| Ruatoria | |
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| — town — | |
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Ruatoria
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| Country | New Zealand |
The town of Ruatoria is located in the East Coast region of New Zealand's North Island. It is the second largest centre of population in the sparsely populated region, yet has a population of only 900 [1].
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The town is located 130 kilometres north of Gisborne and 30 kilometres southwest of East Cape.
The principal industries in the district are related to agriculture and forestry. Attempts to sink oil wells in the area in the 1920s proved unprofitable.
Ruatoria (Te-rua-a-Torea) reputedly takes its name from Torea's kumara pit (or rua). From about 1925 onwards, Ruatoria began to replace Tuparoa as the main urban centre of the East Coast district of New Zealand. The transition to Ruatoria from Tuparoa was brought about by the increased reliability of State Highway 35, which at that time ran via the main street of Ruatoria. Tuparoa was disadvantaged by unreliable road access and a lack of all weather harbour.
Ruatoria is the home of the local rugby union, East Coast.
Ko Hikurangi te Maunga, Ko Waiapu te Awa, Ko Ngati Porou te Iwi.
Hikurangi is the mountain, Waiapu is the river and Ngati Porou is the tribe.
According to the local Maori, Waiapu is a sacred river. It is said that until Hori Keeti lifted a curse by doing a karakia (prayer), there was a drowning in it every year.
Ruatoria was the birthplace of Moana-Nui-a-Kiwa Ngarimu, the first Māori to receive a Victoria Cross.