Stratford, New Zealand

Settlement in Taranaki Region, New Zealand

Small urban area in Taranaki Region, New Zealand

Stratford

Whakaahurangi (Māori)

Small urban area

Coordinates: 39°20′S 174°17′E﻿ / ﻿39.333°S 174.283°E﻿ / -39.333; 174.283
Country| New Zealand
Region| Taranaki Region
Territorial authority| Stratford District
Ward|

* Stratford Urban General Ward
* Stratford Māori Ward

Electorates|

* Whanganui
* Te Tai Hauāuru (Māori)

Government

• Territorial Authority| Stratford District Council
• Regional council| Taranaki Regional Council
Area

[1]

• Small urban area| 8.90 km2 (3.44 sq mi)
• District| 2,163.42 km2 (835.30 sq mi)
Elevation

| 310 m (1,020 ft)
Population

(June 2023)[2]

• Urban

| 6,320
• District

| 10,300
• District density| 4.8/km2 (12/sq mi)
Postcode|

4332

Area code| 06

Stratford (Māori: Whakaahurangi) is the only town in Stratford District, and the seat of the Taranaki region, in New Zealand's North Island. It lies beneath the eastern slopes of Mount Taranaki, approximately halfway between New Plymouth and Hāwera, near the geographic centre of the Taranaki Region. The town has a population of 6,320, making it the 62nd largest urban area in New Zealand (using the Statistical Standard for Geographic Areas 2018 (SSGA18)), and the fourth largest in Taranaki (behind New Plymouth, Hāwera and Waitara).

The Stratford District has a population of 10,300, and a land area of 2,163.35 km2 (835.27 sq mi), which is divided between the Manawatū-Whanganui region (including the settlements of Whangamōmona, Marco and Tahora, 31.87% of its land area) and the Taranaki region (68.13% of its land area).

## Climate

[edit]

Stratford has a temperate Oceanic climate (Köppen Climate Classification: Cfb)[3]

Climate data for Stratford (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1960–present)

Month  | Jan  | Feb  | Mar  | Apr  | May  | Jun  | Jul  | Aug  | Sep  | Oct  | Nov  | Dec  | Year
Record high °C (°F)  | 29.5
(85.1)  | 28.1
(82.6)  | 26.6
(79.9)  | 24.0
(75.2)  | 20.7
(69.3)  | 18.5
(65.3)  | 18.3
(64.9)  | 17.9
(64.2)  | 20.6
(69.1)  | 22.6
(72.7)  | 24.8
(76.6)  | 27.8
(82.0)  | 29.5
(85.1)
Mean maximum °C (°F)  | 25.8
(78.4)  | 25.4
(77.7)  | 23.7
(74.7)  | 21.2
(70.2)  | 18.6
(65.5)  | 15.8
(60.4)  | 15.2
(59.4)  | 16.2
(61.2)  | 17.7
(63.9)  | 19.8
(67.6)  | 22.1
(71.8)  | 23.7
(74.7)  | 26.9
(80.4)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)  | 20.9
(69.6)  | 21.5
(70.7)  | 19.8
(67.6)  | 17.3
(63.1)  | 14.8
(58.6)  | 12.3
(54.1)  | 11.7
(53.1)  | 12.6
(54.7)  | 13.8
(56.8)  | 15.3
(59.5)  | 17.1
(62.8)  | 19.2
(66.6)  | 16.4
(61.4)
Daily mean °C (°F)  | 16.2
(61.2)  | 16.6
(61.9)  | 15.1
(59.2)  | 12.9
(55.2)  | 10.8
(51.4)  | 8.7
(47.7)  | 7.9
(46.2)  | 8.6
(47.5)  | 9.8
(49.6)  | 11.1
(52.0)  | 12.5
(54.5)  | 14.8
(58.6)  | 12.1
(53.8)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)  | 11.5
(52.7)  | 11.7
(53.1)  | 10.3
(50.5)  | 8.5
(47.3)  | 6.9
(44.4)  | 5.1
(41.2)  | 4.1
(39.4)  | 4.7
(40.5)  | 5.8
(42.4)  | 7.0
(44.6)  | 8.0
(46.4)  | 10.4
(50.7)  | 7.8
(46.1)
Mean minimum °C (°F)  | 6.4
(43.5)  | 6.8
(44.2)  | 4.8
(40.6)  | 2.6
(36.7)  | 0.7
(33.3)  | −0.6
(30.9)  | −1.1
(30.0)  | −0.7
(30.7)  | 0.6
(33.1)  | 1.3
(34.3)  | 2.6
(36.7)  | 5.4
(41.7)  | −2.3
(27.9)
Record low °C (°F)  | 2.7
(36.9)  | 2.2
(36.0)  | 0.8
(33.4)  | −0.3
(31.5)  | −2.3
(27.9)  | −5.5
(22.1)  | −7.5
(18.5)  | −4.6
(23.7)  | −2.7
(27.1)  | −1.9
(28.6)  | −0.6
(30.9)  | −0.3
(31.5)  | −7.5
(18.5)
Average rainfall mm (inches)  | 108.9
(4.29)  | 121.5
(4.78)  | 123.2
(4.85)  | 157.8
(6.21)  | 198.7
(7.82)  | 193.6
(7.62)  | 199.9
(7.87)  | 200.4
(7.89)  | 190.5
(7.50)  | 202.8
(7.98)  | 141.9
(5.59)  | 154.2
(6.07)  | 1,993.4
(78.47)
Mean monthly sunshine hours | 233.2  | 199.6  | 196.2  | 153.2  | 128.4  | 102.4  | 120.2  | 141.4  | 141.9  | 170.4  | 198.1  | 196.0  | 1,981
Source: NIWA[4][5]

## Road and rail

[edit]

Stratford is at the junction of State Highway 3 and State Highway 43.

On State Highway 3 New Plymouth is 39 km (24 mi) north, Inglewood 21 km (13 mi) north, Eltham 11 km (6.8 mi) south and Hāwera 30 km (19 mi) south.

On State Highway 43 Taumarunui is 146 km (91 mi) to the east. This road is known as "The Forgotten World Highway", due to the scarcity of settlement along the road in contrast to its earlier history. A sign reads "No Petrol for 150 km (93 mi)".

Stratford railway station is the junction of the Marton–New Plymouth and Stratford–Okahukura lines.

## Population

[edit]

Stratford is a rural service centre, serving the agricultural economy of its wider hinterland.

The population of the district peaked in 1961 at 11,300, and until the end of the century the town fluctuated between 5229 (2001) and 5664 (1996). The 21st century has seen significant economic growth and some associated population growth in the town.

Stratford covers 8.90 km2 (3.44 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 6,320 as of June 2023,[2] with a population density of 710 people per km2.

Historical populationYear| Pop.| ±% p.a.

|
|

2006| 5,337| —
2013| 5,469| +0.35%
2018| 5,784| +1.13%
Source: [6]

Before the 2023 census, the town had a smaller boundary, covering 8.54 km2 (3.30 sq mi).[1] Using that boundary, Stratford had a population of 5,784 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 315 people (5.8%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 447 people (8.4%) since the 2006 census. There were 2,322 households, comprising 2,811 males and 2,979 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.94 males per female, with 1,206 people (20.9%) aged under 15 years, 981 (17.0%) aged 15 to 29, 2,361 (40.8%) aged 30 to 64, and 1,230 (21.3%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 89.1% European/Pākehā, 17.1% Māori, 1.6% Pacific peoples, 3.5% Asian, and 1.1% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 10.2, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 48.9% had no religion, 38.6% were Christian, 0.6% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.6% were Hindu, 0.1% were Muslim, 0.4% were Buddhist and 1.6% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 387 (8.5%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 1,395 (30.5%) people had no formal qualifications. 459 people (10.0%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 1,980 (43.3%) people were employed full-time, 582 (12.7%) were part-time, and 201 (4.4%) were unemployed.[6]

Individual statistical areas in 2018  Name | Area
(km2) | Population | Density
(per km2) | Households | Median age | Median
income

|
|
|
|
|
|

Stratford North | 3.29 | 1,941 | 590 | 756 | 41.4 years | $27,900[7]
Stratford Central | 2.53 | 2,061 | 815 | 873 | 42.0 years | $26,100[8]
Stratford South | 2.72 | 1,782 | 655 | 693 | 38.2 years | $23,600[9]
New Zealand |  |  |  |  | 37.4 years | $31,800

## History and culture

[edit]

### Whakaahurangi

[edit]

The Māori name for Stratford is Whakaahurangi, meaning to look to the sky. The name is taken from a story of the Ngati Ruanui chieftainess/Puhi Ariki named Rua-pū-tahanga who fled her husband Whatihua from Waikato, travelling the track known as Te ara tapu o Ruaputahanga which stretches from Urenui down through Tariki, and ends near Patea. Here she stopped at the side of the Kahouri river near a fresh water spring. It is said she sat distraught and cried into the spring, naming it Te Puna Roimata o Ruaputahanga (The spring of Rua-pū-tahanga's tears), then camped overnight 3 km (1.9 mi) east of the current town. Being a clear night, Rua-pū-tahanga lay contemplating the stars when slumber overtook her. Withdrawing in respect, her followers observed that their chieftainess slept "with her face to the sky". The site continued to be used as a camping place for Māori, the track she followed linking the south Taranaki tribes to those in north Taranaki, and further north to Kawhia. Each travelling party would recollect the story of Rua-pū-tahanga sleeping with her face to the sky.[10] The name is fitting, given the exposure of the area to a broad horizon on the face of the mountain's ring plain.

Whakaahurangi Marae, a marae (meeting ground) of the Ngāti Ruanui tribe and its Ahitahi sub-tribe, is located in Stratford. It includes a wharenui (meeting house), known as Te Whetū o Marama.[11][12]

### Surveying

[edit]

There is no record of Māori settlement in the vicinity of Stratford. Before British settlement the area was covered in dense forest and swamp. The Vogel schemes of the 1870s provided the necessary impetus to lead to the construction of a railway line south of New Plymouth, and the creation of road access at the same time, to open up access to the rich soils under the mountain.

In 1876, Taranaki Waste Lands Board assistant surveyor Edwin Stanley Brookes, Jnr. cut a meridian line from Waitara to the site of Stratford, and oversaw the subdivision of a block between the Manganui River and the Pātea River. The surveying of a new site for a town on the banks of the Pātea River was authorised on 11 June 1877, and the northern half of the town (above the Pātea River) was laid out by William Skinner in July. More lots were laid out by Peter Cheal in 1879, and in 1880 Skinner was directed to survey the southern half of the town.

### Naming

[edit]

Stratford clock tower "glockenspiel"

On 3 December 1877, the name Stratford-upon-Patea was adopted, on the motion of William Crompton of the Taranaki Waste Lands Board. The supposed similarity of the Pātea River to the River Avon in England led to the adoption of this name, and Crompton was known to have a literary turn of mind. There was a trend at the time to name towns after the birthplace of prominent British men. The William Shakespeare 'connection' led to the naming of 67 streets after Shakespearian characters from 27 of his plays.

Today New Zealand's only glockenspiel clock tower plays the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet three times a day. The spoken words are provided via external loudspeakers - there is no carillon (multiple bells) as would be more typical for glockenspiels in towers.

### Settlement and growth

[edit]

Stratford was formally classified as a town in June 1878, and on 31 August 1878 an auction of 455 sections saw the first sections sold. By 1881 the population was 97, comprising 56 males and 41 females, with 22 houses. By 1891 this had grown to a population of 342 and by 1896 1,256. This growth continued steadily until the mid-late 20th century, and has since fluctuated between 5229 (2001) and 5664 (1996), numbering 5,337 at the last census.

### Institutional history

[edit]

The first Stratford Town Board was formed in 1882. The Stratford County Council was formed in 1890, and the Stratford Borough Council was formed on 22 July 1898. In the same year, Stratford became the third town in New Zealand to have electric street lighting, on the initiative of inventor and entrepreneur Alexander Walker Reid.[13] The county and borough councils amalgamated on 1 April 1989 to form the Stratford District Council, which was reconstituted on 1 November 1989 as part of the nationwide restructure in local government.

### Historic building

[edit]

The Kings Theatre was given Category I status by Heritage New Zealand in 2024.[14]

## Schools

[edit]

There are two secondary schools in Stratford:

* Stratford High School is a coeducational secondary (years 9-13) school with a roll of 593.[15] The school was founded in 1897[16] and celebrated its centenary in 1997.[17]
* Taranaki Diocesan School for Girls is a state integrated Anglican girls' secondary (years 9-13) school with a roll of 128.[18] The school was founded in 1914 and moved to its present site in 1917.[19] Most of the students are boarders.[20] The school's name changed from St Mary's Diocesan School in 2018.[21]

There are three primary schools within Stratford township:

* Stratford Primary School has a roll of 435.[22] The school was founded in 1882 and celebrated 125 years in 2007.[23]
* Avon School has a roll of 64.[24]
* St Joseph's School is a state integrated Catholic school with a roll of 174.[25]

All these primary schools are coeducational and accept students for years 1–8. Rolls are as of August 2024.[26]

## Parks and reserves

[edit]

Stratford has a number of public parks and reserves, with names reflecting its English and Māori heritage;

* King Edward Park
* Victoria Park
* Windsor Park
* Kopuatama Cemetery

## Born or lived in Stratford

[edit]

### Sportspeople

[edit]

* Mark "Bull" Allen (31 July 1967), All Black, TV host
* Lisa Allpress (born 20 May, 1975), female jockey[27]
* Christine Arthur (26 August 1963), New Zealand field hockey player
* Arthur Collins (1906–1988), All Black
* John Graham (1 January 1935), All Black, NZRU president, NZ cricket team manager, Auckland University Chancellor, Auckland Grammar School headmaster, businessman
* Stan Lay (1906–2003) Olympic Javelin thrower (born in New Plymouth)
* Dave Loveridge (born 22 April 1952), former All Black
* John McCullough (8 January 1936), All Black
* Lane Penn, representative rugby footballer, coach, All Black selector and NZRU President
* Mark Robinson (born 17 January 1974), former All Black and current NZ Rugby CEO
* Ned Shewry (1889–1962), world champion woodchopper
* Alan Smith (10 December 1942), All Black
* Jeremiah Trueman (born 19 May 1987), New Zealand national basketball representative

### Literature, art and culture

[edit]

* Sylvia Ashton-Warner (1908–1984), novelist, autobiographer and educational pioneer
* Michael Hight (1961), artist - painter
* Michele Leggott (1956), poet and literary scholar
* Dominic Sheehan, author of Finding Home, a novel that illustrates growing up in Stratford[28]
* Cheryll Sotheran (1945-2017), founder of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

### Medicine

[edit]

* John Daniel Bergin (17 January 1921 – 22 July 1995), Distinguished physician and neurologist, Catholic pro-life apologist
* Mel Brieseman, missionary to India, Canterbury Medical Officer of Health
* Doris Gordon (10 July 1890 – 9 July 1956), doctor and obstetrician
* Graham Gordon (10 December 1927 – 29 February 2004), Surgeon, St John's officer, NZMA Council Chairman (1977–1988) and NZMA President (1990–1991)

### Law, government and politics

[edit]

* Peter Gordon (1921 – 1991), National Party politician
* David Thomson (1915–1999), Minister of Defence and Minister of Justice in the Third National Government of New Zealand
* Venn Young (1929–1993), Cabinet minister in the Muldoon National Government and homosexual rights activist

### Academics

[edit]

* Alice Copping (14 May 1906 – 21 August 1982), Senior lecturer in nutrition, Queen Elizabeth College, University of London
* Dr Alan Kirton (1933 - 2001), agricultural scientist
* Jack Tizard (1919-1979) Professor of Child Development, University of London. CBE

### Other

[edit]

* Brian Davis, (1934–1998), Archbishop of New Zealand
* Emily Stevens (3 September 1900 – 8 August 1967), wholesale florist, nurserywoman, iris hybridiser
* Paula Parore, The Voice Australia 2012 & 2015 NZ National Anthem Singer All Blacks in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth[29]

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ a b c "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
2. ^ a b "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)
3. ^ "Stratford climate: Temperature & weather by month". Climate data. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
4. ^ "CliFlo – National Climate Database : Stratford Ews". NIWA. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
5. ^ "CliFlo -The National Climate Database (Agent numbers: 3532, 23872)". NIWA. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
6. ^ a b "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Stratford North (220100), Stratford Central (220300) and Stratford South (220400).
7. ^ 2018 Census place summary: Stratford North
8. ^ 2018 Census place summary: Stratford Central
9. ^ 2018 Census place summary: Stratford South
10. ^ Gordon, W.F., Battersby, J.H., Richards, J.B., Kennedy, W.L., and Kelly, C.S.. Carved from the Bush: Stratford 1878-1928. 1928.
11. ^ "Te Kāhui Māngai directory". tkm.govt.nz. Te Puni Kōkiri.
12. ^ "Māori Maps". maorimaps.com. Te Potiki National Trust.
13. ^ Donald, Mary. "Alexander Walker Reid". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
14. ^ Ilona Hanne (26 May 2024). "Stratford's 'Grand Old Lady' claims her heritage crown". NZ Herald. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
15. ^ Education Counts: Stratford High School
16. ^ "Home Page". Stratford High School.
17. ^ "Stratford High School". Education Gazette New Zealand. 76 (4). 10 March 1997. [dead link]
18. ^ Education Counts: Taranki Diocesan School
19. ^ "Our Story". Taranaki Diocesan School.
20. ^ "Boarding at Taranaki Dio". Taranaki Diocesan School.
21. ^ Ilona Hanne (26 May 2024). "New name and logo for St Mary's Diocesan School". NZ Herald. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
22. ^ Education Counts: Stratford Primary School
23. ^ "Stratford Primary School". Education Gazette New Zealand. 86 (1). 5 February 2007. [dead link]
24. ^ Education Counts: Avon School
25. ^ Education Counts: St Joseph's School
26. ^ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
27. ^ "2024ワールドオールスタージョッキーズ出場外国騎手プロフィール" (PDF) (Press release) (in Japanese). Japan Racing Association. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
28. ^ "Past Winners". New Zealand Book Awards. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
29. ^ Venter, Erika (4 July 2012). "Stratford mum finds voice in Oz". Stratford Press.

## References

[edit]

* The Stratford Inheritance by Ian Church, 1990, Heritage Press Ltd, Waikanae, New Zealand: ISBN 0-908708-17-3
* Stratford: Shakespearean Town Under the Mountain by David Walter, 2005, Dunmore Publishing, Wellington, New Zealand: ISBN 1-877399-05-1

## External links

[edit]

* Venture Taranaki (tourism information)
* Stratford District Council
* Stratford in the Encyclopaedia of New Zealand

* v
* t
* e

Local government in New Zealand

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|

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Regional councils|

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Other councils|

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Related organisations|

* Local Government Commission
* Local Government New Zealand

Authorities in italics are unitary authorities

* v
* t
* e

Stratford District, New Zealand

Administrative centre: Stratford

Populated places|

* Cardiff
* Douglas
* Huiakama
* Huiroa
* Makahu
* Manganui
* Marco
* Midhirst
* Ngaere
* Pembroke
* Stratford
* Strathmore
* Tahora
* Te Popo
* Toko
* Tututawa
* Waipuku
* Whangamōmona

Geographic features|

* Makuri Stream
* Mount Damper Falls
* Patea River

Facilities and attractions|

* Stratford–Okahukura Railway Line
* Stratford Power Station

Government|

* District Council
* Mayor
* Regional Council

Organisations|

* Stratford High School
* Toko School
* Taranaki Diocesan School for Girls

*[Pop.]: Population
*[±% p.a.]: Per annum growth rate
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