Mākara
Makara | |
|---|---|
 Makara beach | |
  Makara | |
| Coordinates: 41°13′12″S 174°42′50″E / 41.220009°S 174.713791°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| City | Wellington |
| Population (2006) | |
| • Total | 759 |
| Ohariu | ||
  Makara  |
||
| Karori |
Makara is a locality located at the western edge of Wellington, New Zealand, close to the shore of the Tasman Sea.[1] The suburb is named after the Makara Stream ('ma' is Te Reo Māori for white, kara is a kind of greywacke stone).
With winding road access from Karori or Ohariu, Makara is a rural area with sparse development.
History
In the nineteenth century there was a small amount of gold-mining at Terawhiti Station but no large-scale workable deposits were ever found. Tunnels associated with mining activity still exist on the hillside. [2]
In 1921 Makara War Memorial was unveiled, built in memory of local residents who died in World War 1. [3]
There are gun emplacements at Fort Opau which still remain. These were built as part of the coastal fortifications of New Zealand due to fears of invasion during the second world war. A small foreshore reserve of sand dunes was bulldozed during this time as it was felt these could be hiding places for an invading army. This destroyed ecosystem is slowly being restored by local community groups. [4]
The Cook Strait Cable comes ashore from the South Island at Oteranga Bay in the suburb of Makara. The HVDC line came into operation in April 1965 and was at the time the worlds largest submarine cable.[5]
In 2007 construction began on Meridian Energy's West Wind farm along Terawhiti Ridge. A temporary wharf was constructed in Oteranga Bay to move turbine parts into the area without going through Wellington's Central Business District. The 62 turbine farm was completed in 2009 and includes a recreation area. [6]
Makara Beach was hit by Cyclone Gita in 2018 and the community and local council have put a plan in place to reduce the effects of climate change since. [7]
Facilities
Parks and Reserves
There is a Department of Conservation managed 6km walkway at the beach which follows the coast before climbing gradually to the cliff tops.
There is also a two hour walk from Makara to Boom Rock if the Makara Stream is crossed. [8]
There is a small boat access at the north end of Makara Beach into the river. [9]
Churches and Cemeteries
Makara Cemetery is Wellington's largest cemetery. It was founded after Karori Cemetery edged towards full capacity in 1940, the first burial occurred in 1965. It is currently about one third full. [10]
The burial ground Ngā Iwi o Te Motu Urupā is open for Māori and their whānau in Makara Cemetery.
St Patricks Church was built in Makara in 1873 by the Catholic Diocese. It is now a non-denominational, community owned church and often serves as a function area alongside the Makara Hall next door. [11]
Education
Makara Model School is the local primary school and community emergency hub. [12]
See also
- Project West Wind wind farm.
- Terawhiti Station.
References
- ^ "Place name detail: Makara". New Zealand Gazetteer. New Zealand Geographic Board. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
- ^ "Wellington.scoop.co.nz » Students learn about 19th century gold mining on Makara coast". Retrieved 1 July 2019.
- ^ "Makara war memorial | NZHistory, New Zealand history online". nzhistory.govt.nz. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
- ^ "Makara Beach". Wellington City Council. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
- ^ "Engineering Heritage". ipenz.org.nz. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
- ^ "West Wind Wind Farm". www.windenergy.org.nz. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
- ^ "Wellington seaside village hatches climate change plan after Cyclone Gita mayhem". Stuff. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
- ^ "Makara Beach". Wellington City Council. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
- ^ "Boat ramps". Wellington City Council. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
- ^ "About Makara Cemetery". Wellington City Council. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
- ^ "Makara Hall and St Patricks Church". Makara Hall and St Patricks Church. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
- ^ "Makara Model School". Makara Model School. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
External links
- 1:50,000 map
- "Makara Valley c1940 (image)". Transactions of the Royal Society of New Zealand. 1940.
 | This Wellington Region-related geography article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |