Waihi Beach

Waihi Beach is a coastal town at the western end of the Bay of Plenty in New Zealand's North Island. It lies 10 kilometres to the east of the town of Waihi, at the foot of the Coromandel Peninsula. The main beach itself extends approximately 10 kilometres. The town had a permanent population of 2,100 as of June 2019.

Waihi Beach
Waihi Beach
Waihi Beach
Coordinates: 37°24′S 175°56′E
Country New Zealand
RegionBay of Plenty
Territorial authorityWestern Bay of Plenty District
WardWaihi Beach
Population
 (June 2019)[1]
 • Total2,100

At the northern end of Waihi Beach, the 145 hectares (360 acres) Orokawa Scenic Reserve offers several short walking tracks along the coast and to Orokawa Bay.[2][3] While the main beach is backed by the residential area of the township of Waihi Beach, Orokawa Bay is undeveloped and surrounded by native bush including pohutukawa, puriri, and nikau palms.[3]

At the southern end of the beach is the small settlement of Bowentown and the northern side of the northern Katikati entrance to Tauranga Harbour.[4] The Bowentown settlement includes Otāwhiwhi Marae, a marae (tribal meeting ground) of the Ngāi Te Rangi tribe and Ngāi Tauwhao sub-tribe;[5] it includes the Tamaoho wharenui (meeting house).[6]

Māori have lived in the region since pre-European times, with numerous pā sites within a few kilometres of Waihi Beach. There is still evidence of the old pā sites at the Bowentown end of Waihi Beach. The name Waihi ("Rising Water") is said to be named after a stream which flows into the beach, the later town of Waihi taking its name from the name for the beach.[7]

The Waihi Beach Hotel was built in 1967 and the Athenree mineral hot springs are located nearby.[8] Nearby Waihi is known for the gold and silver mining operation at Martha Mine and several underground mines.[9]

Education

Waihi Beach School is a co-educational state primary school for Year to 6 students,[10] with a roll of 226 as of March 2020.[11]

References
  1. "Subnational Population Estimates: At 30 June 2019". Statistics New Zealand. 22 October 2019. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  2. "Orokawa Bay". Waihi Beach Community Events & Promotions Inc. Retrieved 2014-09-06.
  3. "Tauranga area: Orokawa Scenic Reserve short walking tracks". Department of Conservation NZ. Retrieved 2014-09-06.
  4. "Bay of Plenty places - Waihī Beach to Bowentown". Te Ara: Encyclopedia of New Zealand. 2012-11-14. Retrieved 2014-09-06.
  5. "Te Kāhui Māngai directory". tkm.govt.nz. Te Puni Kōkiri.
  6. "Māori Maps". maorimaps.com. Te Potiki National Trust.
  7. "History of Waihi Beach". Ohinemuri Regional History Journal 9, May 1968. Retrieved 2014-09-06.
  8. "Why Waihi? Why not?". Waikato Times. 2014-01-20. Retrieved 2014-09-06.
  9. "History - Newmont Waihi Gold". Newmont Mining Corporation. Retrieved 2014-09-06.
  10. "Waihi Beach School Ministry of Education School Profile". educationcounts.govt.nz. Ministry of Education.
  11. "Waihi Beach School Education Review Office Report". ero.govt.nz. Education Review Office.

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