| Kawakawa | |
|---|---|
|
Kawakawa
|
|
| Coordinates: | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Northland Region |
| District | Far North District |
| Population (2006) | |
| • Total | 1,347 |
Kawakawa is a small town in the Northland Region of northern New Zealand. It had a population of 1347 at the 2006 census, down from 1401 in 2001.[1] Kawakawa developed as a service town when coal was found in the area in 1861, but there is no longer coal mining here. The economy is based around farming.[2]
The town is known as "Train town", because the Bay of Islands Vintage Railway runs down the middle of its main street on the way to Opua 8 km of 17 km track reopened in 2008.[3]
The town is also famous for its public toilets, designed by Austrian architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser, who was a resident of the town from 1975 until his death in 2000. Another attraction is the nearby Kawiti glowworm Caves at Waiomio.
Kawakawa Primary School is a full primary (years 1-8) school with a roll of 310.[4]
Bay of Islands College is a secondary (years 9-13) school with a roll of 422.[5] It takes students from around the Bay of Islands and middle Northland, with 85% of its students travelling daily by bus to attend.[6]
Both schools have a decile rating of 1, and are coeducational.
Karetu School is also a local primary school in the Kawakawa region.