Takapau
| Takapau | |
|---|---|
| Rural community | |
  Takapau | |
| Coordinates: 40°02′S 176°21′E / 40.033°S 176.350°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Hawke's Bay |
| Territorial authority | Central Hawke's Bay District |
Takapau is a small rural community in the Central Hawkes Bay in New Zealand. It is located 20 kilometres west of Waipukurau, off State Highway 2, and has a population of more than 500.[1]
The original township was founded in 1876 by farmer Sydney Johnston from Oruawharo station. Johnston's family donated land for a school and churches, and built the local library, public hall and, later, Plunket rooms. Many streets are named after members of the family.[1]
Takapau was once the centre of a large flax milling industry, and the community takes its name from the flax that grew in the expansive Takapau plains. The Māori word translates literally as "mat" or "carpet".[1]
The largest business in Takapau is now the Silverfern Farms meat-processing plant, founded by the Hawke’s Bay Farmers’ Meat Company in 1981. Kintail Honey, one of country's largest honey-packing and beekeeping operations, is also based in the town.[1]
There are two marae and two schools at Takapau and a Trappist monastery, Southern Star Abbey nearby.
References
- 1 2 3 4 Pollock, Kerryn. "Takapau". Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Ministry for Culture and Heritage.