Takapūwāhia, also known as Porirua Pa, was originally built on one of the oldest settlements in the Porirua basin — Te Urukahika, a small hamlet located on the western shore of Porirua harbour in the lower North Island of New Zealand.
Takapūwāhia | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| City | Porirua |
| Local authority | Porirua City Council |
| Electoral ward |
|
| Train stations | Porirua railway station |
| Tītahi Bay | ||
  Takapūwāhia  |
Porirua Harbour | |
| Elsdon | Porirua |
In the 1850s Takapūwāhia had a population of over 250 Māori. As the crown acquired more iwi land for Pakeha settlement the wider iwi was invited to settle in Porirua by Ngati Maunu, the senior hapū of Ngāti Toa. Families came from Pukerua Bay and Taupo Pa, now known as Plimmerton.
In 1889 the settlement moved from Te Urukahika (now called Elsdon) to its current location, and became the primary home to Ngāti Toa Rangatira. In 1910 a school was built next to the wharenui (meeting house).[1]
The settlement includes Takapūwāhia Marae, a marae (tribal meeting ground) of Ngāti Toa Rangatira. The marae includes a wharenui, known as Toa Rangatira.[2][3]
Name
editTakapūwāhia is named for a place of the same name in Kāwhia, the former home of Ngāti Toa.[4]
Demographics
editTakapūwāhia is combined with the neighbouring suburb of Elsdon for statistical purposes. The Elsdon-Takapuwahia statistical area covers 10.30 km2 (3.98 sq mi) and also includes the large rural area of Colonial Knob to the west.[5]
Education
editMana College is a co-educational state secondary school for Year 9 to 13 students,[6] with a roll of 517 as of August 2024.[7] The school was founded in 1957.[8]
Mahinawa Specialist School is a co-educational specialist school,[9] with a roll of 127.[10]
References
edit- ^ "Historic site: Takapuwahia Village". pcc.govt.nz. Archived from the original on 28 May 2013. Retrieved 30 April 2013.
- ^ "Te Kāhui Māngai directory". tkm.govt.nz. Te Puni Kōkiri.
- ^ "Māori Maps". maorimaps.com. Te Potiki National Trust.
- ^ Best, Elsdon. "OLLA PODRIDA". www.tawahistory.org.nz. Tawa Historical Society. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
- ^ "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
- ^ "Mana College Education Review Office Report". ero.govt.nz. Education Review Office.
- ^ "Mana College Ministry of Education School Profile". educationcounts.govt.nz. Ministry of Education.
- ^ "Mana College Official School Website". mana.school.nz.
- ^ "Mahinawa Specialist School Education Review Office Report". ero.govt.nz. Education Review Office.
- ^ "Mahinawa Specialist School Ministry of Education School Profile". educationcounts.govt.nz. Ministry of Education.