Kaihu facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kaihu
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 Kaihu
Location in Northland Region
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| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Northland Region |
| District | Kaipara District |
Kaihu (which means "eating secretly" in Māori) is a small community and settlement in the Northland area of New Zealand. The Kaihu River flows through the beautiful Kaihu Valley. This river eventually joins the Wairoa River near Dargaville. Dargaville is about 32 kilometers (20 miles) to the southeast.
State Highway 12 runs right through the valley and passes by the Kaihu settlement. The area of Aranga is about 10 kilometers (6 miles) to the northwest. You'll find the Kaihu Forest to the east and the Marlborough Forest to the north.
The local Māori people, known as hapū, are Te Roroa. They are part of the larger Ngāti Whātua iwi (tribe).
Contents
A Glimpse into Kaihu's Past
Early Māori Life and Battles
The Kaihu area was first home to the Ngāti Awa people. However, around the year 1640, the Ngāti Whātua tribe moved into the region.
In 1806, during a time called the Musket Wars, battles took place near Kaihu. These fights were between Ngāti Whātua and another tribe called Ngā Puhi. Another attack happened in 1825.
European Settlers Arrive
It's thought that Samuel Polack might have been the first European to visit Kaihu in 1832. Later, in 1834, a missionary named John Whiteley described Kaihu as a very important village in Kaipara. He even suggested it would be a good place to build a mission.
Before a special deadline in 1840, several Europeans tried to buy land in Kaihu. One attempt to buy a large area of land (about 7,300 hectares or 18,000 acres) was not allowed. However, Thomas Spencer successfully bought 160 hectares (400 acres) of land in Kaihu in September 1839.
The Kauri Timber Industry
A railway line was built around 1883 to help with the kauri timber industry. It ran from Dargaville through the valley to Kaihu. The line was later extended to Donnellys Crossing in 1921. This railway was very important for moving timber.
However, as roads got better, the railway became too expensive to run. It was closed on July 18, 1959.
Growth of the Town
The town of Kaihu first started as a place called Opanake. By the end of the 1800s, it was known as Kaihu. In the 1890s, the town grew a lot. Both the timber industry and the gum-digging trade were booming. A new road from Dargaville also helped the town's population increase from 200 to 500 people.
A large sawmill was built in Kaihu around 1898. It processed kauri and tōtara trees. The mill could produce a huge amount of timber each year. However, two big floods happened around 1900. One of these floods badly damaged a large part of the mill. The sawmill eventually closed in 1915, which caused the town's population to drop by half.
Māori Marae in Kaihu
Several important Ngāti Whātua marae (traditional meeting grounds) are located in the Kaihu area. These are special places for the community.
- Waikaraka Marae and its meeting house, Whakarongo, belong to Te Roroa.
- Ahikiwi Marae and its meeting house, Te Aranga Mai o te Whakapono, are connected to the hapū of Ngāti Hinga.
- Taita Marae and its meeting house, Kia Mahara Koutou, are linked to the hapū of Ngāti Torehina.
- Tama te Uaua Marae and its meeting house, Tama te Uaua, are also a gathering place for local Ngāti Whātua.
Notable People from Kaihu
- William Sage Rapson, a well-known chemist.
Education in Kaihu
Kaihu Valley 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 small number of students, with a roll of 24.
A school for Māori children first opened in Kaihu in 1887. This was replaced by a government school in 1897. The current Kaihu Valley School celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2004.
Maropiu District High School, which was located south of Kaihu, closed its doors in 1973.
