Kaponga
Encyclopedia
Kaponga is a small town in the southern part of the Taranaki region of New Zealand
. It is known as "The Gateway to Dawson's Falls" on Mount Taranaki/Egmont. Kaponga is located inland from Manaia and Eltham
, and is on the main road connecting Eltham to Opunake
. Opunaki is 26 km to the west and Eltham is 13 km to the east. Auroa
lies to the south-east. Manaia is 15 km south of Kaponga.
The population was 372 in the 2006 Census, an increase of 21 from 2001.
The small town of Kaponga was settled in 1882, and has strong Swiss connections. Some of the first settlers in the area were Swiss, and in 1952, the Taranaki Swiss Club was formed
The town was once a much larger town than it is today: with many stores. There are only a few shops now, including the Kaponga Dairy, the 4 Square (supermarket), Taranaki Farmers (a rural supply business), a bed-and-breakfast (Constable Cottage), veterinary services (Coastal Veterinary Services Ltd), RD 1 (another rural supply business) and the local pub (bar). It is also home to a garden of national significance, Hollard Gardens .
There are many other businesses working in and around the village, mainly relying on the booming dairy industry. The Kaponga and surrounding community has a South Taranaki District Council LibraryPlus, which provides a full library service and Council related services. These services include being able to register your dog, pay your rates or inquire about obtaining a building permit. The LibraryPlus also has two APN computers, offering free internet and Skype to the public.
of 4 and a roll of 135. The school was founded in 1891. In 2005, Kapuni and Mahoe schools closed and merged into Kaponga School.
St Patrick's School is a state integrated Catholic school with a decile rating of 5 and a roll of 41. St Patrick's started in 1921 with lessons held in the local church. It moved into its own building in February 1922.
Both are coeducational full primary schools covering years 1-8.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. It is known as "The Gateway to Dawson's Falls" on Mount Taranaki/Egmont. Kaponga is located inland from Manaia and Eltham
Eltham, New Zealand
thumb|left|The town center of ElthamEltham is a small inland town in South Taranaki, New Zealand, located 50 km south of the city of New Plymouth and southeast of the volcanic cone of Mount Taranaki/Egmont. Stratford is 11 km north, Kaponga 13 km west, and Hawera 19 km south....
, and is on the main road connecting Eltham to Opunake
Opunake
Opunake is a small town on the southwest coast of Taranaki in New Zealand's North Island. It is located 45 kilometres southwest of New Plymouth. Rahotu is 16 km to the northwest. Manaia is 29 km to the southeast. State Highway 45 passes through the town.The population was 1368 in the...
. Opunaki is 26 km to the west and Eltham is 13 km to the east. Auroa
Auroa
Auroa is a locality in southern Taranaki. Opunake is to the west, Kaponga to the northeast, and Manaia to the southeast. Mount Taranaki is directly north of Auroa.-Education:...
lies to the south-east. Manaia is 15 km south of Kaponga.
The population was 372 in the 2006 Census, an increase of 21 from 2001.
The small town of Kaponga was settled in 1882, and has strong Swiss connections. Some of the first settlers in the area were Swiss, and in 1952, the Taranaki Swiss Club was formed
The town was once a much larger town than it is today: with many stores. There are only a few shops now, including the Kaponga Dairy, the 4 Square (supermarket), Taranaki Farmers (a rural supply business), a bed-and-breakfast (Constable Cottage), veterinary services (Coastal Veterinary Services Ltd), RD 1 (another rural supply business) and the local pub (bar). It is also home to a garden of national significance, Hollard Gardens .
There are many other businesses working in and around the village, mainly relying on the booming dairy industry. The Kaponga and surrounding community has a South Taranaki District Council LibraryPlus, which provides a full library service and Council related services. These services include being able to register your dog, pay your rates or inquire about obtaining a building permit. The LibraryPlus also has two APN computers, offering free internet and Skype to the public.
Education
Kaponga School is a school with a decile ratingSocio-Economic Decile
Decile, Socio-Economic Decile or Socio-Economic Decile Band is a widely used measure in education in New Zealand used to target funding and support to more needy schools....
of 4 and a roll of 135. The school was founded in 1891. In 2005, Kapuni and Mahoe schools closed and merged into Kaponga School.
St Patrick's School is a state integrated Catholic school with a decile rating of 5 and a roll of 41. St Patrick's started in 1921 with lessons held in the local church. It moved into its own building in February 1922.
Both are coeducational full primary schools covering years 1-8.