| Kaitaia | |
|---|---|
|
Kaitaia
|
|
| Coordinates: | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Island | North Island |
| Region | Northland |
| Territorial authority | Far North District |
| Ward | Northern |
| Population (2006 census) | |
| • Urban | 5,202 |
| Time zone | NZST (UTC+12) |
| • Summer (DST) | NZDT (UTC+13) |
| Postcode(s) | 0410 |
| Area code(s) | 09 |
Kaitaia is a town in the far north region of New Zealand, at the base of the Aupouri Peninsula which is about 160 km northwest of Whangarei. It is the last major settlement on the main road north to the capes and bays on the peninsula. Ahipara Bay, the southernmost part of Ninety Mile Beach, is five kilometres west of the town.
The main industries of the town are forestry and tourism. The town has a population of 5,202 (2006 census)[1] which makes it second largest in the FNDC area, behind Kerikeri.
The name Kaitaia means plenty of food (Kai being the Maori word for food).[2]
Contents |
The Kaitaia Mission Station was first established in 1834 by the missionaries Joseph Matthews and William Gilbert Puckey.[3]
Kaitaia has an oceanic, subtropical climate. On average, it is the warmest place in New Zealand.
In the mid-1980s, a large meteorological observatory was built on the hill behind Kaitaia providing surface observations and upper air radar and radiosonde measurements. However, with the change in government policies at this time, especially the impact of Rogernomics, the full potential of the observatory was never realised and it was closed in the late 1990s. The upper air component of the observatory was moved to the Whenuapai Air Base, northwest of Auckland.
| Climate data for Kaitaia | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average high °C (°F) | 23.9 (75.0) |
24.5 (76.1) |
22.9 (73.2) |
20.8 (69.4) |
18.5 (65.3) |
16.3 (61.3) |
15.6 (60.1) |
15.7 (60.3) |
16.8 (62.2) |
18.1 (64.6) |
19.6 (67.3) |
22 (72) |
19.6 (67.3) |
| Average low °C (°F) | 15.4 (59.7) |
15.6 (60.1) |
14.2 (57.6) |
13.1 (55.6) |
11.1 (52.0) |
9.2 (48.6) |
8.7 (47.7) |
8.5 (47.3) |
9.5 (49.1) |
10.9 (51.6) |
12.1 (53.8) |
13.7 (56.7) |
11.8 (53.2) |
| Precipitation mm (inches) | 82 (3.23) |
79 (3.11) |
78 (3.07) |
95 (3.74) |
119 (4.69) |
149 (5.87) |
166 (6.54) |
152 (5.98) |
133 (5.24) |
93 (3.66) |
94 (3.7) |
97 (3.82) |
1,334 (52.52) |
| Source: NIWA Climate Data[4] | |||||||||||||
There were plans to extend the Okaihau Branch railway to Kaitaia and construction was undertaken in the 1920s, but with the line nearly complete to Rangiahua, a review in 1936 determined that the branch line would not be viable and construction was abandoned. The line therefore terminated in Okaihau until it was closed on 1 November 1987. Despite the failure of the railway to reach Kaitaia, D 221, a tank steam locomotive of the NZR D class, has been on static display at Centennial Park since 1967.[1] A bus service also runs regularly from Auckland to Kaitaia.[5]
Kaitaia Airport receives regular Air New Zealand services from Auckland as well as from other private jet companies.
The avocado industry flourishes around Kaitaia, with orchards dispersed throughout the immediate area. Wine is a growing commodity. One of the largest vineyards is the Karikari Estate.
It is claimed that the illicit trade of marijuana growing flourishes in Kaitaia and the Far North.
Kaitaia Primary School, Kaitaia Intermediate and Kaitaia College are the main primary, intermediate and secondary schools for the town of Kaitaia. The primary school has a decile rating of 1, and the others have a decile of 2. The rolls are 277,[6] 253,[7] and 862[8] respectively.
Pompallier School is a Catholic full primary (years 1-8) school with a decile rating of 3 and a roll of 126.[9]
Kaitaia Abundant Life School is a Christian composite school (years 1-13) with a decile rating of 2 and a roll of 211.[10] It was established in 1988 as a private primary school, and extended to secondary students in 1992. It became a state integrated school in 1996.[11]
Oturu School is an outlying primary school serving years 1-8. The school, north east of Kaitaia, has a decile rating of 1 and a roll of 63.[12]
There are also Pukepoto School and Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Pukemiro located in Pukepoto to the south-west.
All these schools are co-educational.
NorthTec polytechnic also has a campus in Kaitaia.[13]