Kihikihi

Kihikihi, a small town located in the Waikato region of the North Island of New Zealand, serves as a satellite community of Te Awamutu, five kilometres to the north, and lies 35 kilometres south of Hamilton. The 2018 New Zealand census recorded a population of 2,319 people[2] The main reason for the large increase since 2013 is the construction of a large number of new dwellings.

Kihikihi Star Hotel (c.1883)

Kihikihi
Kihikihi Town Hall (c.1904)
Kihikihi
Coordinates: 38°2′S 175°21′E
CountryNew Zealand
RegionWaikato
DistrictWaipa District
Population
 (June 2019)[1]
 • Total2,740

The town's outer rim has merged with the expanding rim of Te Awamutu, rendering the boundary between the two towns difficult to perceive.

Kihikihi is a Māori-language word meaning "cicada"; the name imitates the sound made by the insect.[3] A large statue of a cicada stands at the northern entrance to the town.

The Kihikihi cicada statue

Kihikihi's multi-purpose sports domain hosts national and international equestrian events such as the FEI Eventing World Cup.

The town is also home to the historic Kihikihi Polo Club, founded in 1892 by the Kay family.[4]

Demographics
Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
20061,998—    
20132,022+0.17%
20182,319+2.78%
Source: [2]

Kihikihi Central had a population of 2,319 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 297 people (14.7%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 321 people (16.1%) since the 2006 census. There were 819 households. There were 1,158 males and 1,164 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.99 males per female. Of the total population, 489 people (21.1%) were aged up to 15 years, 468 (20.2%) were 15 to 29, 1,026 (44.2%) were 30 to 64, and 333 (14.4%) were 65 or older. Figures may not add up to the total due to rounding.

Ethnicities were 75.9% European/Pākehā, 33.2% Māori, 2.8% Pacific peoples, 3.1% Asian, and 1.6% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 13.6, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people objected to giving their religion, 53.0% had no religion, 30.8% were Christian, and 6.2% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 201 (11.0%) people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 474 (25.9%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $29,400. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 966 (52.8%) people were employed full-time, 240 (13.1%) were part-time, and 87 (4.8%) were unemployed.[2]

People

John Rochford (1832–1893)[5] died in the Star Hotel and is buried in the Kihikihi Cemetery near the Kihikihi Primary school. He was one of the first to survey the routes of today's railways in both the North and South Islands. A reserve in Kihikhi commemorates the name of John Rochford.

Rewi Maniapoto (1807–1894) lived in Kihikihi, on the site of the Rewi Maniapoto Reserve and the memorial. Kihikihi stood at the core of the productive farm-lands that Maori developed in the 1850s with the help of CMS missionaries. The district supplied food to new settlers in Auckland for a brief period. The area became the heartland of anti-government Maori in 1863, during the New Zealand Wars.

Archaeological sites

20 archaeological sites have been identified in the town,[6] 9 of which are listed by Heritage New Zealand -

  • c1868 Alpha Hotel[7]
  • 1879 Major Jackson's House[8]
  • 1881 Christ Church (Anglican)[9]
  • 1883 Star Hotel[10]
  • 1894 Rewi Maniapoto Memorial and Reserve[11]
  • 1904 Town Hall[12]
  • 1907 Constable's House and Police Station[13]
  • 1920 World War One Memorial[14]
  • 94 Lyon St[15]

Under the Reserves Act 1977, a management plan for some of the historic area was drawn up for Waipa District Council.[16]

Education

Kihikihi School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 6 students,[17] with a roll of 169 as of March 2020[18]

Puahue School, another co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 6 students, is located east of the township;[19] it has a roll of 146 .[20]

Transport

Kihikihi is on SH3. An infrequent bus service operated by GoBus links it to Te Awamutu and Hamilton.[21] The Kihikihi Trail cycleway to Te Awamutu[22] opened in 2017.[23]

References
  1. "Subnational Population Estimates: At 30 June 2019". Statistics New Zealand. 22 October 2019. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  2. "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Kihikihi Central (184800). 2018 Census place summary: Kihikihi Central
  3. Reed, A. W. (1975). The Reed Dictionary of New Zealand Place Names. Max Cryer. Auckland: Reed (published 2002). p. 250. ISBN 0790007614. Lit. cicada or tree-locust (Amphipsalta cingulata), a name that imitates its strident song.
  4. Kihikihi Polo Club: About us
  5. Exploring New Zealand's interior
  6. "NZAA Site Viewer". archsite.eaglegis.co.nz. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
  7. "Alpha Hotel". www.heritage.org.nz. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
  8. "Major Jackson's House". www.heritage.org.nz. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
  9. "Christ Church (Anglican)". www.heritage.org.nz. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
  10. "Star Hotel". www.heritage.org.nz. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
  11. "Rewi Maniapoto Memorial and Reserve". www.heritage.org.nz. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
  12. "Town Hall". www.heritage.org.nz. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
  13. "Constable's House and Police Station". www.heritage.org.nz. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
  14. "World War One Memorial". www.heritage.org.nz. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
  15. "House". www.heritage.org.nz. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
  16. "Rata-tu Management Plan (Kihikihi Heritage Precinct)" (PDF). Waipa District Council. December 2013.
  17. "Ministry of Education School Profile". educationcounts.govt.nz. Ministry of Education.
  18. "Education Review Office Report". ero.govt.nz. Education Review Office.
  19. "Ministry of Education School Profile". educationcounts.govt.nz. Ministry of Education.
  20. "Education Review Office Report". ero.govt.nz. Education Review Office.
  21. "Te Awamutu 24 | Busit". busit.co.nz. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
  22. "New trail route confirmed - Waipa District Council". www.waipadc.govt.nz. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
  23. "Kihikihi trail - Waipa District Council". www.waipadc.govt.nz. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
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