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Taupaki
Farmland near Taupaki
Farmland near Taupaki
Country New Zealand
Region Auckland
Ward Rodney ward
Local board Rodney Local Board
Subdivision Kumeū subdivision
Electorates
  • Kaipara ki Mahurangi
  • Te Tai Tokerau
Area
 • Total 25.73 km2 (9.93 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2023)
 • Total 1,710
 • Density 66.46/km2 (172.1/sq mi)

Taupaki is a small place in the Rodney District of the Auckland Region in New Zealand. It is surrounded by other towns like Kumeū to the north-west and Whenuapai to the north-east. The North Auckland Line, a railway track, also runs through this area.

History of Taupaki

Taupaki has a rich history, especially with the local Māori people.

Traditional Lands

The area around Taupaki traditionally belongs to the Te Kawerau ā Maki tribe. They called the wider area Te Kumeū. This name means "the firmly bound peace." It refers to a place near Muriwai that became a border between Te Kawerau ā Maki and Ngāti Whātua lands in the early 1700s. The hills to the west and south-west were known as Ngā Rau Pou ā Maki. This name honours an important ancestor of the Te Kawerau ā Maki tribe.

Early Industries and Farming

In the 1870s and early 1880s, the main jobs in Taupaki were kauri logging and digging for kauri gum. Kauri gum is a resin from kauri trees. These jobs became easier when the North Auckland Line railway opened in 1881.

After the forests were cleared, the land was turned into farms. A farming community grew in Taupaki during the 1880s. At first, sheep farms were popular. But by the 1890s, dairy farms became more successful. Many settlers from Britain, Australia, and other parts of New Zealand moved to Taupaki during this time.

Community Growth

Taupaki School opened its doors in 1899. A few years later, the Taupaki Presbyterian Church was built in 1907. By 1936, about 369 people lived in Taupaki and the surrounding countryside.

People and Population

Taupaki is a growing community. The Taupaki statistical area covers about 25.72 square kilometres.

Population Numbers

Historical population
Year Pop. ±% p.a.
2006 1,452 —    
2013 1,446 −0.06%
2018 1,551 +1.41%
2023 1,797 +2.99%
The 2006 population is for a larger area of 27.20 km2.

In the 2023 New Zealand census, Taupaki had 1,797 people living there. This was an increase of 246 people since the 2018 census. There were 891 males and 897 females. People lived in 579 homes.

The average age in Taupaki was 43.5 years old. About 15% of the people were under 15 years old. Around 18.4% were 65 years or older.

Ethnic Backgrounds and Languages

People in Taupaki come from different backgrounds. Most people, about 86.5%, are European (Pākehā). About 11% are Māori. There are also people of Pasifika (3.5%) and Asian (9.7%) descent.

English is spoken by most people (96%). A small number of people (1.5%) speak the Māori language. Other languages are also spoken by about 10.9% of the population. About 22.4% of the people in Taupaki were born outside New Zealand.

Work and Education

For those aged 15 and older, about 17.1% had a university degree. More than half (55.4%) had a certificate or diploma after high school. The average income was $46,100. Many people in Taupaki are employed. About 53% work full-time, and 14.5% work part-time.

Education in Taupaki

Taupaki has its own local school.

Taupaki School

Taupaki School is a school for students from Year 1 to Year 8 (ages 5-13). It is a coeducational school, meaning both boys and girls attend. The school has a roll of 183 (February 2024) students. It opened in 1899 and celebrated its 100th birthday in 1999.

Notable People

  • Barry Crump was a famous New Zealand author. He spent a lot of his childhood growing up in Taupaki.
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