Paihia

Town in Northland Region, New Zealand

Place in Northland Region, New Zealand

Paihia

Williams Road

Coordinates: 35°16′56″S 174°5′28″E﻿ / ﻿35.28222°S 174.09111°E﻿ / -35.28222; 174.09111
Country| New Zealand
Region| Northland Region
District| Far North District
Ward| Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Ward
Community| Bay of Islands-Whangaroa
Subdivision| Paihia
Electorates|

* Northland
* Te Tai Tokerau

Government

• Territorial Authority| Far North District Council
• Regional council| Northland Regional Council
• Mayor of Far North| Moko Tepania
• Northland MP| Grant McCallum
• Te Tai Tokerau MP| Mariameno Kapa-Kingi
Area

[1]

• Total

| 2.24 km2 (0.86 sq mi)
Population

(June 2024)[2]

• Total

| 1,690
• Density| 750/km2 (2,000/sq mi)
Postcode(s)|

0200

A view of Paihia from the ferry to Russell

Paihia is the main tourist town in the Bay of Islands in the Northland Region of the North Island of New Zealand. It is 60 kilometres north of Whangārei, located close to the historic towns of Russell and Kerikeri. Missionary Henry Williams named the mission station Marsden's Vale.[3][4] Paihia eventually became the accepted name of the settlement.

Nearby to the north is the historic settlement of Waitangi, and the residential and commercial area of Haruru Falls is to the west. The port and township of Opua, and the small settlement of Te Haumi, lie to the south.

## History and culture

[edit]

### Origin of the Name

[edit]

The origin of the name "Paihia" is unclear. A popular attribution, most likely apocryphal, is that when Reverend Henry Williams first arrived in the Bay of Islands searching for a location for his mission station, he told his Māori guide, "Pai here," meaning "Good here," as his Māori vocabulary was limited.[5][6]

### European settlement

[edit]

Circa 1860s watercolour of Paihia by Mrs Woods St. Paul's Anglican Church, built in 1925

Henry Williams[4] and his wife Marianne[3] settled in Paihia in 1823 and built the first church there the same year. William Williams and his wife Jane joined the Paihia mission in 1826.[4] Bishop William Grant Broughton (the first and only Bishop of Australia) visited the Paihia mission in 1838 and performed several firsts in New Zealand including the first Confirmation and Ordination ceremonies.[7]

Herald was a 55-ton schooner that the missionaries built and launched off the beach at Paihia on 24 January 1826.[8][9][10]

In December 1832 the first mention of cricket being played in New Zealand was recorded by Henry Williams.[11] In 1835 a game of cricket was witnessed here by Charles Darwin,[12][13] in December 1835 while the Beagle spent 10 days in the Bay of Islands.[14][15]

In 1835 William Colenso set up the first printing press in New Zealand at Paihia.

In 1850 the mission closed and Paihia declined to a very small settlement by 1890.[16]

### 20th century

[edit]

St. Paul's Anglican Church, completed in 1925, is the fifth church built on the site. It is constructed of stone quarried from the Pukaru locality, near Kawakawa, and timber from near Waikare.[17] The triptych stained glass windows above the pulpit were commissioned by the Williams Family Trust in commemoration of Sir Nigel Reed for the 175 year family reunion and installed by the artist in 1998. The windows, titled Te Ara O Te Manawa (Pathway of the Heart), are 4 m2 in total size.

In 1925 a road was constructed to Puketona[18] on the main road from Kawakawa to Kerikeri (now State Highway 10) leading to an increase in tourism in the 1930s.[16]

## Demographics

[edit]

Ferry terminal and highway

Paihia covers 2.24 km2 (0.86 sq mi) extending from the Waitangi River in the north to the Haumi River in the south[1] and had an estimated population of 1,690 as of June 2024,[19] with a population density of 754 people per km2.

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

|
|

2006| 1,299| —
2013| 1,290| −0.10%
2018| 1,512| +3.23%
2023| 1,623| +1.43%
Source: [20][21]

Paihia had a population of 1,623 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 111 people (7.3%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 333 people (25.8%) since the 2013 census. There were 825 males, 792 females and 3 people of other genders in 753 dwellings.[22] 3.0% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 51.0 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 189 people (11.6%) aged under 15 years, 234 (14.4%) aged 15 to 29, 738 (45.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 456 (28.1%) aged 65 or older.[21]

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 66.7% European (Pākehā); 35.1% Māori; 6.5% Pasifika; 7.9% Asian; 1.5% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 1.7% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 97.4%, Māori language by 11.5%, Samoan by 0.6% and other languages by 11.8%. No language could be spoken by 1.3% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.6%. The percentage of people born overseas was 26.8, compared with 28.8% nationally.

Religious affiliations were 32.9% Christian, 0.7% Hindu, 0.6% Islam, 3.5% Māori religious beliefs, 1.3% Buddhist, 0.2% New Age, and 2.6% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 52.3%, and 5.7% of people did not answer the census question.

Of those at least 15 years old, 174 (12.1%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 744 (51.9%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 450 (31.4%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $35,100, compared with $41,500 nationally. 111 people (7.7%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 630 (43.9%) people were employed full-time, 210 (14.6%) were part-time, and 48 (3.3%) were unemployed.[21]

## Marae

[edit]

Te Tii Waitangi marae and Te Tiriti o Waitangi meeting house in Te Tī Bay at the northern end of Paihia are affiliated with the Ngāpuhi hapū of Ngāti Kawa and Ngāti Rāhiri.[23][24] In October 2020, the Government committed $66,234 from the Provincial Growth Fund to replacing all roofs at the marae.[25]

## Education

[edit]

Paihia School is a coeducational full primary (years 1–8) school with a roll of 153 students as of August 2024.[26][27]

## Climate

[edit]

Köppen-Geiger climate classification system classifies its climate as oceanic (Cfb),[28] but it is rainier in winter. It has strong subtropical influence and is classified as such under the Trewartha system due to its consistent warm temperatures, and is the mildest weather station in New Zealand.

Climate data for Paihia (Waitangi Forest) (1991–2020)

Month  | Jan  | Feb  | Mar  | Apr  | May  | Jun  | Jul  | Aug  | Sep  | Oct  | Nov  | Dec  | Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)  | 24.2
(75.6)  | 24.3
(75.7)  | 23.1
(73.6)  | 20.7
(69.3)  | 18.8
(65.8)  | 16.6
(61.9)  | 15.9
(60.6)  | 16.1
(61.0)  | 17.7
(63.9)  | 19.1
(66.4)  | 20.4
(68.7)  | 22.8
(73.0)  | 20.0
(68.0)
Daily mean °C (°F)  | 19.4
(66.9)  | 20.0
(68.0)  | 18.7
(65.7)  | 16.5
(61.7)  | 14.8
(58.6)  | 12.3
(54.1)  | 11.6
(52.9)  | 12.0
(53.6)  | 13.4
(56.1)  | 14.5
(58.1)  | 15.9
(60.6)  | 18.2
(64.8)  | 15.6
(60.1)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)  | 14.7
(58.5)  | 15.8
(60.4)  | 14.3
(57.7)  | 12.3
(54.1)  | 10.8
(51.4)  | 7.9
(46.2)  | 7.2
(45.0)  | 7.8
(46.0)  | 9.0
(48.2)  | 10.0
(50.0)  | 11.4
(52.5)  | 13.6
(56.5)  | 11.2
(52.2)
Average rainfall mm (inches)  | 84.9
(3.34)  | 125.5
(4.94)  | 169.4
(6.67)  | 120.7
(4.75)  | 95.3
(3.75)  | 140.3
(5.52)  | 134.5
(5.30)  | 119.1
(4.69)  | 133.5
(5.26)  | 115.4
(4.54)  | 97.6
(3.84)  | 88.0
(3.46)  | 1,424.2
(56.06)
Mean monthly sunshine hours | 229.4  | 176.8  | 163.5  | 148.4  | 145.6  | 112.9  | 142.5  | 142.2  | 161.5  | 206.8  | 174.6  | 199.9  | 2,004.1
Source: NIWA[29]

Taiputuputu Pahi Beach looking north toward Paihia wharf and Motumarie

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ a b "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
2. ^ "Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
3. ^ a b Caroline Fitzgerald (2004). Letters from the Bay of Islands. Penguin Books, New Zealand. ISBN 0-14-301929-5.
4. ^ a b c Caroline Fitzgerald (2011). Te Wiremu - Henry Williams: Early Years in the North. Huia Press. ISBN 978-1-86969-439-5.
5. ^ "New Zealand History - Paihia".
6. ^ "New Zealand Tourism Guide - Paihia History".
7. ^ Wises New Zealand Guide, 7th Edition, 1979. p.331
8. ^ Fitzgerald, Caroline (2011). Te Wiremu: Henry Williams – Early Years in the North. Huia Publishers, New Zealand. pp. 65–66. ISBN 978-1-86969-439-5.
9. ^ Fitzgerald, Caroline (2004). Marianne Williams: Letters from the Bay of Islands. Penguin Books, New Zealand. pp. 97–99. ISBN 0-14-301929-5.
10. ^ McLean, Gavin (20 July 2015). "Launching the Herald". 'Shipbuilding - The wooden era', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
11. ^ "New Zealand Cricket Team". SuperSport. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016.
12. ^ Todd, S. (1976) Sporting Records of New Zealand. Auckland: Moa Publications. ISBN 0-908570-00-7
13. ^ "Beginnings". teara.govt.nz.
14. ^ Charles Darwin, Journal of a Voyage Round the World, 1831-36
15. ^ Caroline Fitzgerald, (2011) Te Wiremu - Henry Williams: Early Years in the North p. 219-230
16. ^ a b "7. Paihia and Waitangi – Northland places – Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand". teara.govt.nz.
17. ^ "St Paul's Anglican Church, Paihia, Bay of Islands". Anglican Diocese of Auckland. Archived from the original on 24 May 2010.
18. ^ "Thumbnail History of Paihia - as a time-line". paihia.co.nz. Archived from the original on 13 April 2013.
19. ^ "Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
20. ^ "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Paihia (103900). 2018 Census place summary: Paihia
21. ^ a b c "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Paihia (1032). Retrieved 3 October 2024.
22. ^ "Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
23. ^ "Te Tii Waitangi". Māori Maps. Te Potiki National Trust.
24. ^ "Ngāpuhi". Te Kāhui Māngai. Te Puni Kōkiri.
25. ^ "Marae Announcements" (Excel). growregions.govt.nz. Provincial Growth Fund. 9 October 2020.
26. ^ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
27. ^ Education Counts: Paihia School
28. ^ "Climate: Paihia - Climate graph, Temperature graph, Climate table". Climate-Data.org. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
29. ^ "CliFlo – National Climate Database : Waitangi Forest". NIWA. Retrieved 20 May 2024.

## External links

[edit]

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Paihia.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Paihia.

* Paihia - Jewel of the Bay of Islands (History - A Time Line)
* Paihia map
* Paihia School website

Authority control databases

International|

* VIAF

National|

* United States
* Israel

* v
* t
* e

Far North District, New Zealand

Seat: Kaikohe

Populated places|

| Te Hiku|

* Ahipara
* Awanui
* Henderson Bay
* Herekino
* Hihi
* Houhora
* Kaimaumau
* Kaingaroa
* Kaitaia
* Karikari Peninsula
* Ngataki
* Ninety Mile Beach
* Oruaiti
* Oruru-Parapara
* Pamapuria
* Paparore
* Parengarenga Harbour
* Peria
* Piwhane / Spirits Bay
* Pukenui
* Pukepoto
* Taipa-Mangonui

* Taipa
* Cable Bay
* Coopers Beach
* Mangōnui

* Takahue
* Te Hāpua
* Te Kao
* Tokerau Beach
* Unahi
* Waiharara
* Waimahana Bay
* Waipapakauri
* Waitiki Landing
* Whatuwhiwhi
* Whangape

|

Bay of Islands/Whangaroa|

* Cape Brett Peninsula
* Haruru
* Kaeo
* Kapiro
* Karetu
* Kawakawa
* Kerikeri
* Kerikeri Inlet
* Lake Manuwai
* Matauri Bay
* Maromaku
* Moerewa
* Motatau
* Okiato
* Oromahoe
* Opua
* Otiria
* Paihia
* Pakaraka
* Puketona
* Puketotara
* Purerua
* Rangihoua Bay
* Rangitane
* Rawhiti
* Russell
* Tākou Bay
* Saies
* Taronui Bay
* Taumarere
* Taupō Bay
* Te Haumi
* Te Tii
* Totara North
* Towai
* Waikare
* Waipapa
* Waitangi
* Waitaruke
* Whangaroa

Kaikohe/Hokianga|

* Broadwood
* Horeke
* Kaikohe
* Kohukohu
* Mangamuka
* Matihetihe
* Mitimiti
* Ngawha Springs
* Ōhaeawai
* Ōkaihau
* Omanaia
* Ōmāpere
* Opononi
* Ōtaua
* Panguru
* Pawarenga
* Rangiahua
* Rawene
* Tautoro
* Umawera
* Waimā
* Waimate North
* Whirinaki

Geographic features|

| Bays|

* Doubtless
* Great Exhibition
* Henderson
* Rangihoua
* Waimahana

|

Islands|

* Aroha Island
* Cavalli Islands
* Simmonds Islands
* Motukawanui Island
* Motukokako / Piercy Island
* Urupukapuka Island

Lakes|

* Big
* Bulrush Lake
* Half
* Half Mile Lagoon
* Heather
* Kaiwai
* Kihona
* Manuwai
* Morehurehu
* Ngakapua
* Ngakeketa
* Ngatu
* Lake Ōmāpere
* Owhareiti
* Puhau
* Rotokawau (Aupōuri)
* Rotokawau (Karikari)
* Rotokereru
* Rotomata
* Rotopokaka
* Rotoroa
* Salt
* Split
* Swan
* Taeore
* Tairutu
* Tauanui
* Te Kahika
* Wahakari
* Waihopo
* Waikanae
* Waikaramu
* Waimimiha
* Waingaro
* Waiparera
* Waiporohita
* Waitahora
* Whirirau

Landforms|

* Aupōuri Peninsula
* Cape Brett Peninsula
* Cape Maria van Diemen
* Cape Reinga / Te Rerenga Wairua
* Horeke basalts
* Kaikohe-Bay of Islands volcanic field
* Kaikohe Hill
* Kaimaumau wetland
* Karikari Peninsula
* Maungataniwha Range
* Maungaturoto
* Ngawha geothermal field
* North Cape
* Purerua Peninsula
* Parengarenga Harbour
* Rainbow Falls / Waianiwaniwa
* Runaruna Mud Volcano
* Tarahi
* Te Paki Sand Dunes
* Te Puke
* Whangape Harbour
* Whangaroa Harbour

Facilities and attractions|

* Bay of Islands Vintage Railway
* Butler Point Whaling Museum
* Cape Brett Lighthouse
* Cape Reinga Lighthouse
* Christ Church, Russell
* Eagles Nest
* Excitor
* Kaikohe Aerodrome
* Kerikeri Airport
* Māngungu Mission
* Mission House
* Okaihau Railway Branch
* Opua Railway Branch
* RNZAF Station Waipapakauri
* Pompallier House
* St. James Church
* Stone Store
* Tāne Mahuta
* Treaty House
* Wairere Boulders
* Waitangi Treaty Monument

Government|

* District Council
* Mayor
* Regional Council

Organisations|

* Muriwhenua
* Ngāi Takoto
* Northland College

History|

* Arthur's Stone
* Battle of Ohaeawai
* Boyd massacre
* Dog Tax War
* Opo the dolphin
* Te Waimate mission

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