{{short description|Harbour and settlement in Waikato, New Zealand}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=November 2022}} {{Infobox settlement | name = Kawhia | image_skyline = Kawhia Harbour.jpg | image_caption = The harbour with Tiritirimatangi Peninsula at centre | mapframe = yes | mapframe-zoom = 9 | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = New Zealand | subdivision_type1 = Region | subdivision_name1 = [[Waikato Region]] | subdivision_type2 = District | subdivision_name2 = [[Ōtorohanga District]] | subdivision_type3 = Ward | subdivision_name3 = Kāwhia-Tihiroa General Ward | subdivision_type4 = Community | subdivision_name4 = Kāwhia Community | leader_title = Territorial Authority | leader_name = [[Ōtorohanga District Council]] | leader_title1 = Regional council | leader_name1 = [[Waikato Regional Council]] | leader_title2 = [[Mayor of Ōtorohanga]] | leader_name2 = {{NZ officeholder data|Ōtorohanga District Mayor|y}} | leader_title3 = [[Taranaki-King Country|Taranaki-King Country MP]] | leader_name3 = {{NZ officeholder data|Taranaki-King Country MP|y}} | leader_title4 = [[Hauraki-Waikato|Hauraki-Waikato MP]] | leader_name4 = {{NZ officeholder data|Hauraki-Waikato MP|y}} | seat_type = Electorates | seat = {{ubl|[[Taranaki-King Country]]|[[Hauraki-Waikato]] ([[Māori electorates|Māori]])}} | area_footnotes = <ref name="Area"/> | area_total_km2 = 0.93 | population_footnotes = {{NZ population data 2018||||y}} | population_as_of = {{NZ population data 2018|||y}} | population_total = {{NZ population data 2018|Kawhia|y}} | population_density_km2 = auto | postal_code_type = Postcode | timezone = [[Time in New Zealand|NZST]] | utc_offset = +12 | timezone_DST = NZDT | utc_offset_DST = +13 | postal_code = 2451 | area_code = 07 | coordinates = {{coord|38|6|S|174|48|E|region:NZ|display=inline,title}} }}

'''Kawhia Harbour''' ({{langx|mi|Kāwhia}}) is one of three large natural inlets in the [[Tasman Sea]] coast of the [[Waikato]] region of [[New Zealand]]'s [[North Island]]. It is located to the south of [[Raglan Harbour]], [[Ruapuke]] and [[Aotea Harbour]], 40 kilometres southwest of [[Hamilton, New Zealand|Hamilton]]. Kawhia is part of the [[Ōtorohanga District]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stats.govt.nz/Census/2006-census.aspx|title=2006 Census data}}</ref> and is in the [[King Country]]. It has a high-tide area of {{Convert|68|km2|mi2|abbr=on}} and a low-tide area of {{Convert|18|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/services/publications/technical-reports/tr/tr201619/|title=Mapping residence times in west coast estuaries of the Waikato region|website=Waikato Regional Council|access-date=2017-12-14}}</ref> Te Motu Island is located in the harbour.

The settlement of Kawhia is located on the northern coast of the inlet, and was an important port in early colonial New Zealand.<ref name="kawhiaharbour">{{cite web|url=http://www.kawhiaharbour.co.nz/kawhia-history.html|title=Kawhia Harbour History|access-date=18 April 2016|archive-date=28 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160228182213/http://www.kawhiaharbour.co.nz/kawhia-history.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> The area of Kawhia comprises {{convert|40|to|50|acre|ha|order=flip}} and is the town block that was owned by the New Zealand Government. The government bought it from the [[New Zealand European|Europeans]] in 1880 "not from the original [[Māori people|Māori]] owners, but from a European who claimed ownership in payment of money owed by another European".<ref name="kawhiaharbour"/>

== History and culture == [[File:The waterfront, Kawhia, Waikato region, with St Elmo boarding house in foreground - Photograph taken by Jonathan Ltd (21400509299).jpg|thumb|right|Waterfront at Kawhia pictured between 1908 and 1915. St Elmo boarding house in the foreground.]] [[File:Nau Mai Ki Kāwhia Welcome sign.jpg|thumb|"Welcome to Kawhia" sign]]

===Early history===

Kawhia Harbour is the southernmost location where [[Agathis australis|kauri]] trees historically grew.<ref name="HaywardGum">{{cite book |last1=Hayward |first1=Bruce W. |author-link1=Bruce Hayward |title=Kauri Gum and the Gumdiggers |publisher=The Bush Press |date=1989 |isbn=0-908608-39-X |page=4}}</ref>

Kawhia is known in Māori lore as the final resting-place of the ancestral [[Waka (canoe)|waka]] (canoe) ''[[Tainui (canoe)|Tainui]]''. Soon after arrival, captain [[Hoturoa]] made it first priority to establish a whare wananga (sacred school of learning) which was named Ahurei. Ahurei is situated at the summit of the sacred hill behind Kawhia’s seaside marae – Maketu Marae. The harbour area was the birthplace of the prominent [[Māori people|Māori]] warrior chief [[Te Rauparaha]] of the [[Ngāti Toa]] tribe, who lived in the area until the 1820s, when he, and his tribe along with [[Ngāti Rārua]] and [[Ngāti Koata]] migrated southwards.{{cn|date=April 2025}}

Tainui was buried at the base of Ahurei by Hoturoa himself, and other members of the iwi. Hoturoa marked out the waka with two limestone pillars, which he blessed. Firstly, there is "Hani (Hani-a-te-waewae-i-kimi-atu) which is on the higher ground and marked the prow of the canoe". Marking the stern of the canoe, Hoturoa placed the symbol of Puna, the spirit-goddess of that creation story. "In full it is named Puna-whakatupu-tangata, and represents female fertility, the spring or source of humanity."{{cn|date=April 2025}}

===Marae===

Maketu Marae is located next to Kawhia Harbour. The main meeting house of the marae, Auau ki te Rangi, is named after Hoturoa’s father, who was a high chief (ariki) and was built and opened in 1962.<ref name="maorimaps">{{cite web |title=Māori Maps |url=https://maorimaps.com/map |website=maorimaps.com |publisher=Te Potiki National Trust}}</ref>

The eldest and most prestigious meeting house that was first built on Maketu Marae is Te Ruruhi (the Old Lady) which was used as the dining hall until 1986. It was replaced by a two-storey dining hall, Te Tini O Tainui, to cater for the large numbers that visit for occasions such as annual poukai, tangi and hui.<ref name="waitomotourism">{{cite web |title=Waitomo Tourism Facts |url=http://www.waitomo.org.nz/waitomo-region-facts.asp |website=waitomo.org.nz |publisher=Waitomo Tourism}}</ref> The marae is affiliated to Waikato through the [[hapū]] of [[Ngāti Mahuta]], with connections to Ngāti [[Apakura (Maniapoto)|Apakura]], Ngāti [[Hikairo]], and [[Ngāti Te Wehi]].<ref name="tkmentry">{{cite web|title=Te Kāhui Māngai directory|url= http://www.tkm.govt.nz/ |website=tkm.govt.nz|publisher=[[Te Puni Kōkiri]]}}</ref>

Six other marae are also based at or near Kawhia Harbour: * Mōkai Kainga Marae and Ko Te Mōkai meeting house is a meeting place for the Ngāti Maniapoto hapū of Apakura and Hikairo, and the Waikato Tainui hapū of [[Apakura (Waikato Tainui)|Apakura]]. * Mokoroa Marae and Ngā Roimata meeting house is a meeting place for the Waikato hapū of [[Ngati Kiriwai]]. * Ōkapu or Oakapu Marae and Te Kotahitanga o Ngāti Te Wehi meeting house is a meeting place for the Waikato hapū of Ngāti Mahuta and Ngāti Te Wehi. * Te Māhoe Marae is a meeting ground for the Ngāti Maniapoto hapū of [[Peehi]], [[Te Kanawa (Maniapoto)|Te Kanawa]], [[Te Urupare]] and [[Uekaha]]. * Waipapa Marae and Ngā Tai Whakarongorua and Takuhiahia meeting houses are a meeting place for the Ngāti Maniapoto hapū of Hikairo, and the Waikato Tainui hapū of [[Ngāti Hikairo (Waikato Tainui)|Ngāti Hikairo]] and [[Ngāti Puhiawe]].<ref name="maorimaps" /><ref name="tkmentry" /> *Rākaunui Marae and Moana Kahakore meeting house is on Ngati Tamainu (Waikato) land, the hapu of whichu are [[Ngati Kiriwai|Ngāti Te Kiriwai]], Ngati Huiarangi, Ngati Te Kanawa, and Ngati Mahuta). It also affiliates to [[Ngāti Ngutu]], [[Ngāti Paretekawa]] of Maniapoto, and Ngāti Apakura.

In October 2020, the Government committed $196,684 from the [[Provincial Growth Fund]] to upgrade Ōkapu Marae, creating 16 jobs.<ref name="maraepgf">{{cite web |title=Marae Announcements |url=https://www.growregions.govt.nz/assets/funding-announcements/marae-announcements.xlsx |website=growregions.govt.nz |publisher=[[Provincial Growth Fund]] |format=Excel |date=9 October 2020}}</ref>

=== European history === [[File:Rimu_at_Waiharakeke.jpg|thumb|{{Convert|265|ft|abbr=on}} long Waiharakeke bridge, where Harbour Rd crosses an arm of the harbour, opened in 1909]] The Kawhia Harbour area was important to the [[kauri gum]] trade of the late 19th/early 20th centuries, as it was the southernmost area where the gum could be found.<ref name="HaywardGum"/>

The Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser was established in May 1901 by [[William Murray Thompson]] and Thomas Elliott Wilson, who also ran the [[Milton, New Zealand|Bruce Herald]], [[Waimate]] Times, Egmont Settler<ref name=":02">{{Cite web|title=The Kawhia Settler|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/kawhia-settler-and-raglan-advertiser|url-status=|access-date=2021-10-22|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}</ref> (later briefly part of Taranaki Central Press at [[Stratford, New Zealand|Stratford]])<ref>{{Cite web|date=10 Feb 1937|title=TARANAKI CENTRAL PRESS|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TCP19370210.2.2.6|url-status=|access-date=2021-10-23|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Taranaki Central Press|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/taranaki-central-press|url-status=|access-date=2021-10-23|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}</ref> and the [[Mangaweka]] Settler. From 1909 [[Annie Jane Schnackenberg#Migration to New Zealand and Missionary Work|Edward Henry Schnackenberg]], whose father was a missionary here from 1858 to 1864, owned the paper, until it closed in April 1936.<ref name=":02" />

In January 2018, the health board issued a statement that there was no additional risk from tuberculosis in Kawhia after reports of three possible cases.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://waikatodhbnewsroom.co.nz/2018/01/19/no-risk-of-tuberculosis-in-kawhia-community/|title=No risk of Tuberculosis in Kawhia community {{!}} Waikato Newsroom|website=waikatodhbnewsroom.co.nz|language=en-US|access-date=2018-03-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/100688156/five-confirmed-cases-of-tuberculosis-from-kwhia|title=Five confirmed cases of tuberculosis from Kawhia|website=Stuff|date=20 January 2018|access-date=2018-01-21}}</ref>

== Demographics == [[Statistics New Zealand]] describes Kāwhia as a rural settlement, which covers {{Convert|0.93|km2||abbr=on}}.<ref name="Area">{{Cite web|title=Stats NZ Geographic Data Service|url=https://datafinder.stats.govt.nz/data/|at=Urban Rural 2023 (generalised)|access-date=27 April 2025}}</ref> It had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2018|Kawhia|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2018|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Kawhia|y}}|R}}/0.93|0}} people per km<sup>2</sup>. The settlement is part of the larger Pirongia Forest statistical area.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://statsnz.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/sidebar/index.html?appid=3a406ce8fbb14367ab5caae21c07ab8b|title=Geographic Boundary Viewer|publisher=Stats NZ|at=Urban Rural – 2023 and Statistical Area 2 – 2023}}</ref>

{{Historical populations|2006|390|2013|336|2018|384|2023|378|percentages=pagr|align=left|title=Historical population for Kawhia|source=<ref name="Census 2023"/><ref name="Census 2018">{{NZ census 2018|7012986–7012988}}</ref>}} Kāwhia had a population of 378 in the [[2023 New Zealand census]], a decrease of 6 people (−1.6%) since the [[2018 New Zealand census|2018 census]], and an increase of 42 people (12.5%) since the [[2013 New Zealand census|2013 census]]. There were 186 males and 192 females in 168 dwellings.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_005&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=doTotal%2Bdo1.1191.2023&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_DWD_003|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses}}</ref> 1.6% of people identified as [[LGBTQ|LGBTIQ+]]. The median age was 57.8 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 48 people (12.7%) aged under 15 years, 36 (9.5%) aged 15 to 29, 168 (44.4%) aged 30 to 64, and 126 (33.3%) aged 65 or older.<ref name="Census 2023"/>

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 58.7% [[European New Zealanders|European]] ([[Pākehā]]), 55.6% [[Māori people|Māori]], 6.3% [[Pasifika New Zealanders|Pasifika]], 1.6% [[Asian New Zealanders|Asian]], and 1.6% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 96.8%, Māori by 19.0%, Samoan by 0.8%, and other languages by 2.4%. No language could be spoken by 2.4% (e.g. too young to talk). [[New Zealand Sign Language]] was known by 1.6%. The percentage of people born overseas was 9.5, compared with 28.8% nationally.<ref name="Census 2023"/>

Religious affiliations were 28.6% [[Christianity in New Zealand|Christian]], 0.8% [[Hinduism in New Zealand|Hindu]], 3.2% [[Māori religious beliefs]], 0.8% [[New Age]], 0.8% [[Judaism in New Zealand|Jewish]], and 0.8% other religions. People who answered that they had [[Irreligion in New Zealand|no religion]] were 57.9%, and 8.7% of people did not answer the census question.<ref name="Census 2023"/>

Of those at least 15 years old, 42 (12.7%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 180 (54.5%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 114 (34.5%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $27,000, compared with $41,500 nationally. 21 people (6.4%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 102 (30.9%) full-time, 42 (12.7%) part-time, and 15 (4.5%) unemployed.<ref name="Census 2023">{{Cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_008&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=hq011%2Bhq010%2Bhq009%2Bhq008%2Bhq007%2Bhq006%2Bhq005%2Bhq004%2Bhq003%2Bhq002%2Bhq001%2Bhq000%2Bws1%2Bsp99%2Bra80%2Bra08%2Bra07%2Bra06%2Bra05%2Bra01%2Bra04%2Bra03%2Bra02%2Bra00%2Brb1%2Bls66%2Bls03%2Bls02%2Bls05%2Bls04%2Bls01%2Beg6%2Beg5%2Beg4%2Beg3%2Beg2%2Beg1%2BbiTotal%2Bbi0%2Bbi1%2BasTotalLG%2Bas4%2Bas3%2Bas2%2Bas1%2Bws4%2Bws3%2Bws2%2Bge3%2Bge2%2Bge1%2Brc%2BasMed%2BegTotal%2BlsTotal%2BgeTotal%2BrbTotal%2BraTotal%2BhqTotal%2BibTotal%2Bib7%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.1191.2013%2B2018%2B2023&to[TIME]=false&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_IND_003&ly[cl]=CEN23_YEAR_001|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses|at=Kāwhia (1191)}}</ref>

Before 2018, Kawhia was in its own statistical area<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://archive.stats.govt.nz/StatsMaps/Home/People%20and%20households/2013-census-quickstats-about-a-place-map.aspx|title=2013 Census map – QuickStats about a place|website=archive.stats.govt.nz|language=en-nz|access-date=2018-11-05|archive-date=3 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180403173441/http://archive.stats.govt.nz/StatsMaps/Home/People%20and%20households/2013-census-quickstats-about-a-place-map.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> {| class="wikitable" !Year !Population !Households !Median age !Median income !National median |- |2001 |507 |198 |44.1 |$12,100 |$18,500 |- |2006 |390 |171 |49.2 |$15,100 |$24,100 |- |2013 |339 |153 |53.8 |$19,200 |$27,900 |- |2018 |384<ref name="Census 2018"/> |162 |– |– |$31,800 |- |2023 |378<ref name="Census 2023"/> |168 |57.8 |$27,000 |$41,500 |} In 2013 231 dwellings were unoccupied.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://archive.stats.govt.nz/Census/2013-census/profile-and-summary-reports/quickstats-about-a-place.aspx|title=2013 Census QuickStats about a place|website=archive.stats.govt.nz|language=en-nz|access-date=2019-02-21|archive-date=28 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190628130132/http://archive.stats.govt.nz/Census/2013-census/profile-and-summary-reports/quickstats-about-a-place.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> In the much wider Pirongia Forest area, 396 dwellings were unoccupied in 2018,<ref name="Census 2018" /> when it was estimated that 70% of Kawhia's houses were holiday homes.<ref>{{Cite web|date=26 Jun 2018|title=Ōtorohanga District Council - Minutes|url=https://www.otodc.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/Minutes-and-Agendas/Otorohanga-District-Council-2018/ODC-180626-Minutes.pdf|url-status=dead|access-date=20 October 2021|archive-date=12 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212021122/http://www.otodc.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/Minutes-and-Agendas/Otorohanga-District-Council-2018/ODC-180626-Minutes.pdf}}</ref>

As of 2017, New Zealand's median [[Center of population|centre of population]] is located around one kilometre off the coast of Kawhia.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Three in four New Zealanders live in the North Island {{!}} Stats NZ|url=https://www.stats.govt.nz/news/three-in-four-new-zealanders-live-in-the-north-island|access-date=2021-01-12|website=www.stats.govt.nz}}</ref>

===Pirongia Forest statistical area=== Pirongia Forest statistical area, which also includes [[Hauturu, Waikato|Hauturu]], covers {{Convert|490.80|km2||abbr=on}}.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Stats NZ Geographic Data Service|url=https://datafinder.stats.govt.nz/data/|at=Statistical Area 2 2023 (generalised)|access-date=27 April 2025}}</ref> It had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Pirongia Forest|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Pirongia Forest|y}}|R}}/490.80|1}} people per km<sup>2</sup>.

{{Historical populations|2006|897|2013|828|2018|966|2023|984|percentages=pagr|align=left|title=Historical population for Pirongia Forest|source=<ref name="Census 2023 P"/><ref name="Census 2018 P">{{NZ census 2018|Pirongia Forest (185200)|pirongia-forest|Pirongia Forest}}</ref>}} Pirongia Forest had a population of 984 in the [[2023 New Zealand census]], an increase of 18 people (1.9%) since the [[2018 New Zealand census|2018 census]], and an increase of 156 people (18.8%) since the [[2013 New Zealand census|2013 census]]. There were 489 males and 495 females in 429 dwellings.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_005&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=doTotal%2Bdo1.185200.2023&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_DWD_003|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses}}</ref> 1.5% of people identified as [[LGBTQ|LGBTIQ+]]. The median age was 53.0 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 150 people (15.2%) aged under 15 years, 108 (11.0%) aged 15 to 29, 450 (45.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 279 (28.4%) aged 65 or older.<ref name="Census 2023 P"/>

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 63.1% [[European New Zealanders|European]] ([[Pākehā]]), 49.4% [[Māori people|Māori]], 4.0% [[Pasifika New Zealanders|Pasifika]], 1.8% [[Asian New Zealanders|Asian]], and 2.7% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 97.9%, Māori by 13.1%, Samoan by 0.6%, and other languages by 2.7%. No language could be spoken by 1.5% (e.g. too young to talk). [[New Zealand Sign Language]] was known by 0.6%. The percentage of people born overseas was 8.8, compared with 28.8% nationally.<ref name="Census 2023 P"/>

Religious affiliations were 26.5% [[Christianity in New Zealand|Christian]], 0.3% [[Hinduism in New Zealand|Hindu]], 3.7% [[Māori religious beliefs]], 0.3% [[Buddhism in New Zealand|Buddhist]], 0.3% [[New Age]], 0.3% [[Judaism in New Zealand|Jewish]], and 0.6% other religions. People who answered that they had [[Irreligion in New Zealand|no religion]] were 61.0%, and 7.6% of people did not answer the census question.<ref name="Census 2023 P"/>

Of those at least 15 years old, 108 (12.9%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 447 (53.6%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 270 (32.4%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $27,300, compared with $41,500 nationally. 45 people (5.4%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 312 (37.4%) full-time, 117 (14.0%) part-time, and 30 (3.6%) unemployed.<ref name="Census 2023 P">{{Cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_008&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=hq011%2Bhq010%2Bhq009%2Bhq008%2Bhq007%2Bhq006%2Bhq005%2Bhq004%2Bhq003%2Bhq002%2Bhq001%2Bhq000%2Bws1%2Bsp99%2Bra80%2Bra08%2Bra07%2Bra06%2Bra05%2Bra01%2Bra04%2Bra03%2Bra02%2Bra00%2Brb1%2Bls66%2Bls03%2Bls02%2Bls05%2Bls04%2Bls01%2Beg6%2Beg5%2Beg4%2Beg3%2Beg2%2Beg1%2BbiTotal%2Bbi0%2Bbi1%2BasTotalLG%2Bas4%2Bas3%2Bas2%2Bas1%2Bws4%2Bws3%2Bws2%2Bge3%2Bge2%2Bge1%2Brc%2BasMed%2BegTotal%2BlsTotal%2BgeTotal%2BrbTotal%2BraTotal%2BhqTotal%2BibTotal%2Bib7%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.185200.2013%2B2018%2B2023&to[TIME]=false&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_IND_003&ly[cl]=CEN23_YEAR_001|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses|at=Pirongia Forest (185200)}}</ref>

== Te Puia Hot Springs == {{For|the spring of the same name near [[Gisborne, New Zealand|Gisborne]]|Te Puia Springs}}

2 hours either side of low tide (for tide times, see tide-forecast.com)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tide-forecast.com/locations/Kawhia-New-Zealand/tides/latest|title=Tide Times and Tide Chart for Kawhia|website=www.tide-forecast.com}}</ref> about 100 m off the [[Tasman Sea]] beach, 4&nbsp;km from Kawhia (see 1:50,000 map<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.topomap.co.nz/NZTopoMap/nz53172/Te-Puia-Springs/|title=Te Puia Springs, Waikato|website=NZ Topo Map|language=en|access-date=2020-01-13}}</ref>), oozes hot water, which can be formed into shallow bathing pools with a spade.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nzhotpools.co.nz/hot-pools/kawhia-springs-te-puia-springs|title = Kawhia Springs (Te Puia Springs)}}</ref>

A council sample taken on 30 March 2006 listed these in the water.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/PageFiles/5440/tr0801.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630065342/http://www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/PageFiles/5440/tr0801.pdf|archive-date=30 June 2016|title=Interpretation of Geochemical Data (REGEMP II) and Recommendations for Further Monitoring|publisher=Environment Waikato}}</ref> {| class="wikitable" |- ! Site !! [[Carbonic acid|pH]] !! [[Lithium|Li]] !! [[Sodium|Na]] !! [[Potassium|K]] !! [[Calcium|Ca]] !! [[Magnesium|Mg]] !! [[Rubidium|Rb]] !! [[Chlorine|Cl]] !! [[Sulfate|SO<sub>4</sub>]] !! [[Boron|B]] !! [[Silicon dioxide|SiO<sub>2</sub>]] !! [[Ammonium|NH<sub>4</sub>]] !! [[Bicarbonate|HCO<sub>3</sub>]] !! [[Sulfur|S]] Total !! [[Fluorine|F]] !! [[Iron|Fe]] !! [[Oxygen-18|<sup>18</sup>O]][[Vienna Standard Mean Ocean Water|<sub>VSMOW</sub>]] || d[[Isotopes of hydrogen#Hydrogen-2 (Deuterium)|<sup>2</sup>H]]<sub>VSMOW</sub> || [[Bromine|Br]] |- | Te Puia || 7.9 || 9.21.71 || 3870 || 121 || 2150 || 107 || 0.094 || 9540 || 724 || 7.5 || 34.3 || 2.17 || 25 || 0.712 || 0.62 || 0.1 || -2.66 || -21.7 || 29.6 |} <gallery mode="packed" heights="180px"> File:Te Puia Springs are on the beach to the right from this track across the dunes.JPG|Te Puia Springs are on the beach to the right from this track across the dunes. File:Te Puia springs on beach.jpg|about 100 metres of beach oozes hot water, which is uncovered for about 4 hours at spring low tides, but not at [[Tide#Range variation: springs and neaps|neap tides]]. </gallery>

== Kawhia County Council == [[File:Former_Kawhia_County_Council_office_in_2020.jpg|thumb|Former Kawhia County Council office in 2020, now Kāwhia Museum]] Kawhia County Council was formed in 1905<ref>{{Cite web|date=7 Jul 1905|title=KAWHIA COUNTY ELECTION. WAIKATO ARGUS|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WAIGUS19050707.2.11|url-status=|access-date=2021-10-20|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}</ref> and first met on 12 July 1905.<ref>{{Cite web|date=14 Jul 1905|title=Kawhia County Council. KAWHIA SETTLER AND RAGLAN ADVERTISER|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/KSRA19050714.2.15|url-status=|access-date=2021-10-20|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}</ref> New offices were built by Buchanan Bros in 1915-16 over the former beach,<ref>{{Cite web|date=29 Oct 1915|title=Local and General. KAWHIA SETTLER AND RAGLAN ADVERTISER|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/KSRA19151029.2.7|url-status=|access-date=2021-10-20|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}</ref> and designed by Hamilton architects and engineers, Warren and Blechynden.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2008|title=Kawhia Museum Maintenance Plan|url=https://www.nzia.co.nz/practice/laura-kellaway/5195/projects/kawhiamuseummaintenanceplan/907|url-status=|access-date=2021-10-20|website=NZ Institute of Architects (www.nzia.co.nz)}}</ref> In 1923, Kawhia County covered {{Convert|330|mi2|abbr=on}} and had a population of 1,098, with {{Convert|52|mi|abbr=on}} of [[gravel road]]s, {{Convert|95|mi|abbr=on}} of mud roads and {{Convert|125|mi|abbr=on}} of tracks.<ref>{{Cite web|date=3 Aug 1923|title=KAWHIA SETTLER AND RAGLAN ADVERTISER Main Highways - Conference at Hamilton|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/KSRA19230803.2.27|url-status=|access-date=2021-10-16|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}</ref> Kawhia Town Board was formed in 1906, with an area of 470 acres (190 ha). Its population in 1923 was 195, when it had 6&nbsp;mi 14 ch (9.9&nbsp;km) of streets and a 10 acres (4.0 ha) domain.<ref>{{Cite book|last=|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.6961|title=The Municipal Handbook Of New Zealand 1924.|date=}}</ref> The County merged into Ōtorohanga and Waitomo in 1956, after a Local Government Commission inquiry.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Jane Luiten|date=January 2011|title=Local Government in Te Rohe Potae|url=https://forms.justice.govt.nz/search/Documents/WT/wt_DOC_792796/Wai%20898%2C%20A024.pdf|url-status=|website=Waitangi Tribunal}}</ref>

== Kāwhia Community Board == The [[Community boards in New Zealand|Community Board]] meets monthly<ref>{{Cite web|title=Kāwhia Community Board - Ōtorohanga District Council|url=https://www.otodc.govt.nz/council/meetings-agendas-minutes/kawhia-community-board/|access-date=2021-10-20|website=www.otodc.govt.nz}}</ref> and consists of 4 members, plus the Kāwhia - Tihiroa Ward councillor. Three members are elected from the Kawhia area and one from Aotea.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Kāwhia Community Board Elected Members - Ōtorohanga District Council|url=https://www.otodc.govt.nz/council/elected-members-governance/kawhia-community-board-elected-members/|access-date=2021-10-20|website=www.otodc.govt.nz}}</ref> [[File:Kāwhia_Pou_Maumahara_was_unveiled_in_2016.jpg|thumb|Pou Maumahara unveiled in 2016]]

== Pou Maumahara == In 2016, a {{Convert|5|m|abbr=on}} tall [[Pouwhenua|pou]] maumahara (remembrance pillar) was put up at Omimiti Reserve, behind the museum. Te Kuiti Stewart began carving it in 2014, from a [[Pureora Forest Park|Pureora Forest]] [[Podocarpus totara|totara]]. It represents 150 years of [[Māori King Movement|Kīngitanga]] on one side and the [[Elizabeth Henrietta (1816 ship)|Elizabeth Henrietta]]'s 1824 arrival, on the other. At night it is floodlit, with coloured LED lights inside.<ref>{{Cite web|date=13 Dec 2016|title=Pou unveiled on foreshore. Te Awamutu Courier|url=https://www.teawamutu.nz/courier/archive/2016/2016-12-13.pdf|url-status=}}</ref> [[File:Kawhia_hospital_in_1963.jpg|thumb|Kawhia hospital in 1963, with Te Maika and Albatross Point in the distance and the Methodist Church near the centre]]

== Hospital == Kawhia hospital overlooked the town, on the site of Te Puru pa,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Hospital Hill|url=https://collection.tamuseum.org.nz/objects/23669/hospital-hill|access-date=2021-10-20|website=Te Awamutu Museum Collection Online|language=en}}</ref> which became the [[New Zealand Defence Force#Evolution of volunteers and militia|Armed Constabulary]] [[redoubt]] in 1863.<ref>{{Cite web|date=9 Mar 1928|title=After Forty Years. KAWHIA SETTLER AND RAGLAN ADVERTISER|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/KSRA19280309.2.22|url-status=|access-date=2021-10-20|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}</ref> Like the County Office, the hospital was also designed by Warren and Blechynden and opened in 1918.<ref>{{Cite web|date=19 Mar 1918|title=KAWHIA COTTAGE HOSPITAL. WAIKATO TIMES|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT19180319.2.29|url-status=|access-date=2021-10-20|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}</ref> It was still a [[cottage hospital]] in 1948,<ref>{{Cite web|date=12 Apr 1948|title=OTAGO DAILY TIMES|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ODT19480412.2.8.6|url-status=|access-date=2021-10-20|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}</ref> but had become a maternity hospital by 1959<ref>{{Cite web|date=16 Apr 1959|title=PRESS|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19590416.2.180.8|url-status=|access-date=2021-10-20|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}</ref> and closed in March 1967.<ref>{{Cite web|date=Sep 1969|title=A Review of Hospital and Related Services in New Zealand|url=https://www.moh.govt.nz/notebook/nbbooks.nsf/0/5C05938CA2D6B6EA4C2565D70018F567/$file/36151.pdf|url-status=|website=Ministry of Health}}</ref>

==Education==

Kāwhia School is a Year 1–8 co-educational state primary school.<ref name="official">{{cite web |title=Official School Website |url=http://www.kawhia.school.nz |website=kawhia.school.nz}}</ref><ref name="moe">{{TKI|1771|Kāwhia School}}</ref> It is a [[Socioeconomic decile|decile 1]] school with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|1771|y}} as of {{NZ school roll data|||y|y||.}}<ref name="ero">{{cite web |title=Education Review Office Report |url=http://www.ero.govt.nz/report-view?id=1771 |website=ero.govt.nz |publisher=[[Education Review Office]] |url-status=dead }}</ref>

A Kawhia School was established in 1845.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZ18460808.2.9.1?query=Kawhia+school|title=Kawhia|newspaper=New Zealander|date=8 August 1946}}</ref> In 1863, the school was described as 'mixed' (racially). It was taught by [[Annie Schnackenberg|Annie Allen]] and supervised by her future husband, Cort Schnackenberg.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZ18631222.2.25?query=Kawhia+school|title=Native Schools—Kawhia School|newspaper=New Zealander|date=22 December 1863}}</ref> The school, by then called Kawhia Native School, closed in 1904 in favour of the public school at [[Te Maika]] on the southern head of Kawhia Harbour.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19040121.2.85?query=Kawhia+native+school|title=News From Country Districts—Kawhia|newspaper=[[New Zealand Herald]]|date=21 January 1904}}</ref> The current Kāwhia School moved to its present site in 1922.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kawhia.school.nz/files/1e7f5ced90b58344/file_attachments/9/Kawhia_Primary_School_2015_updated_14_april_2015.pdf|title=Charter 2015-2017|publisher=Kāwhia School|year=2015|page=5}}</ref>

== Notable people == * [[Te Rangihaeata]], chief, born about 1780 * [[John Rodolphus Kent|John Kent]], European trader, 1820s–1830s * [[John Whiteley (missionary)|John Whiteley]], Cort and [[Annie Jane Schnackenberg]], missionaries<ref>{{DNZB|title=Annie Jane Schnackenberg|first= Megan|last= Hutching|id=2s6|access-date=16 March 2012}}</ref> * [[Hoana Riutoto]], signatory of Treaty of Waitangi * [[Jim Rukutai]], rugby player, born about 1877 * [[Mary Reidy]], sister at Kawhia Hospital 1921–1947 * [[Carole Shepheard]] (born 1945), artist

== See also ==

* [[State Highway 31 (New Zealand)|SH31]] * [[Kairuku waewaeroa]], extinct giant penguin {{Geographic Location|title='''Neighbouring areas'''|noicon=|width=auto|Northwest=[[Ruapuke]]|North=''[[Lake Parangi]]''|Northeast=''[[Aotea Harbour]]''|West=''[[Tasman Sea]]''|Centre=Kawhia|East=[[Oparau River|Ōpārau]]|South=[[Hauturu, Waikato|Hauturu]]|Southeast=''[[Awaroa River (Kawhia Harbour tributary)|Awaroa River]]''|South-west=[[Taharoa]]}}

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links == {{Commons category}} * [https://onehera.waikato.ac.nz/nodes/view/1805?keywords=&type=all 1911 map of Kawhia County]

{{Ōtorohanga District}} {{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kawhia Harbour}} [[Category:Ōtorohanga District]] [[Category:Geography of Waikato]] [[Category:Ports and harbours of New Zealand]] [[Category:Kauri gum]]