Maungatapere facts for kids

Maungatapere is a small community located in the beautiful Northland area of New Zealand. It's a place where State Highway 14 passes right through, connecting it to other towns. Whangārei is just 11 kilometers (about 7 miles) to the east, and Tangiteroria is 18 kilometers (about 11 miles) to the southwest.

The name Maungatapere comes from a nearby rounded volcanic hill. In the Māori language, it means "meeting house by the mountain." This hill stands tall at 359 meters (about 1,178 feet) above sea level. Maungatapere is also special because it's where State Highways 14 and 15 meet. Interestingly, Maungatapere is on the exact opposite side of the Earth from the city of Tangier, in Morocco!

History of Maungatapere

The history of Maungatapere began to change in 1839 when a man named Thomas Elmsley bought a large area of land here. The land was purchased from Te Tirarau Kukupa, a local Māori leader.

Early Settlers and Farms

In 1840, Thomas Elmsley, along with two brothers, Henry and Charles Walton, arrived with workers. Their goal was to start farms in the area. Henry Walton's farm was located on the slopes of Maungatapere Mountain and was known as "Maungatapere Park."

After a conflict known as the Flagstaff War, Henry Walton hired former soldiers. These soldiers helped build many stone walls that are still a special feature of the area today.

Family and Community Life

Henry Walton married Kohura in 1846, who was the niece of Te Tirarau Kukupa. Sadly, she passed away during childbirth. Later, he married her sister, Pehi, but she also died in 1856 during a measles outbreak.

Henry Walton was also involved in developing the area. In 1858, he built a road that connected Maungatapere to Whangarei, making travel much easier. He also took part in other businesses like coal mining and shipbuilding. He was one of the people who helped start a timber mill in Te Kōpuru.

Henry Walton's Later Life

Henry Walton was one of the first people to invest in the Bank of New Zealand. He also became involved in politics. In 1863, he joined the New Zealand Legislative Council, which was a part of the government. Two years later, he was elected to the Auckland Provincial Council. However, in 1867, he left New Zealand and returned to England.

People of Maungatapere

Statistics New Zealand describes Maungatapere as a rural settlement. This means it's a community in the countryside. The settlement covers about 1.33 square kilometers (about 0.5 square miles).

Population Changes

The population of Maungatapere has changed over the years.

In the 2023 New Zealand census, Maungatapere had 321 people living there. This was an increase of 48 people (17.6%) since the 2018 census. It was also an increase of 60 people (23.0%) since the 2013 census.

There were 156 males and 165 females living in 105 homes. The average age of people in Maungatapere was 39.3 years.

Age Groups

Here's how the population was divided by age:

• 72 people (22.4%) were under 15 years old.
• 51 people (15.9%) were aged 15 to 29.
• 129 people (40.2%) were aged 30 to 64.
• 69 people (21.5%) were aged 65 or older.

Ethnic Backgrounds and Languages

People in Maungatapere come from different backgrounds. Here are the main groups:

• 82.2% identified as European (also called Pākehā).
• 32.7% identified as Māori.
• 2.8% identified as Pasifika.
• 5.6% identified as Asian.
• 3.7% identified with other ethnic groups.

Most people (97.2%) spoke English. Some people (7.5%) also spoke the Māori language, and 5.6% spoke other languages. About 15.0% of the people living in Maungatapere were born outside New Zealand.

Religious Beliefs

When asked about their religious beliefs:

• 30.8% identified as Christian.
• 0.9% identified as Hindu.
• 0.9% identified with Māori religious beliefs.
• 0.9% identified as Buddhist.
• 0.9% identified with other religions.

A large number of people (57.9%) said they had no religion.

Education and Work

Of those aged 15 and older:

• 36 people (14.5%) had a university degree or higher.
• 138 people (55.4%) had a certificate or diploma after high school.
• 63 people (25.3%) had only high school qualifications.

The average income in Maungatapere was $38,400. Most people aged 15 and older were employed: 135 people (54.2%) worked full-time, and 30 people (12.0%) worked part-time.

Education

Maungatapere has its own school, called Maungatapere School. It is a coeducational full primary school, meaning both boys and girls attend, and it teaches students from Year 1 to Year 8 (ages 5 to 13). As of February 2024 , the school has 279 students. The school celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2004, showing its long history in the community.