| Ahipara | |
|---|---|
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Ahipara
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| Coordinates: | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Northland Region |
| District | Far North District |
| Population (2006) | |
| • Total | 1,125 |
Ahipara is a town and locality in Northland, New Zealand. It is at the southern end of Ninety Mile Beach, with the Tauroa Peninsula to the west and Herekino Forest to the east. Ahipara Bay is to the north west. Kaitaia is 14 km to the north east,[1] and Pukepoto is between the two.
The population was 1,125 in the 2006 Census, an increase of 84 from 2001.[2]
The name comes from the Māori language words ahi, meaning fire, and para, a large fern, and can be translated as "a fire at which para was cooked". Prior to the late 18th century, the area was called Wharo, which means "stretched out". That name originated when the chief Tohe ordered a slave to measure the distance the tide had receded, by counting the number of arm-spans from the high water level.[3]
The area was popular with kauri gum-diggers during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.[4] The Ahipara Gumfields Historic Reserve is to the south of the town.
Shipwreck Bay, at the southern point of Ahipara Bay, contains a number of wrecks visible at low tide.[5]
Ahipara Bay was once well known for its toheroa shellfish, although gathering these is now restricted due to their near-extinction.[6][7] Both Ahipara and Shipwreck Bays are popular surfing spots.[8]
Ahipara School is a coeducational full primary (years 1-8) school with a decile rating of 3 and a roll of 241.[9] The school was founded in 1872 as a mission school, and moved to its present site in 1901.[10]