Kaeo
| Kaeo Kāeo (Māori) | |
|---|---|
| Motto: Small town, big spirit | |
  Kaeo | |
| Coordinates: 35°6′S 173°47′E / 35.100°S 173.783°ECoordinates: 35°6′S 173°47′E / 35.100°S 173.783°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Northland Region |
| District | Far North District |
| Population (2006) | |
| • Total | 495 |
The township of Kaeo lies some 22 km northwest of Kerikeri in Northland, New Zealand. The town takes its name from the unique shellfish found in the nearby Whangaroa Harbour.
Built on the flood plain of the Kaeo River, the town has experienced destructive flooding. It came to national attention in 2007 when it took the brunt of three major floods within the space of a few months - in February, March and July. Water flooded homes and shops and destroyed the local Primary School's pool-complex. The local Rugby Clubrooms also suffered, and the club received much support from the whole country as it raised funds to lift the clubrooms off the ground to minimise the risk of damage from further flooding. Landslips, fallen power lines, and road closures resulted from heavy rain in February 2008. The Northland Regional Council scheduled flood-protection work for 2008,[1] but as of 2011 it is still waiting on various consents.[2] Floods occurred as a result of Cyclone Wilma in January 2011, and 70 people had to be evacuated from Kaeo.[3]
The 2006 New Zealand census reported a population of 495, an increase of 3 from 2001.[4]
Kaeo has a BP petrol-station, a pharmacy, a Farm and Fuel store, a bookshop, eateries, a hairdresser, a bus company, mechanics (2), a tyre-shop, a transport company, a Sanfords Fishery factory (closed down in December 2011),[5] a 4-Square shop incorporating a Post Office, a primary school with around 126 students and a college (high school).
A local Italian, Stefano Virgili coaches and manages Kaeo's amateur football team, which competes in the Northland 1st Division.
Famous people from Kaeo include New Zealand Sevens Rugby legend, Eric Rush and Heather Mansfield of The Brunettes.
History
Kaeo used to be a fortified village Pā of the Ngati-Uru sub-tribe. This tribe arrived in the Whangaroa Harbour as late as 1770- 1775, having been driven out of the Rawhiti area of the Bay of Islands, after killing and eating Captain Marion du Fresne, and his crew.[6]
Education
Kaeo Primary School, a coeducational contributing primary (years 1-6) school, has a decile rating of 1 and a roll of 126.[7] The school dates from 1877; it moved to its current site some years later. In 1941 it became Kaeo District High School, taking both primary and secondary students. After the opening of Whangaroa College in 1969, Kaeo School became a primary school.[8]
Whangaroa College, a coeducational secondary (years 7-15) school, has a decile-rating of 2 and a roll of 80.[9]
Notable People
Rahera Windsor (1925 - 2004), the British Maori spiritual leader and founding member of Ngāti Rānana was born in Pupuke near Kaeo.[10]
External links
References
- ↑ "Call to stop town flooding a fourth time". The New Zealand Herald. 26 February 2008.
- ↑ "Kaeo people frustrated by continual flooding". Radio New Zealand. 31 January 2011. Retrieved 2011-02-03.
- ↑ "Wilma departs leaving big clean up". The New Zealand Herald. 2011-01-29.
- ↑ Quickstats about Kaeo
- ↑ "66 jobs to go at Kaeo oyster plant". The Northern Advocate. 6 December 2011.
- ↑ "The Peopling of the North". Supplement to the Journal of the Polynesian Society. Volume 5 1896.
- ↑ "Te Kete Ipurangi - Kaeo School". Ministry of Education.
- ↑ "Our school". Kaeo Primary School.
- ↑ "Te Kete Ipurangi - Whangaroa College". Ministry of Education.
- ↑ Wilson, Susan (22 June 2004). "Rahera Windsor, London Maori leader". London: The Independent.