Te Whiti, New Zealand facts for kids
Te Whiti is a small, quiet community in the Wairarapa region of New Zealand's North Island. Its older name, Te Whiti o Tu, means "the place of crossing" in the Māori language. This name makes sense because it's located near a natural crossing point of the Ruamahanga River, where it meets the Waingawa River. The Ruamahanga River also meets the Tauweru River nearby.
Te Whiti is south of Masterton and east of Carterton. Other nearby places include Te Whanga to the east and Gladstone and Longbush to the south. The Maungaraki Range is also close by.
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Discovering Te Whiti's History
Te Whiti is one of the oldest settled places in the Wairarapa area. It was established even before the larger town of Masterton.
Who Settled Te Whiti?
A person named Hugh McKenzie started the settlement of Te Whiti in the early 1850s. This makes it a very historic spot in the region.
Te Whiti's School Days
For many years, Te Whiti had its own primary school. This school was an important part of the community until it closed in 1968. After the school closed, students from Te Whiti went to school in Gladstone. The school buildings were still used by local groups until the year 2000.
What is Te Whiti Today?
Today, Te Whiti is mainly known as a rural community. For official purposes, Land Information New Zealand recognizes it mostly as a homestead, which is a main house on a farm. There have been some discussions about its official status over the years.
