Taharoa

---

title: "Taharoa" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["waitomo-district", "populated-places-in-waikato"] description: "Settlement in Waikato, New Zealand" topic_path: "general/waitomo-district" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taharoa" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Settlement in Waikato, New Zealand ::

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

Field	Value
	name
settlement_type	Village
image_skyline	Taharoa ironsand symbol.jpg
image_caption	The plaque below the symbol reads - The Prime Minister, the Rt Hon. N E Kirk, unveiled this symbol of co-operation between New Zealand Steel Limited and the Maori people of Taharoa to mark the official opening of the Taharoa ironsands operation on 24 November 1973.
mapframe	yes
mapframe-zoom	9
coordinates
subdivision_type	Country
subdivision_name	New Zealand
subdivision_type1	Region
subdivision_type2	District
subdivision_name1	Waikato region
subdivision_name2	Waitomo District
subdivision_type3	Ward
subdivision_name3	Waitomo Rural Ward
leader_title	Territorial Authority
leader_name	Waitomo District Council
leader_title1	Regional council
leader_name1	Waikato Regional Council
leader_title2	Mayor of Waitomo
leader_name2
leader_title3	Taranaki-King Country MP
leader_name3
leader_title4	Hauraki-Waikato MP
leader_name4
seat_type	Electorates
seat
total_type	Territorial
elevation_m	50
area_footnotes
area_total_km2	2.56
population_footnotes
population_as_of
population_total
population_density_km2	auto
postal_code_type
timezone	NZST
utc_offset	+12
timezone_DST	NZDT
utc_offset_DST	+13
::

| name = Taharoa | settlement_type = Village | image_skyline = Taharoa ironsand symbol.jpg | imagesize = | image_caption = The plaque below the symbol reads - The Prime Minister, the Rt Hon. N E Kirk, unveiled this symbol of co-operation between New Zealand Steel Limited and the Maori people of Taharoa to mark the official opening of the Taharoa ironsands operation on 24 November 1973. | motto = | mapframe = yes | mapframe-zoom = 9 | mapsize = | map_caption = | coordinates = | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = New Zealand | subdivision_type1 = Region | subdivision_type2 = District | subdivision_name1 = Waikato region | subdivision_name2 = Waitomo District | subdivision_type3 = Ward | subdivision_name3 = Waitomo Rural Ward | leader_title = Territorial Authority | leader_name = Waitomo District Council | leader_title1 = Regional council | leader_name1 = Waikato Regional Council | leader_title2 = Mayor of Waitomo | leader_name2 = | leader_title3 = Taranaki-King Country MP | leader_name3 = | leader_title4 = Hauraki-Waikato MP | leader_name4 = | seat_type = Electorates | seat = | total_type = Territorial | elevation_m = 50 | area_footnotes = | area_total_km2 = 2.56 | population_footnotes = | population_as_of = | population_total = | population_density_km2 = auto | postal_code_type = | postal_code = | area_code = | website = | timezone = NZST | utc_offset = +12 | timezone_DST = NZDT | utc_offset_DST = +13 | coor_type = Taharoa ( or Tahāroa) is a small village on the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand, to the southwest of Kawhia Harbour and overlooking Lake Taharoa.

The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "long coast" for Tahāroa however traditional histories state that the extended name is “Te Tahaaroa a Ruaputahanga” or the “long calabash of Ruaputahanga”.

History and culture

It was at times the temporary home of the great Te Rauparaha used mainly as a battle ground on the vast expanses of sand dunes evident by the number of finds over the years, by 1822 they were being forced out of their land by stronger northern tribes. Te Rauparaha then began a fighting retreat or migration southwards, one which ended with them controlling a small part of the North Island and particularly Kapiti Island, which became the tribal stronghold.

Marae

Taharoa has two marae: Āruka Marae and Tahaaroa meeting house, and Te Kōraha Marae and Te Ōhākī meeting house. Both are affiliated with the Waikato Tainui hapū of Ngāti Mahuta ki te Hauāuru and Ngāti Rangitaka.

Iron sand mining

The main industrial activity is iron sand mining, run by New Zealand Steel, which began in 1972 was exporting about 1.4 Mt a year, mainly to Japan, with small quantities to South Korea and China. A 1993 study put reserves at 205 Mt of high concentrate and 360 Mt of lower grade sand. An $80m investment in 2014 boosted potential exports to 4 Mt a year.

In 2000 mining moved 2 km north, after the southern area was worked out. The roadway used for the move is now an airstrip. Sand from the lake is dug by a 250 tonne cutter suction dredge, a 450 tonne floating Trommel screen removes particles larger than 2.5 mm, a 1,000 tonne floating concentrator removes lighter material and the denser sand is magnetically separated.

1,375 tonnes an hour of sand was piped 2.5 km to an offshore mono-buoy, which was extended a further 500m in 2012, replaced in 2017 and is 17 m wide and weighs 250 tons. The previous buoy was 11 m wide and weighed 185 tons. The three bulk carriers used to transport the sand, Taharoa Destiny, Taharoa Providence and Taharoa Eos, require a pilot to berth at the buoy and also a support boat to move ropes and pipes.

The mine employs about 150 workers, though only 108 were recorded as working in the whole Taharoa area in the 2013 census. To house its workers, NZ Steel built 65 houses, a hall, Kōhanga Reo, school, shop, and fire and ambulance facilities in the village.

Demographics

Statistics New Zealand describes Taharoa as a rural settlement, which covers 2.56 km2. It had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km2. The settlement is part of the larger Herangi statistical area.

Taharoa had a population of 159 in the 2023 New Zealand census, a decrease of 12 people (−7.0%) since the 2018 census, and a decrease of 21 people (−11.7%) since the 2013 census. There were 81 males and 78 females in 78 dwellings. 1.9% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 31.2 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 42 people (26.4%) aged under 15 years, 36 (22.6%) aged 15 to 29, 78 (49.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 6 (3.8%) aged 65 or older.

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 18.9% European (Pākehā); 98.1% Māori; 5.7% Pasifika; and 1.9% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA). English was spoken by 100.0%, Māori by 34.0%, and other languages by 1.9%. No language could be spoken by 1.9% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 3.8%. The percentage of people born overseas was 1.9, compared with 28.8% nationally.

Religious affiliations were 39.6% Christian, 7.5% Māori religious beliefs, and 1.9% New Age. People who answered that they had no religion were 45.3%, and 7.5% of people did not answer the census question.

Of those at least 15 years old, 12 (10.3%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 78 (66.7%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 33 (28.2%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $44,300, compared with $41,500 nationally. 24 people (20.5%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 72 (61.5%) full-time, 15 (12.8%) part-time, and 6 (5.1%) unemployed.

Herangi statistical area

Herangi statistical area, which also includes Te Anga, Mahoenui, Marokopa, Mokau and Awakino, covers 1,668.25 km2 and had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km2.

Herangi had a population of 1,095 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 105 people (10.6%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 39 people (3.7%) since the 2013 census. There were 570 males and 525 females in 492 dwellings. 1.1% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 47.0 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 210 people (19.2%) aged under 15 years, 144 (13.2%) aged 15 to 29, 528 (48.2%) aged 30 to 64, and 216 (19.7%) aged 65 or older.

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 74.8% European (Pākehā); 38.4% Māori; 1.1% Pasifika; 1.1% Asian; 0.3% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 3.3% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 97.8%, Māori by 10.4%, and other languages by 3.0%. No language could be spoken by 2.2% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.8%. The percentage of people born overseas was 7.9, compared with 28.8% nationally.

Religious affiliations were 33.7% Christian, 3.0% Māori religious beliefs, 0.3% Buddhist, 0.5% New Age, and 0.3% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 55.1%, and 7.4% of people did not answer the census question.

Of those at least 15 years old, 138 (15.6%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 486 (54.9%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 264 (29.8%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $32,600, compared with $41,500 nationally. 75 people (8.5%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 423 (47.8%) full-time, 132 (14.9%) part-time, and 27 (3.1%) unemployed.

Education

Kinohaku School is a co-educational state primary school, with a roll of as of It opened in 1907.

Te Kura o Tahaaroa is a co-educational state Māori immersion school, with a roll of . It opened as Taharoa Maori Native school in 1911 and was renamed Taharoa School in 1963. In 2000, it was renamed Te Kura o Tahaaroa in 2000.

Climate

|metric first=y |single line=y |collapsed = Y |location = Port Taharoa (1991–2020) |Jan high C = 22.8 |Feb high C = 23.5 |Mar high C = 22.2 |Apr high C = 19.9 |May high C = 17.5 |Jun high C = 15.2 |Jul high C = 14.4 |Aug high C = 14.7 |Sep high C = 15.9 |Oct high C = 17.1 |Nov high C = 18.7 |Dec high C = 20.9 | year high C = |Jan mean C = 19.1 |Feb mean C = 19.7 |Mar mean C = 18.4 |Apr mean C = 16.4 |May mean C = 14.3 |Jun mean C = 12.1 |Jul mean C = 11.2 |Aug mean C = 11.5 |Sep mean C = 12.7 |Oct mean C = 14.0 |Nov mean C = 15.4 |Dec mean C = 17.6 | year mean C = |Jan low C = 15.4 |Feb low C = 16.0 |Mar low C = 14.5 |Apr low C = 12.8 |May low C = 11.0 |Jun low C = 9.0 |Jul low C = 7.9 |Aug low C = 8.3 |Sep low C = 9.5 |Oct low C = 11.0 |Nov low C = 12.1 |Dec low C = 14.3 | year low C = |rain colour = green |Jan rain mm = 64.4 |Feb rain mm = 56.6 |Mar rain mm = 68.1 |Apr rain mm = 84.1 |May rain mm = 132.2 |Jun rain mm = 145.4 |Jul rain mm = 137.2 |Aug rain mm = 134.1 |Sep rain mm = 109.1 |Oct rain mm = 85.0 |Nov rain mm = 88.9 |Dec rain mm = 124.1 |year rain mm = |source 1 = NIWA |url = http://cliflo.niwa.co.nz |title = CliFlo – National Climate Database : Port Taharoa Aws |publisher = NIWA |access-date = 20 May 2024}}

References

References

1. "Taharoa, Waikato". NZ Topo Map.
2. (6 August 2019). "1000 Māori place names". New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage.
3. "King Country places - West coast". [[Ministry for Culture and Heritage]].
4. "Māori Maps". Te Potiki National Trust.
5. Tony Christie and Bob Brathwaite. "Mineral Commodity Report 15 — Iron".
6. Donald C. Lawton & Manfred P. Hochstein. (1993). "Geophysical study of the Taharoa ironsand deposit, west coast, North Island, New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics".
7. (2014-11-11). "Huge ironsands expansion". Quarrying & Mining Magazine.
8. "Taharoa ironsand mining and ship loading".
9. "TAHAROA EXPRESS experienced a complete loss of engine power".
10. "TAHAROA BUOY - ShipSpotting.com - Ship Photos and Ship Tracker".
11. "Heavy lift made its way from Waiwhakaiho to Port Taranaki".
12. O'Connell, Tim. (13 April 2017). "Taharoa vessels Destiny and Providence taking their time in Tasman Bay".
13. (2015). "Clayton Mitchell to the Minister of Transport". NZ Parliament List of Written questions.
14. (2014-12-12). "294m ship berth shocks marine officers". [[The New Zealand Herald]].
15. Ingram, John. (May 1974). "Symposium on Taharoa ironsands project".
16. "Jobs go as part of Taharoa iron sands mine is shut down".
17. "SNZ Commuter View".
18. "Stats NZ Geographic Data Service".
19. "Geographic Boundary Viewer". Stats NZ.
20. {{NZ census 2018. 7013198
21. "Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer.
22. "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer.
23. "Stats NZ Geographic Data Service".
24. {{NZ census 2018. Herangi (187000). herangi. Herangi
25. "Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer.
26. "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer.
27. {{TKI. 1778. Kinohaku School
28. "Education Review Office Report". [[Education Review Office]].
29. Pollock, Kerryn. (1 Mar 2015). "Story: King Country places—Kinohaku".
30. {{TKI. 1971. Te Kura o Tahaaroa
31. "Education Review Office Report". [[Education Review Office]].
32. "About Us". Te Kura o Tahaaroa.

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