Hari Hari

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Town in the West Coast Region of New Zealand

title: "Hari Hari" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["westland-district", "populated-places-in-the-west-coast-region"] description: "Town in the West Coast Region of New Zealand" topic_path: "general/westland-district" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hari_Hari" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Town in the West Coast Region of New Zealand ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox settlement"]

Field	Value
name	Hari Hari
image_skyline	Hendes Ferry Cottage MRD.jpg
image_caption	Hende's Ferry Cottage, a historic building by the bank of the Wanganui River in Hari Hari
area_total_km2	50.43
area_footnotes
population_footnotes
population_as_of
population_total
population_density_km2	auto
subdivision_type	Country
subdivision_name	New Zealand
subdivision_type1	Region
subdivision_name1	West Coast
subdivision_type2	District
subdivision_name2	Westland District
subdivision_type3	Ward
subdivision_name3	Southern
seat_type	Electorates
seat
leader_title	Territorial Authority
leader_name	Westland District Council
leader_title1	Regional council
leader_name1	West Coast Regional Council
leader_title2	Mayor of Westland
leader_name2
leader_title3	West Coast-Tasman MP
leader_name3
leader_title4	Te Tai Tonga MP
leader_name4
timezone	NZST
utc_offset	+12
timezone_DST	NZDT
utc_offset_DST	+13
postal_code_type	Postcode
postal_code	7884
area_code	03
mapframe	yes
mapframe-zoom	9
coordinates
blank_name	Local iwi
blank_info	Ngāi Tahu
::

Hari Hari (sometimes spelled Harihari) is a small rural settlement in the south west of the West Coast region of New Zealand's South Island. It is slightly inland from the Tasman Sea and the Saltwater Lagoon and is situated between the Wanganui and Poerua Rivers, 45 minutes south of the tourist town of Hokitika. passes through the town on its route from Ross to the Franz Josef Glacier. The Westland District's largest town, Greymouth is 110 km, and Hokitika 70 km to the north-east. Ross is 46 km to the north-east, and Franz Josef is 61.4 km south west.

Hari Hari was once a logging settlement and relics of a bush tramway that used to carry timber can be found in the area. Today, the forest in the area is protected and popular activities in the Hari Hari area include bushwalking, birdwatching, and trout and salmon fishing.

The Inter-Wanganui Co-op opened a dairy factory at Hari Hari in 1908, but it is now a ruin.

Hari Hari's main claim to fame occurred on 7 January 1931, when Australian aviator Guy Menzies landed upside down in a swamp near Hari Hari, completing the first solo flight across the Tasman Sea. Menzies, who had left Sydney 11 hours and 45 minutes earlier, was aiming for Blenheim but had been blown off course and mistook a swamp for flat pasture suitable for landing. Despite the accident, he was unharmed. On 7 January 2006, the 75th anniversary celebrations of the feat were held in Hari Hari, with roughly 400 people in attendance. To mark the occasion, Dick Smith recreated Guy Menzies' flight, though Smith chose to land upright in Hari Hari.

Local name change controversy

The name Hari Hari, has a Māori meaning, from Te Aka Māori/English Dictionary, as "to take/carry joy" or, as local legend suggests, "come together in unison" from a Māori canoe paddling chant/song. Williams' dictionary gives "Harihari" as the correct spelling for that meaning. while Te Aka online Maori Dictionary states "Harihari" (one word) can mean a medium sized clam. Also, "waka harihari tūroro", has the meaning of "ambulance" (according to the Te Aka Dictionary). In recent years, Hari Hari has been increasingly referred to as "Harihari". No official statutory process has taken place in order for this to happen.

Many local residents are upset about the growing number of official websites, and official documentation, referring to Hari Hari as being "Harihari". The greater community insists that they were not informed or talked to about this matter, and are against the gradual unofficial change. Some are being active about keeping their town's name the same, and have involved the Department of Māori Affairs about the tampering with of a traditional Māori place name. Town signs around Hari Hari still state the name is Hari Hari. One newly placed town distance sign in Whataroa shows the name "Harihari".

The town was named Hari Hari in September, 1908, when a post office was needed for the township. Local historian, Vic Berry writes about this, with a photo, in his popular West Coast book. "Goa Way back- Early Hari Hari". Although, there is one record of the town being named "Harihari" in 1955. There are conficting sources of information in relation to the original name, to this day. Thought to be caused by surveyors, over the decades. the office was opened on 18 September 1908.

Demographics

Hari Hari is described by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement and covers 50.43 km2. It had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km2. The settlement is part of the larger Whataroa-Harihari statistical area.

Hari Hari had a population of 240 at the 2018 New Zealand census, a decrease of 3 people (−1.2%) since the 2013 census, and a decrease of 24 people (−9.1%) since the 2006 census. There were 105 households, comprising 123 males and 120 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.02 males per female, with 42 people (17.5%) aged under 15 years, 33 (13.8%) aged 15 to 29, 117 (48.8%) aged 30 to 64, and 48 (20.0%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 91.2% European/Pākehā, 10.0% Māori, 2.5% Pasifika, 2.5% Asian, and 2.5% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 53.8% had no religion, 30.0% were Christian and 2.5% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 24 (12.1%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 63 (31.8%) people had no formal qualifications. 15 people (7.6%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 90 (45.5%) people were employed full-time, 39 (19.7%) were part-time, and 3 (1.5%) were unemployed.

Whataroa-Harihari statistical area

Whataroa-Harihari statistical area, which also includes Whataroa, covers 1136.25 km2 and had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km2.

Whataroa-Harihari had a population of 642 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 30 people (4.9%) since the 2013 census, and a decrease of 111 people (−14.7%) since the 2006 census. There were 276 households, comprising 348 males and 297 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.17 males per female. The median age was 40.7 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 147 people (22.9%) aged under 15 years, 96 (15.0%) aged 15 to 29, 300 (46.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 102 (15.9%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 87.4% European/Pākehā, 13.1% Māori, 5.6% Pasifika, 2.8% Asian, and 3.3% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 11.7, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 51.9% had no religion, 35.5% were Christian, 0.5% were Buddhist and 2.3% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 57 (11.5%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 129 (26.1%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $31,400, compared with $31,800 nationally. 57 people (11.5%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 276 (55.8%) people were employed full-time, 84 (17.0%) were part-time, and 12 (2.4%) were unemployed.

Education

South Westland Area School is a coeducational composite school (years 1–15), with a roll of students as of It opened in 1969, replacing Hari Hari School which had existed since 1865. The school has a satellite class at Franz Josef Glacier School.

There is also a University of Canterbury Field Station, "The Green Elephant".

Climate

|metric first=y |single line=y |collapsed = Y |location = Hari Hari (1971–2000) |Jan high C = 20.4 |Feb high C = 21.2 |Mar high C = 19.9 |Apr high C = 17.5 |May high C = 15.0 |Jun high C = 12.7 |Jul high C = 12.5 |Aug high C = 13.3 |Sep high C = 14.3 |Oct high C = 15.7 |Nov high C = 17.0 |Dec high C = 19.2 | year high C = |Jan mean C = 15.6 |Feb mean C = 16.0 |Mar mean C = 14.6 |Apr mean C = 12.1 |May mean C = 9.2 |Jun mean C = 6.7 |Jul mean C = 6.4 |Aug mean C = 7.5 |Sep mean C = 9.3 |Oct mean C = 11.0 |Nov mean C = 12.4 |Dec mean C = 14.5 | year mean C = |Jan low C = 10.7 |Feb low C = 10.8 |Mar low C = 9.2 |Apr low C = 6.6 |May low C = 3.3 |Jun low C = 0.8 |Jul low C = 0.2 |Aug low C = 1.8 |Sep low C = 4.3 |Oct low C = 6.3 |Nov low C = 7.8 |Dec low C = 9.8 | year low C = |rain colour = green |Jan rain mm = 480.8 |Feb rain mm = 265.9 |Mar rain mm = 443.2 |Apr rain mm = 285.1 |May rain mm = 257.8 |Jun rain mm = 320.8 |Jul rain mm = 370.7 |Aug rain mm = 202.7 |Sep rain mm = 294.2 |Oct rain mm = 339.6 |Nov rain mm = 364.5 |Dec rain mm = 540.6 |year rain mm = |source 1 = CliFlo (rain 1981–2010) |url = http://cliflo.niwa.co.nz |title = CliFlo – National Climate Database : Harihari N.Z.F.S. |publisher = NIWA |access-date = 10 May 2024}}

References

(2004). "Reed New Zealand Atlas". Reed Books.
Roger Smith, GeographX. (2005). "The Geographic Atlas of New Zealand". Robbie Burton.
"Inter-Wanganui Co-op dairy factory opening". University of Canterbury library.
"Inter-Wanganui Co-op Dairy Co". Panoramio.
(8 January 2006). "Dick Smith recreates first solo trans-Tasman flight". [[Sydney Morning Herald]].
Williams, H. W. ''Dictionary of the Maori Language'' GP Publications Limited, Wellington, Seventh edition, 1971; 1992 reprint, p.38; "'''harihari''', n. ''Song'' to make people pull together"
Brown, Giles. (2 January 2009). "Coasters testy over township's name". [[The Press]].
"Papers Past {{!}} Newspapers {{!}} West Coast Times {{!}} 15 October 1908 {{!}} West Coast Times THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1908. THE...".
Collins, R. J. G. and Watts, C.W. (editors). ''The Postage Stamps of New Zealand, Vol. III''. The Royal Philatelic Society of New Zealand Incorporated, Wellington, New Zealand, 1955, p. 574
"ArcGIS Web Application".
{{NZ census place summary 2018. whataroa-harihari. Whataroa-Harihari
{{NZ census 2018. 7023814 and 7023815
{{NZ census 2018. Whataroa-Harihari (311900). whataroa-harihari. Whataroa-Harihari
{{TKI. 306. South Westland Area School
"Home". South Westland Area School.
(May 2006}}{{Dead link). "Supplementary Review Report: South Westland Area School". Education Review Office.
[http://www.ffc.canterbury.ac.nz/harihari/index.shtml Harihari Field Station] {{Webarchive. link. (15 February 2009 . Canterbury.ac.nz.)

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