# Ruapuke

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> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruapuke
> Source revision: 1311510803
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{{for|the New Zealand island of the same name|Ruapuke Island}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=July 2019}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                            = 
| official_name                   = Ruapuke
| motto                           = 
| image_skyline                   = File:Ruapuke from Karioi summit.jpg
| image_caption                   = Ruapuke from Karioi summit, with [Aotea Harbour](/source/Aotea_Harbour) and Albatross Point beyond
| pushpin_map                     = New Zealand
| pushpin_map_alt                 = 
| subdivision_type                = [Country](/source/Countries_of_the_world)
| subdivision_type1               = [Region](/source/List_of_regions_in_New_Zealand)
| subdivision_name                = New Zealand
| subdivision_name1               = [Waikato](/source/Waikato)
| subdivision_type2               = [Territorial authority](/source/Territorial_authorities_of_New_Zealand)
| subdivision_name2               = [Waikato District](/source/Waikato_District)
| subdivision_type3               = Wards
| subdivision_name3               = {{ubl|Whaingaroa General Ward|Tai Runga Takiwaa Maaori Ward}}
| subdivision_type4               = Community Board
| subdivision_name4               = Raglan Community Board
| leader_title                    = Territorial Authority
| leader_name                     = [Waikato District Council](/source/Waikato_District_Council)
| leader_title1                   = Regional council
| leader_name1                    = [Waikato Regional Council](/source/Waikato_Regional_Council)
| leader_title2                   = [Mayor of Waikato](/source/Mayor_of_Waikato)
| leader_name2                    = {{NZ officeholder data|Waikato District Mayor|y}}
| leader_title3                   = [Taranaki-King Country MP](/source/Taranaki-King_Country)
| leader_name3                    = {{NZ officeholder data|Taranaki-King Country MP|y}}
| leader_title4                   = [Hauraki-Waikato MP](/source/Hauraki-Waikato)
| leader_name4                    = {{NZ officeholder data|Hauraki-Waikato MP|y}}
| seat_type                       = Electorates
| seat                            = {{ubl|[Taranaki-King Country](/source/Taranaki-King_Country)|[Hauraki-Waikato](/source/Hauraki-Waikato) (Māori)}}
| utc_offset                      = +12
| timezone                        = [NZST](/source/New_Zealand_Standard_Time)
| timezone_DST                    = [NZDT](/source/New_Zealand_Daylight_Time)
| utc_offset_DST                  = +13
| coordinates                     = {{coord|-37.91351|174.78702|region:NZ|display=inline,title}}
| population_footnotes            = 
| postal_code                     = 3296
| population_total                = 138
| population_as_of                = 2023
}}
thumb|Ruapuke Papanui Pt and Swann Access Rd carpark
'''Ruapuke''' is a small [farming](/source/farming) community (predominantly sheep and cattle farmers) in the [Waikato](/source/Waikato) region on the slopes of [Karioi](/source/Karioi), between [Raglan](/source/Raglan%2C_New_Zealand) and [Kawhia](/source/Kawhia) in [New Zealand](/source/New_Zealand).

== History ==
The introduction to 'Ruapuke' says, "The greater part of the Ruapuke District is of a sandy loam, and at one time carried a large population of Maoris, as is evidenced by old [pas](/source/P%C4%81), great heaps of shells, warehouse sites and numerous [kumara](/source/Sweet_potato) storage pits. When the first Europeans arrived the sandy country was covered with patches of light bush, with a big proportion of [Karaka](/source/Karaka_(tree)), [Pūriri](/source/P%C5%ABriri), and [Cabbage trees](/source/Cordyline_australis). The balance was covered with [Tauhinu](/source/Cassinia), [Teatree](/source/Leptospermum_scoparium), Flax and Fern. The clay portion of the district, (inland and on the slopes of Mt Karioi) was in heavy bush."<ref name=":0">Ruapuke: F J Trolove first printed 1970 lists 22 families living in Ruapuke in 1969, including chapters on Swann, Thomson, Jackson, Ward, Given and Trolove</ref> The archaeological map shows over 40 sites in the area.<ref>{{Cite web|title = NZAA Site Viewer|url = http://nzaa.eaglegis.co.nz/NZAAPublic/|website = nzaa.eaglegis.co.nz|access-date = 2016-01-08|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090626044726/http://nzaa.eaglegis.co.nz/NZAAPublic/|archive-date = 2009-06-26}}</ref> The European settlers, George Charlton and his sons-in-law, Captains Swann and Liddell, arrived in the 1850s. [1]

The {{Convert|4413|acre||abbr=on}} Ruapuke block was bought by the government from Ngāti Whakamarurangi between 1854 and 1856 for £300. A [Waitangi Tribunal](/source/Waitangi_Tribunal) report says, "''[McLean](/source/Donald_McLean_(New_Zealand_politician)) appears to have applied pressure on Māori sellers to induce them to accept a price they had previously rejected . . . We find that, in this way, the Crown failed to act honourably and in good faith''".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://forms.justice.govt.nz/search/Documents/WT/wt_DOC_142124627/Te%20Mana%20Whatu%20Ahuru.pdf|title=Te Mana Whatu Ahuru Waitangi Tribunal Report 2018}}</ref>

Ruapuke had a school from 1877 till 1954.<ref name=":0" /> The school was rebuilt in 1937.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19370410.2.98|title=NEW SCHOOL OPENED, New Zealand Herald|date=10 April 1937|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|access-date=2019-02-09}}</ref> It has been replaced by a school bus.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Buses|url = http://www.temataraglan.school.nz/buses.html|website = Te Mata School|access-date = 2016-01-08}}</ref>thumb|Papanui Point, with Ruapuke beach to the southThere was a store at Motakotako from the 1860s. From about 1875 to 1883 it was run by [John William Ellis](/source/John_William_Ellis), who later founded [Ellis & Burnand](/source/Ellis_and_Burnand). Another store opened briefly in the 1890s.<ref name=":0" />

From 1873<ref>{{cite news|url= https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH18731125.2.10|title=NEW ZEALAND HERALD|date=25 Nov 1873|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|access-date=2019-02-09}}</ref> until the 1900s there were up to three [flaxmills](/source/Flax_in_New_Zealand) running.<ref name=":0" />

== Demographics ==
thumb|Ruapuke from Karioi summit.The area north of Ruapuke Beach Rd is in [meshblock](/source/meshblock) 0861502 (N) and south of it in 0861800 (S). They had these census figures<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://archive.stats.govt.nz/StatsMaps/Home/Maps/2013-census-quickstats-about-a-place-map.aspx?url=/StatsMaps/Home/Maps/2013-census-quickstats-about-a-place-map.aspx&viewer=viewer_config_2013_Live.txt&webmap=map_config.txt&layerId=1&featureId=527700|title=2013 Census map – QuickStats about a place|website=archive.stats.govt.nz|language=en-nz|access-date=2018-01-29}}</ref> -
{| class="wikitable"
|
! colspan="3" |Population
! colspan="3" |Households
! colspan="2" |Median age
! colspan="2" |Average income
!National average
|-
!Year
!N
!S
!total
!N
!S
!total
!N
!S
!N
!S
|
|-
|2001
|60
|57
|117
|24
|15
|39
|39.5
|37.5
|$22,500
|$12,500
|$18,500
|-
|2006
|39
|69
|108
|18
|21
|49
|40
|34
|$28,300
|$15,400
|$24,100
|-
|2013
|54
|60
|114
|27
|24
|51
|43.8
|41.5
|$32,500
|$20,800
|$27,900
|-
|2018
|66
|69
|135<ref>{{NZ census meshblock 2018|0861502 and 0861800}}</ref>
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|2023
|63
|75
|138<ref>{{Cite web|title=Stats NZ Geographic Data Service|url=https://datafinder.stats.govt.nz/data/|at=2023 Census electoral population at meshblock level (2025 Meshblock)|access-date=28 March 2025}}</ref>
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|}

== Roads ==
Ruapuke is about {{Convert|12|km||abbr=on}} from Te Mata.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.google.com/maps/dir/-37.9029515,174.800508/Te+Mata,+Raglan+3295/@-37.8828102,174.8068241,13z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m9!4m8!1m0!1m5!1m1!1s0x6d132a6eace00b63:0x4334c4cf7312a888!2m2!1d174.8833333!2d-37.8833333!3e0|title=827 Ruapuke Rd to Te Mata|website=Google maps|language=en|access-date=2019-02-22}}</ref> {{Convert|840|m|mi|abbr=on}} of Ruapuke Road was [sealed](/source/Chipseal) and some bends removed in 2011.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.raglan23.co.nz/news/council-gets-ready-to-start-ruapuke-road-seal-extension-project/|title=Council gets ready to start Ruapuke Road Seal Extension Project|website=www.raglan23.co.nz|access-date=2019-02-22}}</ref> It is often used for rally car competitions.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.fiatcarclub.co.nz/index.php?s=ruapuke |title=Ruapuke &#124; Search Results &#124; Fiat Club Waikato |access-date=22 January 2013 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303235149/http://www.fiatcarclub.co.nz/index.php?s=ruapuke |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The north end of Ruapuke Beach is about {{Convert|23|km||abbr=on}} from Raglan via Whaanga Road and [Te Toto Gorge](/source/Karioi), which is [gravel](/source/Gravel_road), winding,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.google.com/maps/dir/-37.8916163,174.7649387/Raglan/@-37.8533929,174.7696793,12z/data=!4m10!4m9!1m0!1m5!1m1!1s0x6d132aa119f6886d:0x500ef6143a2fc50!2m2!1d174.8717945!2d-37.8014057!3e0!5i2|title=Swann Access Rd to Raglan|website=Google maps|language=en|access-date=2019-02-22}}</ref> mountainous and described as 'iconic' in descriptions of [Rally New Zealand](/source/Rally_New_Zealand).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/|title=Motorsport: Paddon gears up for trophy hunt|first=Eric|last=Thompson|date=6 May 2011|via=www.nzherald.co.nz}}</ref>
thumb|Ruapuke Stream enters the Tasman Sea through the sand dunes

=== Roading History ===
thumb|Ruapuke Beach from above Waiau BeachUntil 1864 settlement was along the coast and relied on access by boat. Then a track was cut along what is now Waimaori Rd.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Ruapuke|last=Trolove|first=F J|year=1970}}</ref>

Ruapuke Rd (originally known as Ruapuke Mountain Rd) was built as a shorter route from 1902<ref>{{cite news|url= https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=WAIGUS19020830.2.12|title=Waikato Argus, RAGLAN COUNTY COUNCIL|date=30 Aug 1902|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|access-date=2019-02-22}}</ref> and was [metalled](/source/metalled) in 1935.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://atojs.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/atojs?a=d&d=AJHR1935-I.2.2.3.1&cl|title=1935 Public Works Statement|website=atojs.natlib.govt.nz|access-date=2019-02-22}}</ref>

== Surfing ==
Until the 1990s the beach largely remained unknown, used by local residents and a few [surfing](/source/surfing) and [surfcasting](/source/surfcasting) [fishing](/source/fishing) enthusiasts. Ruapuke beach is sometimes used as a backup beach for events such as the Billabong Pro Junior Series (2007),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Top Australian Surfers Prepare for Billabong Pro Junior Series |url=https://surfeuropemag.com/features/news/top-australian-surfers-prepare-for-billabong-pro-junior-series.html |access-date=2024-03-26 |website=Surf Europe |language=en-US}}</ref> and the Backdoor Oceanbridge Manu Bay Pro (2019),<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kennings |first=Ben |date=2019-05-05 |title=Back-to-Back for Cederman at Backdoor Oceanbridge Manu Bay Pro |url=https://surfingnz.co.nz/back-back-cederman-backdoor-oceanbridge-manu-bay-pro/ |access-date=2024-03-26 |website=Surfing New Zealand |language=en-AU}}</ref> due to conditions.

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/surfing/sites/features/pages/new_zealand4.shtml BBC Profile]
{{Geographic Location|title=Neighbouring areas|Northwest=|North=[Raglan](/source/Raglan%2C_New_Zealand)|Northeast=''[Karioi](/source/Karioi)''|West=''[Tasman Sea](/source/Tasman_Sea)''|Centre=Ruapuke|East=[Te Mata](/source/Te_Mata%2C_Waikato_District)|South=''[Aotea Harbour](/source/Aotea_Harbour)''|Southeast=''[Pakoka River](/source/Pakoka_River)''}}
{{Waikato District}}

Category:Populated places in Waikato
Category:Waikato District

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Ruapuke](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruapuke) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruapuke?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.