Cook County, New Zealand facts for kids

Cook County was a special area in New Zealand, located on the North Island. It was like a local government region, similar to a county you might know today. It was set up in 1876 and lasted for many years until 1989.

The county covered a large area. This included places that are now separate counties. These are Cook, Waikohu, Uawa, Waiapu, and Matakaoa County. It stretched from Cape Runaway in the north to Paritu in the south.

What Was Cook County?

Cook County was one of the many counties of New Zealand. These counties were a way to organize local government. They helped manage things like roads and services. Cook County was created in 1876. It was finally closed down in 1989.

The Original Area

When Cook County started in 1876, it was very big. It included the areas that are now five different counties. These were Cook, Waikohu, Uawa, Waiapu, and Matakaoa. The county reached from Cape Runaway in the north. It went all the way to Paritu in the south.

First Council Members

The first leaders of Cook County were chosen in 1877. They formed the county council. Mr. J. W. Johnson was elected as the chairman. Captain Tucker became the clerk, handling records. R. M. Skeet was the surveyor, mapping the land.

Road Boards and Roads

Many smaller areas within Cook County had their own "road boards." These boards were in charge of building and fixing roads. Places like Te Arai, Ormond, and Waikohu had road boards. They helped improve travel and transport.

Building Roads with Stone

The council needed strong materials for roads. They found a good stone source at Waihirere. They even built a special tramline to move the stone. At first, a small engine pulled the trucks. Later, horses were used when a bigger engine didn't work. This stone was used for major roads. It helped build the main streets in Gisborne. When the Waihirere quarry ran out, they found new stone in Patutahi.

People in Cook County

Many people lived and worked in Cook County. The population changed over time. The county also had important leaders. These people helped shape the area.

Population Changes

A census was taken in 1878. It showed that 1,541 European people lived in Cook County. The largest group was in Gisborne.

The number of Māori people in the area grew a lot. It more than doubled in less than 40 years. The European population also increased, but not as much.

• In 1906, there were about 4,111 Māori people.
• By 1926, this number grew to 6,323.
• In 1945, the Māori population reached 9,138.

Notable People Who Served

Many people played important roles in Cook County. They served on the county council or other local boards.

• William Knox Chambers was a sheep farmer. He served on several road boards. He was also on the Cook County Council and the Gisborne Harbour Board.
• James Macfarlane was also a farmer. He was chairman of the Amuri County Council for nine years. He later served on the Cook County Council and the Hospital Board.
• Charles Gray came from England. He bought land in Waiohika in 1877. He became chairman of both the Cook County Council and the Cook Hospital Board.
• Thomas Jex-Blake managed a property called Taureka. He later bought his own land. He died in 1928.
• Charles Matthews was a farmer who helped develop Te Ruanui. He was a member of the Cook County Council for 24 years. He also served on the Poverty Bay Power Board.
• Robert Mixer Skeet was a civil engineer and surveyor. He was the first engineer for Cook County from 1877 to 1878.
• John Joseph Keane joined the Public Works Department in 1902. He became the overseer for Cook County in 1908. Later, he was appointed as the county engineer in 1921.