stuff|language=en|access-date=2018-11-06}} Production was increased to supply aggregates for the Waikato Expressway in 2017 and 2018.{{Cite web|url=https://wdcsitefinity.blob.core.windows.net/sitefinity-storage/docs/default-source/meetings/agendas-2017/170620-agenda-open.pdf?sfvrsn=f9e7bdc9_0|title=Agenda for a meeting of the Policy & Regulatory Committee|date=20 June 2017|website=Waikato District Council}}

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.topomap.co.nz/NZTopoMap/nz538/Whitikahu/Waikato 1:50,000 map]
• [https://www.lawa.org.nz/explore-data/waikato-region/river-quality/waikato-river/mangawara-stm-at-mangawara-rd-mci/ Mangawara Stream water quality LAWA]
• [http://rainfallmap.waikatoregion.govt.nz/cgi-bin/hydwebserver.cgi/points/details?point=53&catchment=16 Mangawara Stream water level]

{{Geographic Location|title=Neighbouring areas|Northwest=Huntly|North=Orini|Northeast=Tahuna|West=Taupiri|Centre=Whitikahu|East=|South=Rototuna|Southeast=Morrinsville|Southwest=Ngāruawāhia}}

{{Waikato District}}

Category:Populated places in Waikato

Category:Waikato District