Whataroa facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Whataroa
State Highway 6 running through Whataroa, with Mount Adams in the background
Whataroa Location in West Coast
Country	New Zealand
Region	West Coast
District	Westland District
Electorates	West Coast-Tasman Te Tai Tonga
Population  (2013)
• Total	288
Local iwi	Ngāi Tahu

Whataroa is a small township in southern Westland on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island. It is located on the western bank of the Whataroa River, with the village of Te Taho on the other side. State Highway 6 passes through Whataroa on its route from Ross to the Franz Josef Glacier. Hari Hari is 31 kilometres (19 mi) to the north-east, and Franz Josef is 32 km to the south-west.

The population of Whataroa and its surrounding area was 288 in the 2013 census, a decrease of 117 from 2006.

Whataroa is located in an agricultural area where dairying is the primary activity. The town contains establishments such as a school, two churches, and a dairy and tearooms. It is also a staging base for trips to a white heron sanctuary that is the only breeding location of white heron in New Zealand, and for trips to the natural exposure of the Alpine Fault at Gaunt Creek.

Te Taho, a small farming community, is located north of Whataroa on State Highway 6. It once included a maternity hospital and a number of schools.

History

Whataroa was the site of cattle sales twice a year from 1875, serving farmers from around South Westland. The last mob of cattle was driven to Whataroa in 1961.

A dairy factory was established at Whataroa before World War I.

Education

Whataroa School is a coeducational full primary school (years 1–8), with a decile rating of 7 and a roll of 28 as at April 2023. The school was established in 1879 and celebrated its 125th jubilee in 2004.

Images for kids

• 

  Our Lady of the Woods in 2020