{{for|the 14th century Queen of Lang Xang|Nang Keo Phimpha}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=April 2022}} {{Infobox settlement |name = Kaeo |other_name = ''Kāeo'' (Māori) |motto = Small town, big spirit |area_total_km2 = 1.39 |area_footnotes = <ref name="Area"/> |population_footnotes = {{NZ population data 2018||||y}} |population_as_of = {{NZ population data 2018|||y}} |population_total = {{NZ population data 2018|Kaeo|y}} |population_density_km2 = auto |subdivision_type = Country |subdivision_name = New Zealand |subdivision_type1= Region |subdivision_name1= Northland Region |subdivision_type2= District |subdivision_name2= Far North District |subdivision_type3= Ward |subdivision_name3= Bay of Islands-Whangaroa |subdivision_type4= Community |subdivision_name4= Bay of Islands-Whangaroa |subdivision_type5= Subdivision |subdivision_name5= Whangaroa |leader_title = Territorial Authority |leader_name = Far North District Council |leader_title1 = Regional council |leader_name1 = Northland Regional Council |leader_title2 = Mayor of Far North |leader_name2 = {{NZ officeholder data|Far North District Mayor|y}} |leader_title3 = Northland MP |leader_name3 = {{NZ officeholder data|Northland MP|y}} |leader_title4 = Te Tai Tokerau MP |leader_name4 = {{NZ officeholder data|Te Tai Tokerau MP|y}} |seat_type = Electorates |seat = {{ubl|Northland|Te Tai Tokerau}} | mapframe = yes | mapframe-zoom = 9 |coordinates = {{coord|35|6|S|173|47|E|region:NZ|display=inline,title}} |postal_code_type = Postcode |postal_code = 0478 }}
'''Kaeo''' (Māori: ''Kāeo'') is a township in the Far North District of New Zealand, located some {{Convert|22|km|abbr=on}} northwest of Kerikeri. The town's name comes from the Māori-language name of the New Zealand freshwater mussel, which is found in nearby rivers.
Sanfords Fishery factory, one of the main employers in Kaeo, closed in December 2011.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503450&objectid=11048249 |title=66 jobs to go at Kaeo oyster plant|work= The Northern Advocate |date=6 December 2011}}</ref>
A new bridge on {{NZlSH|10}} across the Kaio River was opened in February 2024 to reduce queuing and improve traffic safety.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://tehiku.nz/te-hiku-radio/tautinei/42705/update-kaeo-bridge|title=UPDATE: Kāeo Bridge|date=14 December 2023|publisher=Te Hiku Radio}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://insidegovernment.co.nz/new-kaeo-bridge-opens-for-far-north/|title=New Kāeo Bridge opens for Far North|publisher=Inside Government|date=24 February 2024}}</ref>
== History and culture ==
===Pre-European settlement===
thumb|Pā site Pohue-nui of the Ngati Uru tribe. As seen behind an old house from the east, near SH 10, in February 2013. Kaeo used to be a fortified village ''pā'' of the Ngati Uru sub-tribe. This tribe arrived in the Whangaroa Harbour as late as 1770–1775, having been driven out of the Rawhiti area of the Bay of Islands, after killing and eating Captain Marion du Fresne and his crew.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.jps.auckland.ac.nz/document/Volume_5_1896/Supplement_to_the_Journal_of_the_Polynesian_Society-_The_peopling_of_the_North%3A_notes_on_the_ancient_Maori_history_of_the_northern_peninsula_and_sketches_of_the_history_of_the_Ngati-Whatua_tribe_of_Kaipara/p1 |title=The Peopling of the North |journal=Journal of the Polynesian Society |volume=5 |issue=Supplement |date=1896 |archive-date=12 September 2013 |access-date=4 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130912065319/http://www.jps.auckland.ac.nz/document/Volume_5_1896/Supplement_to_the_Journal_of_the_Polynesian_Society-_The_peopling_of_the_North:_notes_on_the_ancient_Maori_history_of_the_northern_peninsula_and_sketches_of_the_history_of_the_Ngati-Whatua_tribe_of_Kaipara/p1 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
===European settlement===
Wesleydale, the first Wesleyan Methodist mission in New Zealand, was established by Samuel Leigh and William White at Kaeo in June 1823, then abandoned in January 1827 after it was sacked by local Māori.<ref>{{cite web |title=Wesleyan mission established |url= https://nzhistory.govt.nz/wesleyan-mission-established |work=New Zealand History |publisher=Ministry for Culture and Heritage |access-date=21 August 2017 |date=12 January 2018}}</ref> A memorial cairn marks the site of the mission adjacent to the cemetery on the south side of the Kaeo River.
===Flooding===
Kaeo is built on the flood plain of the Kaeo River and has experienced destructive flooding. It came to national attention in 2007 when it took the brunt of three major floods within the space of a few months - in February, March and July. Water flooded homes and shops and destroyed the primary school's pool complex. The local rugby clubrooms also suffered, and the club received support from the whole country as it raised funds to lift the clubrooms off the ground to minimise the risk of damage from further flooding.<ref name=calltostop>{{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10494556 |title=Call to stop town flooding a fourth time |work= The New Zealand Herald |date=26 February 2008}}</ref>
Landslips, fallen power lines, and road closures resulted from heavy rain in February 2008. The Northland Regional Council scheduled flood-protection work for 2008, but in 2011 was still waiting on various consents.<ref name=calltostop /><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/regional/67351/kaeo-people-frustrated-by-continual-flooding |title=Kaeo people frustrated by continual flooding |publisher=Radio New Zealand |date=31 January 2011 |access-date=3 February 2011}}</ref> Floods occurred as a result of Cyclone Wilma in January 2011, and 70 people had to be evacuated from Kaeo.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10702915 |title=Wilma departs leaving big clean up |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=29 January 2011}}</ref>
In November 2025, the national water regulator Taumata Arowai took over Kāeo's drinking water supply from private contractor, Wai Care Environmental Consultants, and ordered the Far North District Council to operate it. The town had been under a boil water notice for the past ten years and lacked running water.<ref>{{cite news |last1=de Graaf |first1=Peter |title=Taumata Arowai takes control of Kāeo water supply after 10-year boil-water notice |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/579255/taumata-arowai-takes-control-of-kaeo-water-supply-after-10-year-boil-water-notice |access-date=19 November 2025 |work=RNZ |date=18 November 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251118144300/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/579255/taumata-arowai-takes-control-of-kaeo-water-supply-after-10-year-boil-water-notice |archive-date=18 November 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref>
==Notable buildings== thumb|Kaeo Post Office shortly after opening The Kaeo Post Office is a wooden Edwardian building constructed in 1912. The building served many additional functions until it closed in May 1989 following the Fourth Labour Government's economic reforms. It was refurbished in 2012 and as of 2020 operates as a community centre and library.<ref name="quarterly">{{cite magazine|page=14–5|title=Kaeo Post Office building listed|first1=John|last1=O'Hare|date=Spring 2020|magazine=Heritage Quarterly}}</ref> ===Marae===
The Kaeo area has two marae affiliated with multiple iwi:
*Waihapa Marae and Te Tai Tokerau meeting house are affiliated with the Ngāti Kahu ki Whangaroa hapū of Riwhi and Te Pania, and the Ngāpuhi / Ngāti Kahu ki Whaingaroa hapū of Ngāti Rangimatamomoe and Whānau Pani.<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><ref name="maorimaps">{{cite web |title=Māori Maps |url=https://maorimaps.com/map |website=maorimaps.com |publisher=Te Potiki National Trust}}</ref>{{tertiarysourceinline|date=November 2024}} In October 2020, the Government committed $180,904 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade Waihapa Marae, creating 12 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> *Mangawhero Marae and Te Aroha meeting house are affiliated with the Ngāti Kahu ki Whangaroa hapū of Ngāti Rangimatamomoe and Te Hōia, and the Ngāpuhi / Ngāti Kahu ki Whaingaroa hapū of Kaitore, Ngāti Hōia and Ngāti Rangi.
There are two marae affiliated with Ngāti Kahu ki Whangaroa hapū:
* Ōtangaroa (Mangawhero) Marae and Te Aroha meeting house are affiliated with the hapū of Ngāti Rangimatamomoe and Te Hōia. * Waitāruke Marae and Kahukura Ariki meeting house are affiliated with Hāhi Katorika.<ref name="tkmentry" /><ref name="maorimaps" />{{tertiarysourceinline|date=November 2024}}
There are seven marae affiliated with Ngāpuhi / Ngāti Kahu ki Whaingaroa hapū:
* Mangaiti Marae and Tau te Rangimarie meeting house are affiliated with Ngāti Pākahi and Ngāti Uru. * Mangatōwai Marae is affiliated with Ngāti Aukiwa. * Matangirau Marae and Karangahape meeting house are affiliated with Ngāti Kawau-Kaitangata. * Pupuke Marae and Te Huia meeting house are affiliated with Ngāti Pākahi, Ngāti Uru and Whānau Pani. * Tahawai Marae and Te Awaroa meeting house are affiliated with Tahaawai. * Te Pātūnga Marae and Te Watea meeting house are affiliated with Ngāti Pākahi, Ngāti Uru, Te Aeto and Whānau Pani. * Whakaari Marae is affiliated with Ngāti Kawau.<ref name="tkmentry" /><ref name="maorimaps" />{{tertiarysourceinline|date=November 2024}}
== Demographics == Statistics New Zealand describes Kāeo as a rural settlement. It covers {{Convert|1.39|km2||abbr=on}}<ref name="Area"/> and had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2018|Kaeo|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2018|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Kaeo|y}}|R}}/1.39|0}} people per km<sup>2</sup>. The settlement is part of the larger Kaeo statistical area.
{{Historical populations|2006|171|2013|180|2018|228|2023|249|percentages=pagr|align=left|title=Historical population for Kāeo settlement|source=<ref name="Census 2018">{{NZ census 2018|7000132}}</ref><ref name="Census 2023"/>}} Kāeo had a population of 249 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 21 people (9.2%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 69 people (38.3%) since the 2013 census. There were 135 males and 114 females in 84 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%2Bdo1.1016.2023&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> 1.2% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 32.9 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 72 people (28.9%) aged under 15 years, 36 (14.5%) aged 15 to 29, 105 (42.2%) aged 30 to 64, and 36 (14.5%) aged 65 or older.<ref name="Census 2023"/>
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 50.6% European (Pākehā), 73.5% Māori, 9.6% Pasifika, and 1.2% Asian. English was spoken by 95.2%, Māori language by 19.3%, and other languages by 1.2%. No language could be spoken by 2.4% (e.g. too young to talk). The percentage of people born overseas was 6.0, compared with 28.8% nationally.
Religious affiliations were 20.5% Christian and 14.5% Māori religious beliefs. People who answered that they had no religion were 56.6%, and 7.2% of people did not answer the census question.
Of those at least 15 years old, 9 (5.1%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 105 (59.3%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 60 (33.9%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $29,400, compared with $41,500 nationally. 6 people (3.4%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 72 (40.7%) people were employed full-time, 24 (13.6%) were part-time, and 9 (5.1%) were 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%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.1016.2013%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=Kāeo (1016)}}</ref>
===Kāeo statistical area=== Kāeo statistical area covers {{Convert|255.56|km2||abbr=on}}<ref name="Area">{{Cite web|title=ArcGIS Web Application|url=https://statsnz.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=6f49867abe464f86ac7526552fe19787| access-date=23 December 2023|website=statsnz.maps.arcgis.com}}</ref> and had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Kaeo|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Kaeo|y}}|R}}/255.56|1}} people per km<sup>2</sup>.
{{Historical populations|2006|1,077|2013|1,005|2018|1,191|2023|1,299|percentages=pagr|align=left|title=Historical population for Kāeo statistical area|source=<ref name="Census 2018 K">{{NZ census 2018|Kaeo (101900)|kaeo|Kaeo}}</ref><ref name="Census 2023 K"/>}} Kāeo statistical area had a population of 1,299 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 108 people (9.1%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 294 people (29.3%) since the 2013 census. There were 681 males, 615 females and 3 people of other genders in 438 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%2Bdo1.101900.2023&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> 1.8% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 44.3 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 276 people (21.2%) aged under 15 years, 180 (13.9%) aged 15 to 29, 600 (46.2%) aged 30 to 64, and 240 (18.5%) aged 65 or older.<ref name="Census 2023 K"/>
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 67.0% European (Pākehā); 51.5% Māori; 6.0% Pasifika; 1.6% Asian; 0.2% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.1% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 96.5%, Māori language by 15.2%, Samoan by 0.2% and other languages by 5.1%. No language could be spoken by 1.8% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.5%. The percentage of people born overseas was 12.9, compared with 28.8% nationally.
Religious affiliations were 22.6% Christian, 0.2% Hindu, 8.8% Māori religious beliefs, 0.5% Buddhist, 0.9% New Age, and 0.7% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 60.0%, and 6.2% of people did not answer the census question.
Of those at least 15 years old, 93 (9.1%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 582 (56.9%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 315 (30.8%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $27,800, compared with $41,500 nationally. 27 people (2.6%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 387 (37.8%) people were employed full-time, 135 (13.2%) were part-time, and 33 (3.2%) were unemployed.<ref name="Census 2023 K">{{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%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.101900.2013%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=Kāeo (101900)}}</ref>
== Education == Kaeo Public School was built in 1877. It moved to the current Kaeo School site some years later. In 1941 it became Kaeo District High School, taking both primary and secondary students. It became a primary school when Whangaroa College opened in 1969.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://kaeoprimary.school.nz/our-school/ |title=Our school |publisher=Kaeo School |access-date=2 April 2015 }}</ref> Kaeo School is now a coeducational contributing primary (years 1–6) school,<ref>{{TKI|1019|Kaeo School}}</ref> with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|1019|y}} students as of {{NZ school roll data|||y|y||.}} The principal is Paul Barker.
Whangaroa College is a coeducational secondary (years 7–15) school<ref>{{TKI|4|Whangaroa College}}</ref> on a site adjacent to Kaeo School. It has a roll of {{NZ school roll data|4|y}} students as of {{NZ school roll data|||y|y||.}} The principal since 2015 is Jack Anderson.
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == * [http://www.whangaroa.co.nz/Kaeo.cfm Kaeo] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122183935/http://www.whangaroa.co.nz/Kaeo.cfm |date=22 January 2021 }}, Whangaroa Community Development * [https://kaeoprimary.school.nz/ Kaeo School]
{{Far North District}}
Category:Far North District Category:Populated places in the Northland Region