Waiatarua

Waiatarua is a small settlement near the top of the Waitakere Ranges, which border New Zealand's largest city, Auckland, close to the junction of Scenic Drive, West Coast Road and Piha Road to Piha and runs east until the junction of Scenic Drive and Mountain Road. Surrounded by native bush in the Centennial Memorial Park and the water catchment area, Waiatarua is over 300 metres above sea level and some houses are over 400 metres above sea level (higher than the Auckland Sky Tower). Waiatarua means “song of two waters”, possibly referring to the ability to see both the wild west coast, and the still, sparkling waters of the Manukau and Waitemata harbours from certain points in the area [1].

Community facilities

Community facilities include a fire station, community hall, play centre, library, café and hotel.[2]

History

Rose Hellaby House is a historic building transformed into a museum. Large Kauri trees were milled in Waiatarua at Mander and Bradley's Mill close to Upper Nihotupu reservoir.[3]

Tourism

The nearby Arataki Information Centre[4] proves information about the local flora, fauna and geology, and is the starting point for a number of well-maintained walking trails.

Tramping

The Waiatarua area includes the Upper and Lower Nihotupu water reservoirs. Leading to these reservoirs are scenic walking trails through native forest past waterfalls. These trails connect with the wider network of walking trails within Waitakere Regional Park. Many other tramping tracks are in the area. The nearest centres to Waiatarua are Titirangi village, Swanson, and the Henderson Valley.

Education

The local state primary schools are Oratia School and Henderson Valley School. The local state secondary schools are Kelston Boys High School and Kelston Girls' College. Catholic students usually attend St Dominic's College in Henderson (girls), Liston College in Henderson (boys) or commute by train from Henderson to Marist College in Mount Albert (girls) or St Peter's College in Grafton (boys) [5]. School buses departing from nearby Titirangi village service schools in central Auckland including Epsom Girls' Grammar School, St Cuthbert's College, Auckland [6] and Diocesan School for Girls, Auckland.

Radio and television mast

A transmission mast is located in the area. The Freeview UHF terrestrial service is transmitted to many areas in Auckland. A transmitter for Kordia's Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) trial is also located here. FM radio services used to be transmitted but these were transferred to the Auckland Sky Tower.

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://www.waitakere.govt.nz/abtcit/ne/pdf/ranges/app-d-waiatarua-background-report.pdf
  2. ↑ https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/arts-culture-heritage/heritage-walks-places/docswaitakererangesheritagearea/waiatarua-local-area-plan.pdf
  3. ↑ "Auckland Council Local History Online". aucklandcouncil.govt.nz. Retrieved 2016-02-24.
  4. ↑ "Arataki Visitor Centre". Regionalparks.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz. Retrieved 2015-05-14.
  5. ↑ http://www.aucklandcatholic.org.nz/catholic-schools/catholic-schools/catholic-secondary-schools-in-auckland
  6. ↑ http://www.stcuthberts.school.nz/

Coordinates: 36°56′S 174°35′E / 36.933°S 174.583°E / -36.933; 174.583

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