Hikutaia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hikutaia
Hikutaia in 2023 viewed from the Hauraki Rail Trail
Hikutaia Location in North Island
Country	New Zealand
Region	Waikato
District	Thames-Coromandel District
Population  (2013)
• Total	42

Hikutaia is a small place located on the Hauraki Plains in New Zealand. It sits along State Highway 26. You can find it south-east of Thames and north of Paeroa. The Hikutaia River flows from the Coromandel Range through the area and joins the Waihou River.

History and Culture of Hikutaia

The Hikutaia area has a long and interesting history. It was home to many Māori communities, with several pā (fortified villages) nearby.

Early European Visitors

In 1769, famous explorer James Cook and botanist Joseph Banks explored the Waihou River. They were amazed by the huge kahikatea trees that grew in thick forests. Banks even wrote that it was "the finest timber my Eyes ever beheld."

A few years later, in 1794, Captain Dell and his ship Fancy came to Hikutaia. They were looking for timber, especially the tall kahikatea trees. With help from local Māori, they took 213 trees. Many more ships came to the area for timber over the next few years. By 1799, four Europeans lived in Hikutaia. They helped with the timber trade and also arranged for Māori to work. Sometimes, there were disagreements between the traders and Māori because they had different ways of doing things.

In the mid-1960s, Hikutaia was well-known for its cheese factory. This factory had first opened its doors in 1917.

Marae: A Meeting Place

Hikutaiā Marae is a special traditional meeting ground. It is used by the local Ngāti Maru tribe. The Ngāti Paoa tribe has also lived in this area for a long time.

Education in Hikutaia

Hikutaia School is a school for both boys and girls. It teaches students from Year 1 to Year 8. The school has about 86 students.

Hikutaia Railway Station

Hikutaia station

Hikutaia used to have its own railway station. It was part of the Thames Branch railway line. The station was open from 1898 until 1995.

The railway line was built in sections. The part from Kopu to Hikutaia was finished in 1887. Then, work started on the section from Hikutaia to Paeroa. The road to the station was built in 1888.

The full railway line from Thames to Paeroa opened on December 19, 1898. Hikutaia was a "flag station." This meant trains would only stop if someone waved a flag or if passengers wanted to get off. The station had a small shelter, a platform, and a shed for goods. It also had yards for cattle and sheep. Later, a passing loop was added so trains could pass each other.

Over time, the way people traveled changed. More people started using roads, and the railway became less busy. Passenger trains stopped running in 1951. The station building and goods shed were sold in 1967. The stockyards were also closed and sold in 1972.

Hikutaia station site in 2023

By 1981, Hikutaia station was closed to all regular traffic. However, it did reopen for a short time in 1982 for maintenance trains. The Thames branch line officially closed for good on March 29, 1995.

Today, the old railway line is no longer used for trains. Instead, it has become part of the Hauraki Rail Trail. This is a popular path for walking and cycling, letting people enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Preceding station	National Rail			Following station
Komata North Line closed, station closed 4.88 km (3.03 mi)		Thames Branch New Zealand Railways Department		Wharepoa Road Line closed, station closed 1.69 km (1.05 mi)