Makaraka, New Zealand facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Makaraka
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Suburb
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| Country | New Zealand |
| Local authority | Gisborne |
| Electoral ward | Gisborne |
  Makaraka, New Zealand  |
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Makaraka is a suburb located on the western side of Gisborne city, in New Zealand's North Island. It's known for the Makaraka Racecourse, where horse racing events take place.
In the 1800s, Makaraka was settled by dairy farmers. A factory for making dairy products was built here in 1899.
Near Makaraka, you'll find the Tarere Marae. A marae is a special meeting place for Māori people. The Tarere Marae belongs to Te Whānau a Iwi, which is a hapū (a smaller group or sub-tribe) of Te Aitanga ā Māhaki. Inside the marae is a meeting house called Te Aotipu.
Education
Makaraka School is a primary school for students in Years 1 to 6. It is a public school that teaches both boys and girls. As of February 2024. , the school has a roll of 110 students.
Railway History
Makaraka once had its own railway station. This station was open from 1902 to 1959. It was part of the Moutohora Branch railway line. For some years, from 1915 to 1931, it was also a junction where another line, the Ngātapa Branch, split off.
Today, the railway line in Makaraka is called the Makaraka Industrial Line, but it is not currently in use. You can also find the East Coast Museum of Technology at the old station site. This museum has the original station building from Matawhero, another nearby area.
