Paparoa

Place in Northland Region, New Zealand

Paparoa

Former National Bank of New Zealand, Paparoa, Northland (now a private residence) Listed Heritage 1 status

Coordinates: 36°5′54″S 174°14′22″E﻿ / ﻿36.09833°S 174.23944°E﻿ / -36.09833; 174.23944
Country| New Zealand
Region| Northland Region
District| Kaipara District
Ward| Otamatea Ward
Electorates|

* Northland
* Te Tai Tokerau

Government

• Territorial Authority| Kaipara District Council
• Regional council| Northland Regional Council
• Mayor of Kaipara| Craig Jepson[1]
• Northland MP| Grant McCallum[2]
• Te Tai Tokerau MP| Mariameno Kapa-Kingi[3]
Area

[4]

• Total

| 8.74 km2 (3.37 sq mi)
Population

(June 2024)[5]

• Total

| 410
• Density| 47/km2 (120/sq mi)

Paparoa is a settlement in Northland, New Zealand. The Paparoa Stream flows from the east, through the settlement, and into the Paparoa Creek to the south, which joins the Arapaoa River which is part of the Kaipara Harbour. State Highway 12 passes through Paparoa. Matakohe is 6 km to the south west, and Maungaturoto is 12 km east.[6][7]

The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "long flats" for Paparoa.[8]

## History and culture

[edit]

### European settlement

[edit]

Paparoa was one of several Kaipara settlements established by a religious group known as Albertlanders. Port Albert near Wellsford was the main settlement, and Matakohe was another.[9] They settled at the Paparoa Block in 1863. The land was burnt off so that corn and grass could be planted.[10]

A road was constructed to the port at Pahi in 1865, and one to Matakohe shortly afterwards.[11] A pottery using local clay and a factory making rope and matting from flax operated in the 1870s, and brick and tile yards were established, but their business suffered from the poor roads and high freight charges. The nearest stores were in Pahi, 6 miles (9.7 km) to the south.[12]

The steamer Minnie Casey connected Paparoa with Helensville on the south side of the Kaipara with a weekly service from 1882, and the S.S. Ethel took over from 1891–95, after which services went only to Matakohe and Pahi.[13] The network of roads in the area were improved in the 1880s and 1890s.[14]

### 20th century

[edit]

In the 1890s, Paparoa had 35 families and about 200 people, mostly living along the banks of the Paparoa River. Including Pahi, there were 400 people in the area. By 1906, the population of Paparoa had doubled.[15] Pastoral farming became established in the area, and a dairy factory was opened in Paparoa in January 1895.[16] A branch of a Helensville-based department store was operating in the town in the 1900s.[17]

The North Auckland railway line reached Huarau, to the east of Paparoa, in the early 1920s. A route through Paparoa was planned at one stage but this did not eventuate. The road to Maungaturoto, which passes through Huarau, was metalled in 1922.[18]

### Marae

[edit]

The local Ōtamatea marae and its Aotearoa wharenui are a tribal meeting place for Ngāti Whātua and Te Uri o Hau.[19][20]

## Demographics

[edit]

Statistics New Zealand describes Paparoa as a rural settlement, which covers 8.74 km2 (3.37 sq mi)[4] and had an estimated population of 410 as of June 2024,[5] with a population density of 47 people per km2. Paparoa is part of the larger Otamatea statistical area.

Historical population for PaparoaYear| Pop.| ±% p.a.

|
|

2006| 270| —
2013| 330| +2.91%
2018| 363| +1.92%
2023| 417| +2.81%
Source: [21][22]

Paparoa had a population of 417 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 54 people (14.9%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 87 people (26.4%) since the 2013 census. There were 207 males, 201 females and 9 people of other genders in 153 dwellings.[23] 2.2% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 44.2 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 81 people (19.4%) aged under 15 years, 54 (12.9%) aged 15 to 29, 186 (44.6%) aged 30 to 64, and 99 (23.7%) aged 65 or older.[22]

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 87.8% European (Pākehā); 15.8% Māori; 2.2% Pasifika; 3.6% Asian; 0.7% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 1.4% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 97.8%, Māori language by 4.3%, and other languages by 4.3%. No language could be spoken by 2.2% (e.g. too young to talk). The percentage of people born overseas was 17.3, compared with 28.8% nationally.

Religious affiliations were 47.5% Christian, 1.4% Hindu, 1.4% Buddhist, and 1.4% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 41.7%, and 6.5% of people did not answer the census question.

Of those at least 15 years old, 33 (9.8%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 189 (56.2%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 105 (31.2%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $28,600, compared with $41,500 nationally. 42 people (12.5%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 135 (40.2%) people were employed full-time, 45 (13.4%) were part-time, and 6 (1.8%) were unemployed.[22]

### Otamatea statistical area

[edit]

Otamatea statistical area includes Pahi, and surrounds but does not include Maungaturoto. It covers 244.85 km2 (94.54 sq mi)[4] and had an estimated population of 1,980 as of June 2024,[24] with a population density of 8.1 people per km2.

Historical population for Otamatea statistical areaYear| Pop.| ±% p.a.

|
|

2006| 1,407| —
2013| 1,482| +0.74%
2018| 1,713| +2.94%
2023| 1,890| +1.99%
Source: [25][22]

Otamatea had a population of 1,890 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 177 people (10.3%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 408 people (27.5%) since the 2013 census. There were 963 males, 915 females and 12 people of other genders in 765 dwellings.[26] 2.4% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 49.2 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 333 people (17.6%) aged under 15 years, 225 (11.9%) aged 15 to 29, 837 (44.3%) aged 30 to 64, and 495 (26.2%) aged 65 or older.[27]

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 90.6% European (Pākehā), 17.5% Māori, 3.0% Pasifika, 1.7% Asian, and 3.2% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 98.6%, Māori language by 3.2%, Samoan by 0.3%, and other languages by 5.1%. No language could be spoken by 1.4% (e.g. too young to talk). The percentage of people born overseas was 15.4, compared with 28.8% nationally.

Religious affiliations were 33.8% Christian, 0.6% Hindu, 0.8% Māori religious beliefs, 0.6% Buddhist, 0.8% New Age, and 1.0% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 53.5%, and 9.2% of people did not answer the census question.

Of those at least 15 years old, 165 (10.6%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 906 (58.2%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 438 (28.1%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $30,200, compared with $41,500 nationally. 105 people (6.7%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 651 (41.8%) people were employed full-time, 222 (14.3%) were part-time, and 27 (1.7%) were unemployed.[27]

## Notable people

[edit]

* Alex Tait, cricketer, born in Paparoa.[28]
* James Wright, potter, worked in Paparoa in the mid-1870s.[29]
* Lockwood Smith, politician, born in Paparoa.
* Sam Hunt, poet, lives in Paparoa.[30]

## Education

[edit]

Paparoa School is a coeducational contributing primary (years 1-6) school with a roll of 38 students as of November 2024.[31][32] The school was established in 1870,[33] and had a roll ranging from 27 to 42 students up to 1899.[34]

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ "Mayor and Councillors". Kaipara District Council. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
2. ^ "Northland – Official Result". Electoral Commission. 3 November 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
3. ^ "Te Tai Tokerau – Official Result". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
4. ^ a b c "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
5. ^ a b "Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
6. ^ Peter Dowling, ed. (2004). Reed New Zealand Atlas. Reed Books. pp. map 7. ISBN 0-7900-0952-8.
7. ^ Roger Smith, GeographX (2005). The Geographic Atlas of New Zealand. Robbie Burton. pp. map 30. ISBN 1-877333-20-4.
8. ^ "1000 Māori place names". New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage. 6 August 2019.
9. ^ Sir Henry Brett and Henry Hook (1927). The Albertlanders: Brave Pioneers of the 'Sixties. p. 234.
10. ^ Ryburn, Wayne (1999). Tall Spars, Steamers & Gum. pp. 19, 20. ISBN 0-473-06176-7.
11. ^ Ryburn, pp 35-36
12. ^ Ryburn, pp 48-49, 60
13. ^ Ryburn, p 75, 79
14. ^ Ryburn, pp 89-92
15. ^ Ryburn, pp 54, 62, 64, 69
16. ^ Ryburn, p 64
17. ^ Ryburn, p 70
18. ^ Ryburn, pp 184-185, 190
19. ^ "Te Kāhui Māngai directory". tkm.govt.nz. Te Puni Kōkiri.
20. ^ "Māori Maps". maorimaps.com. Te Potiki National Trust.
21. ^ "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. 7001058, 7001059 and 7001062.
22. ^ a b c d "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Paparoa (1059). Retrieved 3 October 2024.
23. ^ "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.
24. ^ "Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
25. ^ "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Otamatea (Kaipara District) (109500). 2018 Census place summary: Otamatea (Kaipara District)
26. ^ "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.
27. ^ a b "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Otamatea (Kaipara District) (109500). Retrieved 3 October 2024.
28. ^ "Alex Tait". Cricket Online. Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 2 March 2008.
29. ^ "Wright, James 1819 - 1887". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography.
30. ^ "Sam Hunt: The last outlaw poet". Stuff. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
31. ^ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
32. ^ Education Counts: Paparoa School
33. ^ Constance Rose Rountree, Ruth Smellie (1970). Paparoa School Centennial 1870-1970. Paparoa School Centennial Committee.
34. ^ Ryburn, pp 45, 222

* v
* t
* e

Kaipara District, New Zealand

Seat: Dargaville

Populated places|

* Aranga
* Arapohue
* Baylys Beach
* Dargaville
* Glinks Gully
* Kaihu
* Kaiwaka
* Mangawhai
* Mangawhai Heads
* Matakohe
* Maungaturoto
* Pahi
* Paparoa
* Ruawai
* Tangiteroria
* Tangowahine
* Te Kōpuru
* Tinopai
* Waipoua

Geographic features|

| Land Forms|

* Maunganui Bluff
* Tokatoka Scenic Reserve
* Pouto Peninsula

|

Rivers|

* Wairoa River
* Arapaoa River
* Awakino River
* Awaroa River
* Hakaru River
* Horahora River
* Kaiwaka River
* Mangawai River
* Otamatea River
* Pahi River
* Topuni River
* Whakaki River

Harbours & Beaches|

* Kaipara Harbour
* Mangawhai Harbour
* Pouto Peninsula
* Ripirō Beach

Forests & Reserves|

* Waipoua Forest
* Tokatoka Scenic Reserve
* Northland Conservation Park

Lakes|

* Kai Iwi Lakes Reserve
* Lake Humuhumu
* Lake Kahuparere
* Lake Kaiiwi
* Lake Kanono
* Lake Kapoai
* Lake Karaka
* Lake Karoro / Mathews
* Lake Mokeno
* Lake Otapuiti
* Lake Parawanui
* Lake Rotootuauru
* Rotopouri
* Lake Rotopouua
* Lake Rototuna
* Lake Rototuna Lower
* Lake Taharoa
* Lake Waikere
* Lake Waingata
* Lake Wainui
* Lake Wairere
* Lake Whakaneke
* Phoebes Lake
* Shag Lake

Facilities and attractions|

* Kai Iwi Lakes Reserve
* Dargaville Aerodrome
* Kauri Museum
* Trounson Kauri Park
* Tāne Mahuta
* Te Matua Ngahere
* Te Puna Mauri ō Omaru

Government|

* District Council
* Mayor
* Regional Council

History|

* Battle of Moremonui
* Dargaville Branch
* Donnellys Crossing Section
* Ruatuna

Iwi|

* Ngāti Whātua
* Ngāpuhi
* Te Roroa

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