Whenuakura facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Whenuakura
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 Whenuakura
Location in Taranaki Region
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| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Taranaki |
| District | South Taranaki District |
| Population
(2013)
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| • Total | 1,065 |
Whenuakura is a small farming community in New Zealand. It is located on State Highway 3, which is a main road. This community is found east of a town called Patea. Whenuakura is at the southern end of the Taranaki region on the North Island of New Zealand.
An interesting fact about Whenuakura is that the border between the Taranaki and Wellington areas runs right through it. The community has its own primary school and a community hall. Two rivers, the Patea River and the Whenuakura River, also border the area.
In 2013, the wider Whenuakura area had a population of 1,065 people. This was an increase of 66 people since 2006. This population number covers a larger area than just the small community itself.
A famous New Zealand golfer, Michael Campbell, has family roots in Whenuakura. He won a major golf tournament called the 2005 US Open. Michael spent his early childhood here and learned to play golf at a club nearby in Patea.
Whenuakura Marae and Culture
A marae is a special meeting place for Māori people. The Whenuakura Pā is a marae located near the Whenuakura River bridge. It is the traditional meeting ground for the Kairakau and Pamatangi hapū, which are smaller family groups or clans.
Families connected to this marae are descendants of the Ngā Rauru, Ngati Ruanui, or Ngāti Hine tribes. All these groups trace their history back to Rangitawhi and the Aotea waka, which was a large traditional canoe. The marae includes a significant meeting house called Matangirei.
In October 2020, the New Zealand Government provided money to help upgrade the marae. This funding helped create jobs and improve the facilities at this important cultural site.
Education in Whenuakura
Whenuakura School is the local school for children in the community. It is a primary school for students in years 1 to 6. The school is for both boys and girls.
Currently, about 45 students attend Whenuakura School. In 2002, the school celebrated a big milestone: 125 years of providing education to the children of the district.
