Tinopai is a settlement on the Komiti Bay, part of the Hukatere Peninsula in the northern Kaipara Harbour in Northland, New Zealand. The Otamatea River flows from the north east past Tinopai and into the harbour. Matakohe is 23 km (14 mi) to the north.[3][4]

Tinopai
Tinopai marina
Tinopai marina
Map
Coordinates: 36°15′18″S 174°14′55″E / 36.25500°S 174.24861°E / -36.25500; 174.24861
CountryNew Zealand
RegionNorthland Region
DistrictKaipara District
WardOtamatea Ward
Electorates
Government
 • Territorial AuthorityKaipara District Council
 • Regional councilNorthland Regional Council
Area
 • Total
23.22 km2 (8.97 sq mi)
Population
 (2018 Census)[2]
 • Total
210
 • Density9.0/km2 (23/sq mi)

It is now a quiet backwater.[5] The population is approximately 400, but expands to 1000 during the summer holiday season.[6]

The Hukatere Scenic Reserve is on the road to Matakohe[7] and contains a bush walk with mature kauri trees, to the north of Tinopai.[8]

History and culture

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The original settlement was called Te Komiti, which was a regular stopping point for Māori travellers on the Kaipara. A large raupo church, capable of holding several hundred people, was built here in 1852.[9] The Komiti Fruitlands Development Association bought 3,255 acres (13.17 km2) in 1915 to grow fruit, particularly apples, and built a wharf in 1917 from which to ship them. They renamed the area "Tinopai Fruitlands" in 1918. Apple growing finished in the mid-1930s due to the Great Depression and poor management.[10]

There are several marae in the Tinopai area. Ngā Tai Whakarongorua Marae and its Ngā Tai Whakarongorua meeting house, and Waihaua / Arapaoa Marae and its Kirihipi meeting house are connected with Te Uri o Hau and Ngāti Whātua. Rāwhitiroa Marae and its Rāwhitiroa meeting house are a meeting place for Te Uri o Hau and the Ngāti Whātua hapū of Te Popoto. The Waiōhou and Waiotea / Tinopai marae grounds are also meeting places for both iwi.[11][12]

Demographics

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Tinopai is in an SA1 statistical area which covers 23.22 km2 (8.97 sq mi).[1] The SA1 area is part of the larger Ruawai-Matakohe statistical area.[13]

Historical population for Tinopai and surrounds
YearPop.±% p.a.
2006189—    
2013174−1.17%
2018210+3.83%
Source: [2]
 
Tinopai wharf, opened 1991 by MP Lockwood Smith

The SA1 statistical area had a population of 210 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 36 people (20.7%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 21 people (11.1%) since the 2006 census. There were 78 households, comprising 117 males and 93 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.26 males per female. The median age was 55.4 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 27 people (12.9%) aged under 15 years, 27 (12.9%) aged 15 to 29, 99 (47.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 57 (27.1%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 70.0% European/Pākehā, 48.6% Māori, 2.9% Pacific peoples, and 1.4% Asian. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 47.1% had no religion, 28.6% were Christian, 7.6% had Māori religious beliefs, 1.4% were Buddhist and 1.4% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 15 (8.2%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 60 (32.8%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $17,800, compared with $31,800 nationally. 9 people (4.9%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 45 (24.6%) people were employed full-time, 18 (9.8%) were part-time, and 6 (3.3%) were unemployed.[2]

Education

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Tinopai School is a coeducational full primary (years 1-8) school[14] with a roll of 18 students as of August 2024.[15] The school opened on 13 September 1916.[16]

Notes

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  1. ^ a b "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  2. ^ a b c "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. 7001061.
  3. ^ Peter Dowling, ed. (2004). Reed New Zealand Atlas. Reed Books. pp. map 10. ISBN 0-7900-0952-8.
  4. ^ Roger Smith, GeographX (2005). The Geographic Atlas of New Zealand. Robbie Burton. pp. map 30. ISBN 1-877333-20-4.
  5. ^ "Upper Kaipara Harbour". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand.
  6. ^ "Tinopai". Kauri Coast Information Centre.
  7. ^ "Tinopahi Travel Guide". Jasons Travel Media.
  8. ^ "Hukatere Scenic Reserve". Kauri Coast Information Centre.
  9. ^ Byrne, Brian (2002). The Unknown Kaipara. p. 189. ISBN 0-473-08831-2.
  10. ^ Ryburn, Wayne (1999). Tall Spars, Steamers & Gum. pp. 156–7. ISBN 0-473-06176-7.
  11. ^ "Te Kāhui Māngai directory". tkm.govt.nz. Te Puni Kōkiri.
  12. ^ "Māori Maps". maorimaps.com. Te Potiki National Trust.
  13. ^ 2018 Census place summary: Ruawai-Matakohe
  14. ^ Education Counts: Tinopai School
  15. ^ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  16. ^ "The history of Tinopai School". Tinopai School.
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