Whitiora
{{short description|Suburb of Hamilton, New Zealand}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=July 2019}}
{{Infobox New Zealand suburbs
| name = Whitiora
| image = Whitiora.jpg
| caption1 = Whitiora, Hamilton
| city1 = Hamilton, New Zealand
| ward = West Ward
| council = Hamilton City Council
| established =1913
| area = 77
| population = {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Whitiora|y}}
| popdate = {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|||y}}
| popref = {{NZ population data 2023 SA2||||y}}
| coordinates = {{coord|37|46|39|S|175|16|27.91|E|region:NZ|display=it}}
| map = {{infobox mapframe|zoom=13}}
| caption2 =
}}
{{Adjacent place
| centre = Whitiora
| north = Beerescourt
| northeast = Fairfield
| east = Claudelands
| southeast = Hamilton East
| south = Hamilton North
| southwest = Frankton, Hamilton
| west = Maeroa
| northwest = Forest Lake
}}
Whitiora is a suburb in central Hamilton in New Zealand.{{cite web|url=http://hamilton.co.nz/maps/ListMaps.aspx|title=Hamilton Map|work=Hamilton City Council|access-date=18 September 2010}} The suburb is home to Waikato Stadium, formerly Rugby Park. It is a major sporting and cultural events venue in Hamilton with a total capacity of 25,800. The stadium is a multi-purpose facility, though used mainly for rugby union. Many of Hamilton's hotels are in Whitiora, along the main road from the north.{{Cite web|title=hotels in hamilton|url=https://www.google.com/travel/hotels?q=hotels%2520in%2520hamilton&g2lb=4356900|website=Google Hotel Search|language=en|access-date=2020-05-19}}
Etymology
The name Whitiora began to be used from about 1913, when the new suburb was being developed.{{Cite web|title=PROGRESSIVE HAMILTON. NEW ZEALAND HERALD|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19131113.2.153.22|date=13 Nov 1913|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|access-date=2020-05-16}} Prior to that it had been known as No.1,{{Cite web|title=WHITIORA'S PROGRESS. WAIKATO TIMES|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT19220610.2.3|date=10 June 1922|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|access-date=2020-05-18}} possibly because No. 1 Company of Militia was once based there.{{Cite web|title=WAIKATO ARGUS|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WAIGUS19130301.2.9|date=1 Mar 1913|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|access-date=2020-05-18}} Whitiora was said to translate as prosperity and plenty, though, in a 2019 leaflet{{Cite web|title=HCC Community Profile Infographics – (Whitiora, Hamilton Lake, Hospital)|url=https://www.hamilton.govt.nz/our-council/council-publications/annualplan/Documents/Neighbourhood%20works%20Documents/Infographics-Whitiora_Hamilton-Lake_Hospital.pdf|date=2019}} and in naming the current Whitiora Bridge, it was said name was derived from the call of the pipiwharauroa, and 'ora', meaning life, or health.{{Cite book|title=Centenary celebrations : 100 years of local government 1878-1978|publisher=Hamilton City Council|year=1978}}
History
= Whatanoa Pā =
Ngāti Te Ao, occupied Whatanoa Pā on what is now Beetham Park. Hotumauea of Ngāti Koura took the pā in the late 1600s. The remains of an urupā were exhumed in 1922,{{Cite web|title=Whatanoa Gateway - FMG Stadium Waikato|url=http://ketehamilton.peoplesnetworknz.info/site/topics/show/224-whatanoa-gateway-fmg-stadium-waikato|date=12 Feb 2010|website=ketehamilton.peoplesnetworknz.info|language=en|access-date=2020-05-16}} ditches show on a 1943 aerial photo{{Cite web|title=Survey Number: SN266 Run Number: 830 Photo Number: 37|url=http://retrolens.nz/map/#/1799120.850011329/5816386.586549558/1799498.2578383714/5816645.457266366/2193/14|date=14 June 1943|website=retrolens.nz|access-date=2020-05-16}} and, when FMG Stadium was built in 2002, a waharoa (pā gateway) was placed to mark the site of the pā.
= Post colonisation =
The street layout was shown on an 1865 plan of the military settlement,{{Cite web|title=Plan of the military settlements in the upper Waikato|url=https://cdn-waikato-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/primo-explore/fulldisplay?docid=64WAIKATO_ALMA_DC1176355290003401&context=L&vid=64WAIKATO&lang=en_US&adaptor=Local%20Search%20Engine|date=1865|website=cdn-waikato-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com|access-date=2020-05-16}} just a year after the invasion of the Waikato and confiscation of the land. Ulster{{Cite web|title=Ulster Street|url=http://ketehamilton.peoplesnetworknz.info/hamilton_streets/topics/show/2083-ulster-street|website=ketehamilton.peoplesnetworknz.info|language=en|access-date=2020-05-16}} and Willoughby Streets were named in 1864, the latter after a colonial secretary, Willoughby Shortland.{{Cite web|title=Willoughby Street|url=http://ketehamilton.peoplesnetworknz.info/hamilton_streets/topics/show/2165-willoughby-street|website=ketehamilton.peoplesnetworknz.info|language=en|access-date=2020-05-18}}
Whitiora Lagoon, to the west of Abbotsford Street,{{Cite web|title=WAIKATO TIMES|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT19150706.2.12|date=6 July 1915|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|access-date=2020-05-16}} was drained in 1915{{Cite web|title=WHITIORA LAGOON. WAIKATO TIMES|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT19150123.2.15|date=23 Jan 1915|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|access-date=2020-05-16}} and a 'frog pond' at about the same time,{{Cite web|title=DAY BY DAY. WAIKATO TIMES|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT19140307.2.12|date=7 Mar 1914|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|access-date=2020-05-16}} seemingly as part of a scheme to drain the whole area.{{Cite web|title=TO DRAIN WHITIORA. WAIKATO TIMES|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT19150626.2.16|date=26 June 1915|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|access-date=2020-05-17}}
In the 1940s Snake Gully accommodation camp had airmen billeted in huts beside the Waitewhiriwhiri Stream, where the Badminton Club now stands.{{Cite web|title=RNZAF Stations Waikato BOP region|url=http://www.cambridgeairforce.org.nz/RNZAF%20Stations%20Waikato%20BOP%20area.htm|access-date=2020-06-03|website=www.cambridgeairforce.org.nz}} It was converted to an emergency housing camp in 1945.{{Cite web|date=4 May 1945|title=Hamilton Transit Camp. NEW ZEALAND HERALD|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19450504.2.31.1|access-date=2020-06-03|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}} File:Waitawhiriwhiri_Stream.jpg
Geography
Whitiora lies on the west bank of the Waikato River, just to the south of its confluence with the Waitewhiriwhiri Stream. Pollution of the stream has long been a problem.{{Cite web|title=WAITEWHIRIWHIRI STREAM. WAIKATO TIMES|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT19211020.2.67|date=20 Oct 1921|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|access-date=2020-05-16}} In 1921 the stench was said to be getting abominable due to factory waste.{{Cite web|title=WAITEWHIRIWHIRI STREAM. WAIKATO TIMES|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT19210914.2.60|date=14 Sep 1921|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|access-date=2020-05-16}}
= Hamilton Town Belt =
A stretch of the Hamilton Town Belt runs through Whitiora, including Beetham, Edgecumbe and Willoughby Parks. It was planned as a continuous belt, but has gradually been eroded, beginning with the rugby ground in 1922,{{Cite web|date=3 May 1922|title=FOOTBALL. WAIKATO TIMES|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT19220503.2.69|access-date=2020-06-03|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}} which had previously been covered in gorse.{{Cite web|date=29 Jun 1921|title=RUGBY FOOTBALL. WAIKATO TIMES|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT19210629.2.7|access-date=2020-06-03|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}} It has been calculated that only 56% remains as open green space.{{Cite web|last=H|first=Peter|date=2018-08-04|title=Waitawhiriwhiri to Ward, Town Belt – land use|url=http://hamiltonurbanblog.co.nz/2018/08/waitawhiriwhiri-to-ward-town-belt-land-use/|access-date=2020-06-03|website=Hamilton Urban Blog|language=en-GB}}
Demographics
Whitiora covers {{Convert|0.77|km2||abbr=on}} and has the Waitewhiriwhiri Stream as its northern and western boundary.{{Cite web|title=Stats NZ Geographic Data Service|url=https://datafinder.stats.govt.nz/data/|at=Statistical Area 2 2023 (generalised)|access-date=10 April 2025}}
Whitiora had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Whitiora|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Whitiora|y}}|R}}/0.77|0}} people per km2.
{{Historical populations|2006|1,797|2013|1,827|2018|2,277|2023|2,592|percentages=pagr|align=left|source={{NZ census 2018|Whitiora (178300)|whitiora|Whitiora}}|footnote=The 2006 population is for a larger area of 0.91 km2.}}
Whitiora had a population of 2,592 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 315 people (13.8%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 765 people (41.9%) since the 2013 census. There were 1,335 males, 1,245 females and 15 people of other genders in 1,383 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%2Bdo1.178301.2023&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}} 5.2% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 30.7 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 402 people (15.5%) aged under 15 years, 834 (32.2%) aged 15 to 29, 1,164 (44.9%) aged 30 to 64, and 195 (7.5%) aged 65 or older.
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 39.7% European (Pākehā); 30.9% Māori; 8.1% Pasifika; 32.5% Asian; 3.7% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 1.9% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 92.0%, Māori language by 8.6%, Samoan by 0.7%, and other languages by 26.5%. No language could be spoken by 2.8% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.6%. The percentage of people born overseas was 39.0, compared with 28.8% nationally.
Religious affiliations were 28.2% Christian, 10.1% Hindu, 4.5% Islam, 3.1% Māori religious beliefs, 1.2% Buddhist, 0.6% New Age, 0.1% Jewish, and 8.1% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 38.9%, and 5.7% of people did not answer the census question.
Of those at least 15 years old, 582 (26.6%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 1,020 (46.6%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 585 (26.7%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $43,100, compared with $41,500 nationally. 165 people (7.5%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 1,200 (54.8%) people were employed full-time, 210 (9.6%) were part-time, and 150 (6.8%) 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.178301.2013%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=Whitiora (178301)}}
In 2013 and earlier it had been part of Hamilton Central area.{{Cite web|title=2013 Census map – QuickStats about a place|url=http://archive.stats.govt.nz/StatsMaps/Home/People%20and%20households/2013-census-quickstats-about-a-place-map.aspx|website=archive.stats.govt.nz|access-date=2020-05-16}}
Education
Whitiora school was founded in October 1919,{{Cite web|title=Centenary 2019 - Whitiora School Website|url=http://www.whitiora.school.nz/centenary-2019|website=www.whitiora.school.nz|access-date=2020-05-16}} though a Whitiora school was mentioned in 1916.{{Cite web|title=WHITIORA SCHOOL PICNIC. WAIKATO TIMES|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT19161216.2.42|date=16 Dec 1916|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|access-date=2020-05-16}} It was built for 160,{{Cite web|title=EDUCATION IN HAMILTON. WAIKATO TIMES|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT19190711.2.22|date=11 Jul 1919|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|access-date=2020-05-16}} but Hamilton was growing so fast that 3 extra rooms had to be added before opening, as too many children wanted to attend.{{Cite web|title=WHITIORA SCHOOL. WAIKATO TIMES|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT19190915.2.21|date=15 Sep 1919|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|access-date=2020-05-16}} In 1920 it was extended to cater for another 200,{{Cite web|title=LOCAL AND GENERAL. WAIKATO TIMES|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT19200714.2.14|date=14 Jul 1920|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|access-date=2020-05-16}} but by 1923 it was again overcrowded.{{Cite web|title=RATEPAYERS' ASSOCIATION. WAIKATO TIMES|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT19231108.2.79|date=8 Nov 1923|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|access-date=2020-05-16}}
The primary school is for years 1 to 8. The roll is {{NZ school roll data|2091|y}} as of {{NZ school roll data|||y|y||.}} 47% of the roll of 230 identify as Māori and 11% as of Pacific origin.{{Cite web|title=Whitiora School - 09/07/2019|url=https://www.ero.govt.nz/review-reports/whitiora-school-09-07-2019/|website=Education Review Office|language=en-NZ|access-date=2020-05-16}}
Infrastructure
= Roads =
Whitiora was on the Great South Road, called Jersey Street until 1913, when the name Victoria Street was extended to it.{{Cite web|title=Victoria Street|url=http://ketehamilton.peoplesnetworknz.info/hamilton_streets/topics/show/296-victoria-street|website=ketehamilton.peoplesnetworknz.info|language=en|access-date=2020-05-17}}
The surface of Victoria Street was improved in 1914,{{Cite web|title=HAMILTON BOROUGH COUNCIL. WAIKATO ARGUS|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WAIGUS19140117.2.8|date=17 Jan 1914|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|access-date=2020-05-16}} with gravel added in 1929{{Cite web|title=MAIN ROADS. WAIKATO TIMES|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT19290514.2.37|date=14 May 1929|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|access-date=2020-05-17}} and asphalt being laid on roads and footpaths by 1935.{{Cite web|title=STREET WORKS. WAIKATO TIMES|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT19350503.2.73|date=3 May 1935|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|access-date=2020-05-17}}
There was a proposal to divert the main road from Victoria Street in 1930,{{Cite web|title=NECESSARY FOOTPATH. WAIKATO TIMES|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT19300715.2.92|date=15 Jul 1930|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|access-date=2020-05-16}} but it wasn't until the 1960s{{Cite web|title=Camera Obscura - Waikato Times|url=https://www.pressreader.com/new-zealand/waikato-times/20170210/281741269164249%201/1|last=SWAINSON|first=RICHARD|date=10 Feb 2017|via=PressReader|access-date=2020-05-16}} that Ulster Street was extended to absorb Gurnell Avenue and form a 4-lane main road,{{Cite web|title=Ulster Street|url=https://heritage.hamiltonlibraries.co.nz/objects/642/ulster-street|website=Hamilton Libraries Heritage Collection Online|language=en|access-date=2020-05-16}} by putting Waitewhiriwhiri Stream in a culvert and filling the valley.{{Cite web|title=Ulster Street gully culvert|url=https://heritage.hamiltonlibraries.co.nz/objects/845/ulster-street-gully-culvert|website=Hamilton Libraries Heritage Collection Online|language=en|access-date=2020-05-16}} A 2019 plan proposed to investigate restoring a link by putting a pedestrian and cycling tunnel parallel with the culvert.{{Cite web|title=West Town Belt Masterplan|url=https://www.hamilton.govt.nz/our-city/parks/Documents/Hamilton%20WTB%20Masterplan_web.pdf|date=August 2019|website=HAMILTON CITY COUNCIL}} It remained part of SH1 until Avalon Drive opened in 1992.{{Cite web|title=Transit New Zealand Act 1989|url=http://www.nzlii.org/nz/other/nz_gazette/1992/90.pdf|date=18 Jun 1992|website=The New Zealand Gazette}}
= Power =
Gas pipes were extended into the suburb in 1921.{{Cite web|title=HAMILTON GASWORKS. WAIKATO TIMES|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT19210728.2.63|date=28 July 1921|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|access-date=2020-05-17}} An electric substation was built near No.1 Bridge in 1922.{{Cite web|title=HYDRO-ELECTRICITY. WAIKATO TIMES|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT19220413.2.64|date=13 Apr 1922|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|access-date=2020-05-17}}
= Waste =
From 1922 to 1973 Hamilton West rubbish dump occupied {{Convert|5.4|ha||abbr=on}}, bounded by Willoughby Street Cemetery, Waitawhiriwhiri Stream and Ulster Street.{{Cite web|title=Resource consent granted to manage city rubbish dump legacy|url=https://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=8269|date=23 October 2007|website=www.infonews.co.nz|access-date=2020-05-17}} Provision was made to stop leachate reaching the stream and gas entering nearby properties, when the rugby training ground in Beetham Park was built in 2009.{{Cite web|title=New rugby training facility at Beetham Park|url=https://www.hamilton.govt.nz:443/our-council/news/Pages/default.aspx?newsItem=1807|website=www.hamilton.govt.nz|language=en-NZ|access-date=2020-05-16}}
= Sewage =
Until 1976 Waitawhirwhiri Stream was one of the locations for septic tanks,Hamilton City Sewerage Scheme 1978 publisher Hamilton City Council Hamilton reference library 628.309 931 151 HAM which were emptied into the stream.Astride the River: P J Gibbons 1977
Notable people
- Rufus Rogers, Labour MP, attended Whitiora School
- Ray Shannon, butterfly collector, attended Whitiora School