Mamaku
Encyclopedia
Mamaku is a small town in the Bay of Plenty Region of the North Island
of New Zealand
. It lies on the Mamaku Plateau at an elevation of 560 metres (1,837.3 ft) above sea level. Situated at the highest point of the now-mothballed Rotorua Branch
railway line, the town is 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) south of State Highway 5. As of the 2006 census, the normally-resident population of Mamaku was 726, of whom 37.4% identified their ethnicity as Māori.
in Taranaki. Ironically, the plant known as Mamaku
, the Black tree fern, is not found in the area. European settlement commenced in the 1880s, and for a time Mamaku rivalled Rotorua
for size.
The main industry in Mamaku was originally native timber logging. In the late 19th century and early 20th century Mamaku had, at one time, 5 timber mills, all logging native timber from the surrounding bush. This reduced over time and today there is a single timber mill operating in the heart of the village.
Another major industry established in Mamaku was farming, primarily milk and sheep. This continues today as perhaps the main source of income for the village.
Mamaku School, the first and only school in the village, was opened in 1895 to offer education to students for the first 8 years of school. NOTE: New Zealand provides schooling up to 13 educational years.
North Island
The North Island is one of the two main islands of New Zealand, separated from the much less populous South Island by Cook Strait. The island is in area, making it the world's 14th-largest island...
of New Zealand
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 lies on the Mamaku Plateau at an elevation of 560 metres (1,837.3 ft) above sea level. Situated at the highest point of the now-mothballed Rotorua Branch
Rotorua Branch
The Rotorua Branch is a railway line from Putaruru to Rotorua, in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions of the North Island of New Zealand. Construction of the line was commenced by the Thames Valley and Rotorua Railway Company and finished by the Public Works Department...
railway line, the town is 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) south of State Highway 5. As of the 2006 census, the normally-resident population of Mamaku was 726, of whom 37.4% identified their ethnicity as Māori.
History
Mamaku was originally called Kaponga, but the name was changed to Mamaku in 1890 to avoid confusion with the town of KapongaKaponga
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...
in Taranaki. Ironically, the plant known as Mamaku
Cyathea medullaris
Cyathea medullaris, popularly known as the black tree fern, is a large tree fern up to 20 m tall. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is called mamaku, katātā, kōrau, or pītau in the Māori language.-Distribution:...
, the Black tree fern, is not found in the area. European settlement commenced in the 1880s, and for a time Mamaku rivalled Rotorua
Rotorua
Rotorua is a city on the southern shores of the lake of the same name, in the Bay of Plenty region of the North Island of New Zealand. The city is the seat of the Rotorua District, a territorial authority encompassing the city and several other nearby towns...
for size.
The main industry in Mamaku was originally native timber logging. In the late 19th century and early 20th century Mamaku had, at one time, 5 timber mills, all logging native timber from the surrounding bush. This reduced over time and today there is a single timber mill operating in the heart of the village.
Another major industry established in Mamaku was farming, primarily milk and sheep. This continues today as perhaps the main source of income for the village.
Mamaku School, the first and only school in the village, was opened in 1895 to offer education to students for the first 8 years of school. NOTE: New Zealand provides schooling up to 13 educational years.