Waimauku is a small locality in the Auckland Region of New Zealand. It comes under the jurisdiction of Auckland Council, and is in the council's Rodney ward. Waimauku is approximately 4 kilometres west of Huapai on State Highway 16 at the junction with the road to Muriwai Beach. Helensville is 16 km to the north-west.[3][4] Waimauku is a Māori word which is literally translated as wai: stream and mauku: varieties of small ferns.[5]

Waimauku
Photograph of Waimauku School
Waimauku School
Map
Coordinates: 36°46′7″S 174°29′36″E / 36.76861°S 174.49333°E / -36.76861; 174.49333
CountryNew Zealand
RegionAuckland
WardRodney ward
Community boardRodney Local Board
SubdivisionKumeū subdivision
Electorates
Government
 • Territorial AuthorityAuckland Council
Area
 • Total1.44 km2 (0.56 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2024)[2]
 • Total1,320
 • Density920/km2 (2,400/sq mi)

Formerly a farming and fruit-growing community, the area around Waimauku now features a number of wineries and an increasing suburban and lifestyle farming population.

The Auckland Regional Council announced in 2007 that Western Line rail services would be extended to Helensville for a one-year trial period commencing in July 2008.[6] This service would include a stop at Waimauku.[7] A new station platform was built at Waimauku and the service commenced on 14 July 2008.[8] The service ceased in 2009, and the platform is currently unused.[9]

Etymology

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The name Waimauku describes the banks of the Kaipara River near the modern settlement, and how when they flooded only tī mauku (cabbage trees) would be visible.[10]

History

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The wider Kaipara River area has been settled by Māori since at least 1400AD.[11] Early tribal identities of the people who lived here included Ngā Oho, Ngāti Awa, Te Kawerau ā Maki and Ngāti Whātua.[12][13][10] By the early 18th century, the major power in the area had become Te Taoū, a distinct hapū of Ngāti Whātua. [14]

The Waimauku Dairy Factory was established in 1909, specialising in collecting cream from the surrounding areas. By 1951 it was converted into a bulk receiving station for cream, and closed in 1956.[15] In 1921, St Martin's Church was established at Waimauku.[16]

Demographics

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Waimauku covers 1.44 km2 (0.56 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 1,320 as of June 2024,[2] with a population density of 917 people per km2.

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
20061,014—    
20131,173+2.10%
20181,338+2.67%
Source: [17]
 
Waimauku Railway Station

Before the 2023 census, Waimauku had a significantly larger boundary, covering 5.63 km2 (2.17 sq mi).[1] Using that boundary, Waimauku had a population of 1,338 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 165 people (14.1%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 324 people (32.0%) since the 2006 census. There were 426 households, comprising 666 males and 669 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.0 males per female. The median age was 40.4 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 294 people (22.0%) aged under 15 years, 216 (16.1%) aged 15 to 29, 660 (49.3%) aged 30 to 64, and 165 (12.3%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 93.7% European/Pākehā, 11.0% Māori, 3.4% Pacific peoples, 4.5% Asian, and 1.8% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 22.0, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 61.0% had no religion, 30.5% were Christian, 1.1% were Hindu, 0.4% were Buddhist and 1.3% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 234 (22.4%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 135 (12.9%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $45,400, compared with $31,800 nationally. 312 people (29.9%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 588 (56.3%) people were employed full-time, 174 (16.7%) were part-time, and 18 (1.7%) were unemployed.[17]

Marae

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The local Reweti Marae is affiliated with the Ngāti Whātua o Kaipara and Ngāti Whātua hapū of Te Taoū.[18] It features Whiti te Rā meeting house.[19]

Governance

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Waimauku is part of the Local Government Rodney Ward of Auckland Council and is part of the Kumeu Subdivision of the Rodney Local Board.

Waimauku is in the Kaipara ki Mahurangi electorate. (Previously Helensville electorate.)

Economy

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The township is in the North West Country Inc business improvement district zone. The business association which represents businesses from Kaukapakapa to Riverhead.

Education

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Waimauku School is a coeducational full primary (years 1-8) school with a roll of 709 students as at August 2024.[20][21]

The local secondary school is Kaipara College.

References

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  1. ^ a b c "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  3. ^ Peter Dowling, ed. (2004). Reed New Zealand Atlas. Reed Books. map 11. ISBN 0-7900-0952-8.
  4. ^ Roger Smith, GeographX (2005). The Geographic Atlas of New Zealand. Robbie Burton. map 34. ISBN 1-877333-20-4.
  5. ^ Wises New Zealand Guide, 7th Edition 1979. p.475
  6. ^ Auckland Regional Council Summary Draft Plan 2008/2009
  7. ^ "Commuter train services to resume to Helensville". The New Zealand Herald. 27 June 2007.
  8. ^ Dearnaley, Mathew (14 July 2008). "New commuter train services". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 14 July 2008.
  9. ^ "Calls for rail to ease congestion in Auckland's north-west". Stuff. 27 September 2016. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
  10. ^ a b Te Kawerau ā Maki; The Trustees of Te Kawerau Iwi Settlement Trust; The Crown (22 February 2014). "Te Kawerau ā Maki Deed of Settlement Schedule" (PDF). Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  11. ^ Bellwood, Peter (1972). "Excavations at Otakanini Pa, South Kaipara Harbour". Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand. 2 (3): 259–291. doi:10.1080/03036758.1972.10421818. ISSN 0303-6758.
  12. ^ Kawharu, Margaret (2007). "Pre-European History - Ngati Whatua". Helensville Museum. Archived from the original on 6 February 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  13. ^ Sheffield 2011, pp. 25–26.
  14. ^ Stone, R. C. J. (2001). From Tamaki-makau-rau to Auckland. Auckland University Press. pp. 36–45. ISBN 1869402596.
  15. ^ Dunsford 2002, pp. 241–242.
  16. ^ Dunsford 2002, pp. 91.
  17. ^ a b "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Waimauku (114200). 2018 Census place summary: Waimauku
  18. ^ "Te Kāhui Māngai directory". tkm.govt.nz. Te Puni Kōkiri.
  19. ^ "Māori Maps". maorimaps.com. Te Potiki National Trust.
  20. ^ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  21. ^ Education Counts: Waimauku School

Bibliography

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  • Dunsford, Deborah (2002). Doing It Themselves: the Story of Kumeu, Huapai and Taupaki. Huapai-Kumeu Lions Club. ISBN 0-473-08969-6.
  • Sheffield, C. M. (2011). Men Came Voyaging (4th ed.). Auckland: Longley Printing Company Ltd. ISBN 978-0-473-18059-1.
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