Tokomaru Bay facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tokomaru Bay
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Town
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Tokomaru Bay
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| Country | New Zealand |
| Territorial authority | Gisborne District |
| Ward | Tairāwhiti General Ward |
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| Area | |
| • Total | 8.38 km2 (3.24 sq mi) |
| Population
(June 2023)
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| • Total | 530 |
| • Density | 63.2/km2 (163.8/sq mi) |
| Postcode(s) |
4079
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Tokomaru Bay is a small town located right by the beach on the remote East Coast of New Zealand's North Island. It is about 91 kilometers north of Gisborne, along State Highway 35. The town is also close to the famous Mount Hikurangi.
The area was first called Toka-a-Namu. This name means there were lots of sandflies around! Over time, the name changed to Tokomaru Bay.
Two main groups of Māori people, called hapū, live in Tokomaru Bay: Te Whanau a Ruataupare and Te Whānau a Te Aotawarirangi. The special mountain for Tokomaru Bay is Toiroa, and its important river is Mangahauini.
Contents
Discovering Tokomaru Bay's Past
The bay itself is about seven kilometers wide. It's a small but safe place, and ships used to stop here often until the early 1900s.
Early Explorers and Whaling
Captain Cook visited Tokomaru Bay in 1769 during his journey of discovery. Later, European settlers arrived and even set up a station for whaling. Whaling was a big industry back then, hunting whales for their oil and other products.
The Arrival of Christianity
In 1838, some missionaries, including William Williams and William Colenso, came to the area. They shared the Christian faith, and many local people became Christians.
Māori History and Strongholds
The area around Tokomaru Bay has always been a strong center for Māori culture. There's a nearby fortified village, called a pā, at Te Mawhai. In the 1860s, Henare Potae made this pā even stronger. This was during battles between the Ngāti Porou people and followers of the Pai Mārire movement.
Modern Life and Nature
Today, the town's economy mainly relies on agriculture (farming) and forestry (growing trees for wood). There's also some tourism, with visitors coming to enjoy the beautiful bay. Most people living in Tokomaru Bay are Māori, and the area is a very important place for the Ngāti Porou iwi (tribe).
Sometimes, large Southern right whales visit the bay. They come here to have their babies or to rest in the calm waters.
Who Lives in Tokomaru Bay?
Tokomaru Bay is considered a rural settlement. In 2018, about 444 people lived here. The population has changed a bit over the years.
People and Cultures
In 2018, the people living in Tokomaru Bay came from different backgrounds. About 32% were European (Pākehā), and a large majority, about 84%, were Māori. There were also smaller groups of Pacific peoples and Asian people. Many people in Tokomaru Bay identify with more than one ethnic group.
When it comes to beliefs, about 34% of people said they had no religion. Around 40% were Christian, and 14% followed Māori religious beliefs.
Meeting Places: Marae
Marae are very important meeting places for Māori communities.
Pakirikiri, Tuatini, and Waiparapara Marae
The Te Whānau a Ruataupare ki Tokomaru hapū (sub-tribe) has three marae in the area:
- Pakirikiri Marae, with its meeting house called Te Hono ki Rarotonga.
- Tuatini Marae, with its meeting house called Huiwhenua.
- Waiparapara Marae, with its meeting house called Te Poho o Te Tikanga.
In 2020, the New Zealand Government helped fund upgrades for these marae and many others in the Ngāti Porou area. This helped create jobs and improve these important community centers.
Te Ariuru Marae
Te Ariuru Marae is located in the northern part of the bay. Its meeting house is called Te Poho o Te Aotawarirangi. This marae belongs to another Ngāti Porou hapū, Te Whānau a Te Aotawarirangi.
Fun and Learning in Tokomaru Bay
Parks and Sports
Hatea-A-Rangi Memorial Park is the main sports ground and local park in Tokomaru Bay. It's a great place for sports and outdoor activities.
Schools in the Area
There are a few schools in and around Tokomaru Bay:
- Hatea-A-Rangi is a state school for students from Year 1 to Year 8.
- Mata School is a primary school (Year 1–8) located a bit inland from Tokomaru Bay.
- Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Nga Taonga Tuturu ki Tokomaru is a special school called a Kura Kaupapa Māori. It teaches students from Year 1 to Year 8 using Māori language and culture.
All these schools welcome both boys and girls.
Famous People from Tokomaru Bay
Tokomaru Bay is the birthplace of some well-known New Zealanders:
- Ngoi Pēwhairangi: A famous Māori composer and performance artist.
- Buff Milner: A former player for the All Blacks, New Zealand's national rugby team.
- Hākaraia Pāhewa: A notable person from the area.
Images for kids
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The wharf at Tokomaru Bay, a place where boats used to dock.
