Leigh, New Zealand

Leigh is a small coastal community in the north of the Auckland Region of New Zealand. It lies on the west side of Omaha Cove, a small inlet within Omaha Bay to the south of Cape Rodney. It is 13 km from Matakana, 21 km from Warkworth and approximately 92 km north of Auckland City.

Leigh
Fishing boats in Leigh Harbour.
Leigh
Coordinates: 36°17′33″S 174°48′13″E
CountryNew Zealand
RegionAuckland Region
Local boardRodney

Leigh is the nearest town to Cape Rodney-Okakari Point Marine Reserve surrounding Goat Island.[1] The reserve, the first of its type in New Zealand, is also the location for the University of Auckland's Marine Laboratory.[2]

Demographics
Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
20062,760—    
20133,096+1.65%
20183,525+2.63%
Source: [3]
Leigh farmland

The Cape Rodney statistical area, which at 371 square kilometres is much larger than this community, stretches north to the border with Kaipara District and west almost to Wellsford. It had a population of 3,525 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 429 people (13.9%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 765 people (27.7%) since the 2006 census. There were 1,275 households. There were 1,785 males and 1,740 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.03 males per female. Of the total population, 687 people (19.5%) were aged up to 15 years, 489 (13.9%) were 15 to 29, 1,683 (47.7%) were 30 to 64, and 663 (18.8%) were 65 or older. Figures may not add up to the total due to rounding.

Ethnicities were 92.2% European/Pākehā, 15.4% Māori, 3.5% Pacific peoples, 2.0% Asian, and 2.6% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 16.9, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people objected to giving their religion, 59.4% had no religion, 27.9% were Christian, and 4.5% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 555 (19.6%) people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 495 (17.4%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $32,100. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 1,329 (46.8%) people were employed full-time, 558 (19.7%) were part-time, and 48 (1.7%) were unemployed.[3]

Recreation

The Leigh district provides several venues for rugby, golf, touch rugby, football and other sports. The Rodney district's rugby team, the "Rodney Rams", is based at Whangateau with clubrooms at Whangateau Reserve. The reserve is also used for local touch rugby tournaments.

There are a number of beaches close to Leigh including Goat Island, Mathesons Bay, Whangateau, Pakiri and Omaha. There are also numerous fishing spots and seafood hunting areas. Goat Island Marine Reserve provides several organised features including scenic marine observations, glass-bottom boat trips and scuba-diving; fishing is strictly prohibited.

"Daniel's Reef" is the most well known surfing spot in the Leigh area.

The Leigh Carnival is a fundraiser for the school and is held every Easter Sunday on the Leigh School field.[4] The Leigh Volunteer Fire Brigade hosts an annual fishing competition.

Media

The Leigh community newspaper is the Leigh Rag.

The Mahurangi Matters and Rodney Times newspapers are also delivered in the area.

Marae

The local Ōmaha Marae is a traditional meeting ground for Ngāti Manuhiri, and its associated iwi of Ngātiwai.[5] It includes Te Kiri meeting house.[6]

Education

Leigh School is the local primary school.[7] It is a coeducational contributing primary (years 1-6) school with a roll of 63 students as of March 2020.[8][9] The adjacent Leigh Community Preschool[10] accepts children from age 6 months to 5 years. The two schools work together to provide a seamless, minimally stressful transition for children entering school. A number of children living in Leigh attend the much larger Matakana Primary, 10 km distant. Homeschooling is also popular in the Leigh area.

High school students are served by Mahurangi College in Warkworth and Rodney College in Wellsford. There are no intermediate schools in the Greater Warkworth District, therefore The Ministry of Education has referred intermediate students to the nearby colleges.

Economy

Leigh is primarily a fishing village. It exports fresh fish both nationally and internationally.

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References
  1. "Leigh Travel Guide". Jasons Travel Media.
  2. Wises New Zealand Guide, 7th Edition, 1979. p.200.
  3. "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Cape Rodney (110400). 2018 Census place summary: Cape Rodney
  4. Leigh Easter Carnival
  5. "Te Kāhui Māngai directory". tkm.govt.nz. Te Puni Kōkiri.
  6. "Māori Maps". maorimaps.com. Te Potiki National Trust.
  7. Leigh Primary School
  8. "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  9. Education Counts: Leigh School
  10. http://www.leighpre.co.nz

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