Moerewa
Encyclopedia
Moerewa is a small town in the Northland Region of the North Island
of New Zealand
. It is unusual for its high proportion of Māori - over 80% of the population. It is located close to the Bay of Islands
five kilometres to the west of Kawakawa
.
The population was 1533 in the 2006 Census, a decrease of 129 from 2001.
A service town for the surrounding farming industry, its main industry is the freezing works. During the economic slump of the 1980s, many of the town's industries were badly affected, and unemployment soared. For this reason, the town's population has dwindled in recent years, although there are signs of an economic revival in the district.
of 1 and a roll of 228. Moerewa School opened in 1913, and merged with Otiria School at the beginning of 2005.
.
Moerewa was formerly served by the Opua Branch
of the North Auckland Line railway. The line was originally built to link the Bay of Islands with Whangarei
, and the complete route opened on 13 April 1911. From December 1925 until November 1956, the Northland Express
train ran through Moerewa, providing a direct service to Auckland
. After it ceased to run, passengers were served by mixed train
s between Opua
and Whangarei until 18 July 1976. In 1985, freight services ceased and the line from Moerewa to Kawakawa was dismantled. The line from Otiria
, the present northern terminus, to Moerewa remains in place but is disused.
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 is unusual for its high proportion of Māori - over 80% of the population. It is located close to the Bay of Islands
Bay of Islands
The Bay of Islands is an area in the Northland Region of the North Island of New Zealand. Located 60 km north-west of Whangarei, it is close to the northern tip of the country....
five kilometres to the west of Kawakawa
Kawakawa, New Zealand
Kawakawa is a small town in the Northland Region of northern New Zealand. It had a population of 1347 at the 2006 census, down from 1401 in 2001. Kawakawa developed as a service town when coal was found in the area in 1861, but there is no longer coal mining here...
.
The population was 1533 in the 2006 Census, a decrease of 129 from 2001.
A service town for the surrounding farming industry, its main industry is the freezing works. During the economic slump of the 1980s, many of the town's industries were badly affected, and unemployment soared. For this reason, the town's population has dwindled in recent years, although there are signs of an economic revival in the district.
Education
Moerewa School is a coeducational full primary (years 1-8) 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 1 and a roll of 228. Moerewa School opened in 1913, and merged with Otiria School at the beginning of 2005.
Transport
Moerewa is on State Highway 1State Highway 1 (New Zealand)
State Highway 1 is the longest and most significant road in the New Zealand roading network, running the length of both main islands. It appears on road maps as SH 1 and on road signs as a white number 1 on a red shield, but it has the official designations SH 1N in the North Island, SH 1S in the...
.
Moerewa was formerly served by the Opua Branch
Opua Branch
The Opua Branch or Otiria-Opua Industrial Line, partially still operational as the Bay of Islands Vintage Railway, is a former section of the North Auckland Line in the Northland Region of New Zealand, between Otiria and the Bay of Islands township of Opua. The first section was constructed as a...
of the North Auckland Line railway. The line was originally built to link the Bay of Islands with Whangarei
Whangarei
Whangarei, pronounced , is the northernmost city in New Zealand and the regional capital of Northland Region. Although commonly classified as a city, it is officially part of the Whangarei District, administered by the Whangarei District Council a local body created in 1989 to administer both the...
, and the complete route opened on 13 April 1911. From December 1925 until November 1956, the Northland Express
Northland Express
The Northland Express, also known as the Opua Express, was an express passenger train operated by the New Zealand Railways Department between 1925 and 1956. It ran from Auckland via Whangarei to Opua in the Bay of Islands.-Operation:...
train ran through Moerewa, providing a direct service to Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
. After it ceased to run, passengers were served by mixed train
Mixed train
A mixed train is a train that hauls both passenger and freight cars or wagons. In the early days of railways they were quite common, but by the 20th century they were largely confined to branch lines with little traffic. As the trains provided passengers with very slow service, mixed trains have...
s between Opua
Opua
Opua is a locality in the Bay of Islands, in the sub-tropical Northland Region of New Zealand. It is notable as the first port for overseas yachts arriving in the country after crossing the Pacific Ocean...
and Whangarei until 18 July 1976. In 1985, freight services ceased and the line from Moerewa to Kawakawa was dismantled. The line from Otiria
Otiria
Otiria is a rural locality in the Northland Region of New Zealand's North Island. It neighbours Moerewa to the east, with the nearest major town, Kawakawa a few kilometres further eastwards. Other nearby localities include Pokapu to the south, Orauta to the west, and Hupara to the north.-...
, the present northern terminus, to Moerewa remains in place but is disused.