Titahi Bay

Titahi Bay
City: Porirua
Island: North Island
Surrounded by:  
North: Whitireia Park
East: Porirua Harbour
South: Takapuwahia
West: Tasman Sea

Titahi Bay is a suburb of Porirua in the North Island of New Zealand. It is located at the foot of a short peninsula along the west coast of the Porirua Harbour, to the north of Porirua city centre. The suburb's population in 2006 was 7,527. Now The Population of Titahi Bay is jumped to 15,800.[1]

Many scenes from the Taika Waititi movie Eagle vs Shark were shot on location in Titahi Bay[2].

Contents

History

The legendary Polynesian navigator Kupe landed at Komanga Point, 3 kilometres west of Titahi Bay, leaving an anchor stone which today can be seen at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.

The area was settled by Māori for many years before the arrival of Europeans, and several pa sites are located nearby. The area was also the site of many inter-iwi conflicts, notably in the 1820s, when the area was invaded by the followers of Te Rauparaha.

The first European residents were whalers operating from Korohiwa, between Titahi Bay and Komanga Point.

During World War II, a camp housing US military personnel was built in Titahi Bay.[3]

Features

Titahi Bay Beach

Titahi Bay is one kilometre from end to end and forms a bay.[4]

Surfing is a popular activity at Titahi Bay. Titahi Bay is a beach break that can be surfed on all tides and during periods of onshore winds is generally the time to go there. The surf breaks have a vast array of size and skill sets. From Petes Rocks (1.5-2 m) to the famous Locals (.2-2m) to the Fishermans (inside 2m-3m outside 3-5m) Mainly all on North-Westerly swell direction. This all changes when South swell arrives, different breaks from different swell direction.

A Surfing club has operated for over 30 years. Two NZ champions originate form T-Bar.

The Titahi Bay Surf Life Saving Club is located in the centre of the bay.

The boat sheds at the northern and southern ends of the beach are often featured in photographs of the area.

The fossilised remains of a forest from the Pleistocene era are located at Titahi Bay and form an intertidal reef.[5] The forest was dominated by podocarps and tree-ferns and dates from the last interglacial period 150,000–70,000 years ago.[6]

Titahi Bay Volunteer Fire Brigade

Founded in 1945, the Titahi Bay Volunteer Fire Brigade operates an Iveco EuroCargo ML120E Type 2 (Medium Pump) Appliance[7] and currently has 20 volunteer Firefighters.[8] The Titahi Bay Volunteer Fire Brigade operates in the New Zealand Fire Service's Arapawa Fire Region.[9]

Porirua Little Theatre

Founded in 1950 as Titahi Bay Little Theatre by Ellinore Ginn[10] in the recreation hall used by US Marines encamped at Titahi Bay during World War II.[11]

Transportation

Bus routes servicing Titahi Bay:

Route 210[12]

Runs between Titahi Bay and Johnsonville Railway Station.

Route 220[13]

Runs between Titahi Bay and Ascot Park.

Education

Educational facilities in Titahi Bay:

Primary schools

Intermediate School

Sports

Sporting organisations in Titahi Bay:

Notable residents

Notable residents of the suburb have included international golfer Michael Campbell, New Zealand popstar Rob Arnold from the chart topping group Boyband, TV/Radio personality Gary McCormick, New Zealand Film and Television actor Emmett Skilton and Writer/Painter Ellinore Ginn.[15] Musician Matt Chicoine (aka Recloose) lived in Titahi Bay prior to moving to Auckland.[16] Peter Windsor a Surfing Champion, local identity, a Writer/Poet

Sports stars such as Lynnette Brooky and Tamati Ellison were born and raised in Titahi Bay.

See also

References

External links