Kawakawa, New Zealand
Kawakawa | |
---|---|
![]() The main street of Kawakawa | |
Motto(s): Train Town | |
![]() ![]() Kawakawa | |
Coordinates: 35°22′48″S 174°4′8″E / 35.38000°S 174.06889°E | |
Country | New Zealand |
Region | Northland Region |
District | Far North District |
Postcode(s) | 0210 |
Kawakawa is a small town in the Bay of Islands area of the Northland Region of New Zealand. It had a population of 1347 at the 2006 census, down from 1401 in 2001.[1] Kawakawa developed as a service town when coal was found there in 1864, but coal mining ceased in the early 20th century. The economy is now based on farming.[2]
Features
The town is known as "Train Town", because the Bay of Islands Vintage Railway runs down the middle of its main street on the former Opua Branch railway line. 8 km of the 17 km track reopened in 2008.[3] At present trains are unable to go over "Long Bridge" because it is being re-piled, and the track between this bridge at Taumarere and Opua is being used as part of the Twin Coast Cyclepath. As soon as re-piling has been completed and the bridge certified for train use, this part of the track will be refurbished and the cyclepath moved next to the track.
![](../I/m/Hundertwasser_toilet_entrance.jpg)
The town is also famous for its Hundertwasser toilet block, designed by Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser, who was a resident of the town from 1975 until his death in 2000. Another attraction is the nearby Kawiti glowworm Caves at Waiomio.
Education
Kawakawa Primary School is a full primary (years 1-8) school with a roll of 210.[4]
Bay of Islands College is a secondary (years 9-13) school with a roll of 422.[5] It takes students from around the Bay of Islands and middle Northland, with 85% of its students travelling daily by bus to attend.[6]
Both schools have a decile rating of 1, and are coeducational.
Karetu School is another primary school in the Kawakawa region.
Notable people
- Kelvin Davis – politician
- Jack Goodhue - rugby player
- Joe Schmidt - rugby coach
References
- ↑ Quickstats about Kawakawa
- ↑ "The Waiōmio valley". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand.
- ↑ "Kawakawa Travel Guide". Jasons Travel Media.
- ↑ Te Kete Ipurangi schools database: Kawakawa Primary school
- ↑ Te Kete Ipurangi schools database: Bay of Islands College
- ↑ "Bay of Islands College - School Information". Archived from the original on 2007-08-08.
External links
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