Waihi Beach

Waihi Beach
Waihi Beach
Waihi Beach
Coordinates: 37°24′S 175°56′E / 37.400°S 175.933°E / -37.400; 175.933
Country  New Zealand
Region Bay of Plenty
Territorial authority Western Bay of Plenty District
Ward Waihi Beach
Population (June 2018)[1]
 • Total 2,220

Waihi Beach is a coastal town at the western end of the Bay of Plenty in New Zealand's North Island. It lies 10 kilometres to the east of the town of Waihi, at the foot of the Coromandel Peninsula. The main beach itself extends approximately 10 kilometres. The town had a permanent population of 1773 as of 2006,[2] but that increases to 16,000 in summer.[3]

At the northern end of Waihi Beach, the 145 hectares (360 acres) Orokawa Scenic Reserve offers several short walking tracks along the coast and to Orokawa Bay.[4][5] While the main beach is backed by the residential area of the township of Waihi Beach, Orokawa Bay is undeveloped and surrounded by native bush including pohutukawa, puriri, and nikau palms.[5]

At the southern end of the beach is the small settlement of Bowentown and the northern side of the northern (Katikati) entrance to Tauranga Harbour.[6] The Bowentown settlement includes Otāwhiwhi Marae, a marae (tribal meeting ground) of the Ngāi Te Rangi tribe and Ngāi Tauwhao sub-tribe;[7] it includes the Tamaoho wharenui (meeting house).[8]

Māori have lived in the region since pre-European times, with numerous pā sites within a few kilometres of Waihi Beach. There is still evidence of the old pā sites at the Bowentown end of Waihi Beach. The name Waihi ("Rising Water") is said to be named after a stream which flows into the beach, the later town of Waihi taking its name from the name for the beach.[9]

The Waihi Beach Hotel was built in 1967 and the Athenree mineral hot springs are located nearby.[10] Nearby Waihi is known for the gold and silver mining operation at Martha Mine and several underground mines.[11]

Coordinates: 37°24′S 175°56′E / 37.400°S 175.933°E / -37.400; 175.933

References

  1. ↑ "Subnational Population Estimates: At 30 June 2018 (provisional)". Statistics New Zealand. 23 October 2018. Retrieved 23 October 2018. For urban areas, "Subnational population estimates (UA, AU), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996, 2001, 2006-18 (2018 boundary)". Statistics New Zealand. 23 October 2018. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  2. ↑ "QuickStats About Waihi Beach". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 2014-09-06.
  3. ↑ http://www.nzherald.co.nz/bay-of-plenty-times/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503343&objectid=11086517
  4. ↑ "Orokawa Bay". Waihi Beach Community Events & Promotions Inc. Retrieved 2014-09-06.
  5. 1 2 "Tauranga area: Orokawa Scenic Reserve short walking tracks". Department of Conservation NZ. Retrieved 2014-09-06.
  6. ↑ "Bay of Plenty places - Waihī Beach to Bowentown". Te Ara: Encyclopedia of New Zealand. 2012-11-14. Retrieved 2014-09-06.
  7. ↑ "Te Kāhui Māngai directory". tkm.govt.nz. Te Puni Kōkiri.
  8. ↑ "Māori Maps". maorimaps.com. Te Potiki National Trust.
  9. ↑ "History of Waihi Beach". Ohinemuri Regional History Journal 9, May 1968. Retrieved 2014-09-06.
  10. ↑ "Why Waihi? Why not?". Waikato Times. 2014-01-20. Retrieved 2014-09-06.
  11. ↑ "History - Newmont Waihi Gold". Newmont Mining Corporation. Retrieved 2014-09-06.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.