Mokoia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mokoia
Mokoia Location in Taranaki Region
Country	New Zealand
Region	Taranaki
District	South Taranaki District

Mokoia is a small community located in the southern part of Taranaki, which is on the western side of New Zealand's North Island. You can find Mokoia along State Highway 3. It's about 10 kilometers (6 miles) east of Hāwera and around 17 kilometers (10.5 miles) northwest of Patea.

History of Mokoia

Mokoia has a rich history. It is near where a very large traditional Māori meeting house, called a wharenui, once stood. This meeting house was named Taiporohenui. It was built in the 1850s and was one of the biggest in New Zealand at the time.

The Mokoia settlement itself was started in 1867. The first people who lived here were farmers. They raised animals like sheep, cattle, and horses. Local Māori also operated a flour mill, which ground grain into flour.

Over time, the area grew. A creamery, where milk was processed, was built in 1904. It later became a dairy factory in 1908. This factory started making cheese in 1913 and another milk product called casein in 1923. The factory eventually closed in 1970.

The Mokoia Meteorite

A very exciting event happened in Mokoia on November 26, 1908. A meteorite exploded high above the area. This caused many small pieces of the space rock to fall to the ground. The event was so unusual that it was reported in newspapers all around the world.

Two large pieces of the meteorite were found on a farm owned by Cecil Hawken. A museum curator, George Marriner, collected these pieces. Today, parts of the Mokoia meteorite are kept in museums and collections worldwide.

After World War II, some soldiers who returned home were given farms in areas like Mokoia. This helped them start new lives after the war.

Oil and Gas Discoveries

In December 1999, oil was discovered near Mokoia at a well called Rimu A1. After this, eight more wells were developed to find oil and natural gas. A special station, the Rimu Production Station, opened in 2002 to process these resources.

Mokoia Marae

The Mokoia Marae is a special place for the local Māori community. A marae is a traditional meeting ground and a very important cultural center. The Mokoia Marae and its meeting house serve as a gathering place for the Ngāti Ruanui hapū (sub-tribe) known as Ngā Ariki.

Education in Mokoia

Mokoia School is the local primary school for children in years 1 to 6. It is a coeducational school, meaning both boys and girls attend. The first school in the area was built in 1904. However, the current Mokoia School building was constructed in the early 1940s.