Mokoia
Encyclopedia
Mokoia is a small settlement in south Taranaki, in the western North Island
of New Zealand
. It is located on State Highway 3
10 kilometres to the east of Hawera
and about 17 km northwest of Patea
.
A meteorite exploded above Mokoia on 26 November 1908, showering the area with fragments. It made international headlines. One of the surviving fragments, recovered from the farm of Cecil Hawken is now held in the Puke Ariki
heritage collection. Mokoia was one of the areas where soldiers were given rehab farms after World War II
.
The Rimu A1 well struck oil on the coast near Mokoia in December 1999, and eight more wells for oil and natural gas were subsequently developed by Swift Petroleum.
of 7 and a roll of 17. The first school in the area was built in 1904, but was replaced by the current school in the early 1940s.
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 located on State Highway 3
New Zealand State Highway network
The New Zealand State Highway network is the major national highway network in New Zealand. Just under 100 roads in both the North and South Islands are State Highways...
10 kilometres to the east of Hawera
Hawera
Hawera is the second-largest town in the Taranaki region of New Zealand's North Island, with a population of . It is near the coast of the South Taranaki Bight, 75 kilometres south of New Plymouth on State Highway 3 and 20 minutes' drive from Mount Taranaki/Egmont.It is also on State Highway 45,...
and about 17 km northwest of Patea
Patea
Patea is the third-largest town in South Taranaki, New Zealand. It is on the western bank of the Patea River, 61 kilometres north-west of Wanganui on State Highway 3. Hawera is 27 km to the north-west, and Waverley 17 km to the east. The Patea River flows through the town from the...
.
History
The settlement was founded in 1867. Early settlers farmed sheep, cattle and horses. A flour mill was run by local Maori. A creamery was built in 1904 and expanded into a dairy factory in 1908. It expanded to include cheese-making in 1913, and again to produce casein in 1923. It closed in 1970.A meteorite exploded above Mokoia on 26 November 1908, showering the area with fragments. It made international headlines. One of the surviving fragments, recovered from the farm of Cecil Hawken is now held in the Puke Ariki
Puke Ariki
Puke Ariki is a combined museum and library at New Plymouth, New Zealand. It also includes a visitor information centre and cafe.It is the world's first purpose-built, fully integrated museum, library and visitor information centre. Puke Ariki won Creative New Zealand's prestigious Creative Places...
heritage collection. Mokoia was one of the areas where soldiers were given rehab farms after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
The Rimu A1 well struck oil on the coast near Mokoia in December 1999, and eight more wells for oil and natural gas were subsequently developed by Swift Petroleum.
Education
Mokoia School is a coeducational contributing primary (years 1-6) 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 7 and a roll of 17. The first school in the area was built in 1904, but was replaced by the current school in the early 1940s.