Whananaki

Whananaki
Whananaki Footbridge
Whananaki Footbridge
Whananaki is located in Northland Region
Whananaki
Whananaki
Coordinates: 35°30′49″S 174°27′23″E / 35.51361°S 174.45639°E / -35.51361; 174.45639
CountryNew Zealand
RegionNorthland Region
DistrictWhangarei District

Whananaki (Māori: Whananāki) is a locality on the east coast of Northland, New Zealand. Whangārei is to the southwest. Te Wairahi Stream flows from the northwest into Whananaki Inlet, a wide tidal estuary which separates Whananaki from Whananaki South. Sandy Bay lies to the southeast.[1][2] A long wooden footbridge connects Whananaki North and Whananaki South,[3] with an alternative connection being a 6-kilometre-long (3.7 mi) road that crosses the river above the estuary. Hikurangi is about 22 km southwest of Whananaki South.[4]

The area was reputedly named by Puhi, the captain of the legendary waka Mātaatua. The Māori-language word Whananāki means "kicking", and the name arose because mosquitoes caused Puhi to sleep restlessly.[5]

Marae

Whananāki Marae and Whakapaumahara meeting house are a meeting place for Ngāti Rehua and the Ngātiwai hapū of Te Āki Tai.[6][7]

Work began on redeveloping the marae in December 2018.[8]

In October 2020, the Government committed $341,028 from the Provincial Growth Fund towards continuing the upgrade, creating 14 jobs.[9]

Education

Whananaki School is a coeducational full primary (years 1–8) school[10] with a roll of 33 as of August 2024.[11] The school opened in 1889.[12]

Notable people

Notes

  1. ^ Peter Dowling, ed. (2004). Reed New Zealand Atlas. Reed Books. pp. map 5. ISBN 0-7900-0952-8.
  2. ^ Roger Smith, GeographX (2005). The Geographic Atlas of New Zealand. Robbie Burton. pp. map 25. ISBN 1-877333-20-4.
  3. ^ "The Long Way Home". 21 January 2005.
  4. ^ Parkes, W. F. (1992). Guide to Whangarei City and District. p. 42. ISBN 0-473-01639-7.
  5. ^ "Whāngārei tribes – Ancestors". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand.
  6. ^ "Te Kāhui Māngai directory". tkm.govt.nz. Te Puni Kōkiri.
  7. ^ "Māori Maps". maorimaps.com. Te Potiki National Trust.
  8. ^ "Whakapaumahara Marae Stage One Re-build begins". Ngāitiwai. ngatiwai.iwi.nz. 11 December 2018.
  9. ^ "Marae Announcements" (Excel). growregions.govt.nz. Provincial Growth Fund. 9 October 2020.
  10. ^ Education Counts: Whananaki School
  11. ^ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  12. ^ "Whananaki School History". Whananaki School. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  13. ^ Milne, Jonathan (21 August 2005). "Dining with Winston Peters". The New Zealand Herald.
  14. ^ Tahana, Yvonne (31 December 2007). "New Year Honours: Teacher and politician proud of family and the North". The New Zealand Herald.