Waihi Beach
Waihi Beach | |
|---|---|
 Waihi Beach | |
.svg)  Waihi Beach | |
| Coordinates: 37°24′S 175°56′E / 37.400°S 175.933°E | |
| Country |  New Zealand |
| Region | Bay of Plenty |
| Territorial authority | Western Bay of Plenty District |
| Ward | Waihi Beach |
Waihi Beach is a coastal town at the western end of the Bay of Plenty in New Zealand's North Island. It lies 10 kilometres to the east of the town of Waihi, at the foot of the Coromandel Peninsula. The main beach itself extends approximately 10 kilometres. The town had a permanent population of as of June 2023.
At the northern end of Waihi Beach, the 145 hectares (360 acres) Orokawa Scenic Reserve offers several short walking tracks along the coast and to Orokawa Bay.[2][3] While the main beach is backed by the residential area of the township of Waihi Beach, Orokawa Bay is undeveloped and surrounded by native bush including pohutukawa, puriri, and nikau palms.[3]
At the southern end of the beach is the small settlement of Bowentown and the northern side of the northern Katikati entrance to Tauranga Harbour.[4] The Bowentown settlement includes Otāwhiwhi Marae, a marae (tribal meeting ground) of the Ngāi Te Rangi tribe and Ngāi Tauwhao sub-tribe;[5] it includes the Tamaoho wharenui (meeting house).[6]
Māori have lived in the region since pre-European times, with numerous pā sites within a few kilometres of Waihi Beach. There is still evidence of the old pā sites at the Bowentown end of Waihi Beach. The name Waihi ("Rising Water") is said to be named after a stream which flows into the beach, the later town of Waihi taking its name from the name for the beach.[7]
The Waihi Beach Hotel was built in 1967 and the Athenree mineral hot springs are located nearby.[8] Nearby Waihi is known for the gold and silver mining operation at Martha Mine and several underground mines.[9]
Education
Waihi Beach School is a co-educational state primary school for Year to 6 students,[10] with a roll of 204 as of February 2024.[11]
References
- ^ "Subnational population estimates (RC, SA2), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023. (regional councils); "Subnational population estimates (TA, SA2), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023. (territorial authorities); "Subnational population estimates (urban rural), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023. (urban areas)
- ^ "Orokawa Bay". Waihi Beach Community Events & Promotions Inc. Retrieved 2014-09-06.
- ^ a b "Tauranga area: Orokawa Scenic Reserve short walking tracks". Department of Conservation NZ. Retrieved 2014-09-06.
- ^ "Bay of Plenty places - Waihī Beach to Bowentown". Te Ara: Encyclopedia of New Zealand. 2012-11-14. Retrieved 2014-09-06.
- ^ "Te Kāhui Māngai directory". tkm.govt.nz. Te Puni Kōkiri.
- ^ "Māori Maps". maorimaps.com. Te Potiki National Trust.
- ^ "History of Waihi Beach". Ohinemuri Regional History Journal 9, May 1968. Retrieved 2014-09-06.
- ^ "Why Waihi? Why not?". Waikato Times. 2014-01-20. Retrieved 2014-09-06.
- ^ "History - Newmont Waihi Gold". Newmont Mining Corporation. Retrieved 2014-09-06.
- ^ "Waihi Beach School Ministry of Education School Profile". educationcounts.govt.nz. Ministry of Education.
- ^ "Waihi Beach School Education Review Office Report". ero.govt.nz. Education Review Office.