Rahotu facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rahotu
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|---|---|
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Taranaki Region |
| Territorial authority | South Taranaki District |
| Ward |
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| Community | Taranaki Coastal Community |
| Electorates |
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| Area | |
| • Total | 16.57 km2 (6.40 sq mi) |
| Population
(2018 Census)
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| • Total | 216 |
| • Density | 13.04/km2 (33.76/sq mi) |
Rahotu is a small community located in the western part of Taranaki, on the North Island of New Zealand. You can find it along State Highway 45. It's about 16 kilometres north of Ōpunake and 11 kilometres south of Warea.
A New Zealand government group, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage, says the Māori name Rāhotu means "Long for the sun".
Contents
Rahotu's Past: A Look at History
Early Battles and Shipwrecks
Back in 1826, a battle took place on the eastern side of Rahotu. It was fought at a pā (a fortified village) belonging to the Ngāti Maru people. They were fighting against Waikato Māori.
Later, in 1834, a sailing ship called the Harriet crashed near the coast of Rahotu. Some of the crew, including the captain's wife and two young children, were captured by local Māori. They were rescued five months later by a British warship, HMS Alligator. Today, the Harriet's anchor is on display outside the Rahotu Hotel. It's a cool piece of history!
Town Development
In 1881, a police camp was set up in Rahotu. A telegraph station, which sent messages over long distances, was also built. The town we see today started to be settled in the 1880s. By the early 1900s, Rahotu was a well-established community.
Who Lives in Rahotu?
Rahotu is a small place. In the 2018 New Zealand census, 216 people lived there. This was an increase of 24 people since the 2013 census.
There were 84 homes in Rahotu. The population was split evenly, with 108 males and 108 females. The average age was about 37.5 years old. About 26% of the people were under 15 years old.
Most people in Rahotu identified as European or Pākehā (77.8%). A significant number (47.2%) also identified as Māori. People can identify with more than one ethnic group.
When asked about religion, most people (54.2%) said they had no religion. About 31.9% were Christian.
Learning in Rahotu
Rahotu has its own school, Rahotu School. It's a school for all primary years, from Year 1 to Year 8. The school first opened in 1884. It has grown over the years, with new classrooms added in 1908 and a big expansion in 1953.
