Tarakohe

{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2021}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=December 2021}} {{Infobox settlement <!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions --> | name = Tarakohe | settlement_type = Rural locality | image_skyline = Pohara Boat Club in Golden Bay (cropped).jpg | image_caption = View of Port Tarakohe | pushpin_map = | pushpin_map_caption = | mapframe = yes | mapframe-zoom = 10 | coordinates = {{coord|-40.831|172.893|region:NZ_type:city|display=inline,title|format=dms}} | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = New Zealand | subdivision_type1 = [[Territorial authorities of New Zealand|Territorial authority]] | subdivision_name1 = [[Tasman District]] | subdivision_type2 = Ward | subdivision_name2 = Golden Bay Ward | leader_title1 = Local authority | leader_name1 = [[Tasman District Council]] | seat_type = Electorates | seat = [[West Coast-Tasman]]<br>[[Te Tai Tonga]] | elevation_m = | population_footnotes = <ref name="Census 2023"/> | population_total = 135 | population_as_of = 2023 Census | population_density_km2 = auto | area_footnotes = <ref name="Area"/> | area_total_km2 = 1.95 | established_title = | established_date = | timezone1 = NZST | utc_offset1 = +12 | timezone1_DST = NZDT | utc_offset1_DST = +13 | postal_code_type = Postcode | postal_code = 7183 | area_code_type = Area code | area_code = 03 | blank_name = Local [[iwi]] | blank_info = }}

'''Tarakohe''', in older sources referred to as '''Terekohe''', is a locality in the [[Tasman District]] of New Zealand's upper [[South Island]], located east of [[Pōhara]] in [[Golden Bay / Mohua|Golden Bay]].

==Demographics== Tarakohe locality covers {{Convert|1.95|km2||abbr=on}}.<ref name="Area">{{Cite web|title=Stats NZ Geographic Data Service|url=https://datafinder.stats.govt.nz/data/|at=Statistical Area 1 2023 (generalised)|access-date=16 April 2026}}</ref> It is part of the larger [[Pōhara#Pōhara-Abel Tasman statistical area|Pōhara-Abel Tasman 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=Statistical Area 1 – 2023 and Statistical Area 2 – 2023}}</ref>

{{Historical populations|2013|111|2018|111|2023|135|percentages=pagr|align=left|source=<ref name="Census 2023"/>}} Tarakohe had a population of 135 in the [[2023 New Zealand census]], an increase of 24 people (21.6%) since the [[2018 New Zealand census|2018 census]], and an increase of 24 people (21.6%) since the [[2013 New Zealand census|2013 census]]. There were 66 males and 66 females in 57 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_009&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=doTotal%2Bdo1.7035077.2023&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> 6.7% of people identified as [[LGBTQ|LGBTIQ+]]. The median age was 57.6 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 12 people (8.9%) aged under 15 years, 15 (11.1%) aged 15 to 29, 66 (48.9%) aged 30 to 64, and 42 (31.1%) aged 65 or older.<ref name="Census 2023"/>

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 95.6% [[European New Zealanders|European]] ([[Pākehā]]), 8.9% [[Māori people|Māori]], and 4.4% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 100.0%, Māori by 2.2%, and other languages by 15.6%. No language could be spoken by 2.2% (e.g. too young to talk). [[New Zealand Sign Language]] was known by 4.4%. The percentage of people born overseas was 20.0, compared with 28.8% nationally.<ref name="Census 2023"/>

Religious affiliations were 17.8% [[Christianity in New Zealand|Christian]], 2.2% [[Buddhism in New Zealand|Buddhist]], and 2.2% other religions. People who answered that they had [[Irreligion in New Zealand|no religion]] were 71.1%, and 8.9% of people did not answer the census question.<ref name="Census 2023"/>

Of those at least 15 years old, 36 (29.3%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 54 (43.9%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 33 (26.8%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $25,600, compared with $41,500 nationally. 3 people (2.4%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 42 (34.1%) full-time and 18 (14.6%) part-time.<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_012&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.7035077.2013%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=7035077}}</ref>

==Tarakohe cement== [[File:Tarakohe 98.jpg|thumb|left|Aerial view of Tarakohe and its limestone quarry]] Tarakohe is best known for the manufacture of [[Portland cement]]. Geological surveys of Golden Bay showed an area of {{convert|24|sqkm}} that held a {{convert|30|m|adj=on}} thick layer of limestone suitable for producing cement. In 1908, investors from [[Nelson, New Zealand|Nelson]] and [[Wellington]] provided the capital to form the [[Golden Bay Cement Company]]. The company built a wharf on the coast in 1910 in what became known as Limestone Bay.<ref name="The Prow" /> A post office opened in Tarakohe in July 1910.<ref>{{cite news |title=Local & general |url= https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NEM19100730.2.19 |access-date=20 December 2021 |work=[[Nelson Evening Mail]] |volume=XLV |issue=XLV |date=30 July 1910 |page=4}}</ref> Production of cement was commenced in November 1911.<ref name="The Prow">{{cite web |last1=Stephens |first1=Joy |title=Tarakohe Cement |url= http://www.theprow.org.nz/enterprise/tarakohe-cement/ |publisher=The Prow |date=2011|access-date=20 December 2021 }}</ref>

One of the 17 deaths caused by the [[1929 Murchison earthquake]] was at the cement works when a cliff face collapsed onto a powerhouse, killing the engineer Arthur Stubbs inside the building.<ref>{{cite news |title=Tarakohe fatality |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NEM19290619.2.66.4 |access-date=20 December 2021 |work=[[Nelson Evening Mail]] |volume=LXIII |date=19 June 1929 |page=8}}</ref>

Cement from Tarakohe was used in the [[Manapouri Power Station]] and many of the [[Think Big]] projects, e.g. the [[Clyde Dam]]. In 1983, the company merged with Wilson's Portland Cement. It came under the ownership of [[Fletcher Challenge]] and the 1988 closure of the facility at Tarakohe had a significant economic and employment impact on Golden Bay.<ref name="The Prow" /> In 2001, Fletcher Challenge sold the cement plant and its land.<ref name="Tasman Ports timeline">{{cite web |last1=Stephens |first1=Joy |title=Tasman Ports timeline |url=http://www.theprow.org.nz/enterprise/tasman-ports-timeline/ |publisher=The Prow |access-date=20 December 2021 |date=31 August 2021}}</ref>

===Port Tarakohe=== The Golden Bay Cement Company developed Port Tarakohe in several stages; a concrete wharf was added in 1977. Its primary use was for shipping the company's product and it is also used for shipping [[dolomite (rock)|dolomite]] quarried at [[Mount Burnett (New Zealand)|Mount Burnett]].<ref name="Proposed upgrade">{{cite news |last1=Sivignon |first1=Cherie |title=Proposed upgrade of Port Tarakohe in Golden Bay could cost up to $35m |url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/113984093/proposed-upgrade-of-port-tarakohe-in-golden-bay-could-cost-up-to-35m |access-date=20 December 2021 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=5 July 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Walrond |first1=Carl |title=Tarakohe harbour |url= https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/29121/tarakohe-harbour |publisher=[[Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand]] |access-date=20 December 2021 |date=22 April 2015}}</ref> Port Tarakohe was sold for NZ$275,000 to [[Tasman District Council]] in 1994.<ref name="The Prow" /> Beginning in 2003, work was undertaken at the port: a new wharf was built, the harbour dredged, the breakwater extended, and the harbour entrance narrowed. The improvements were completed by 2005 and the port has since had 61 berths.<ref name="Tasman Ports timeline" />

After [[Cyclone Gita]] destroyed the road over [[Tākaka Hill]] on 20 February 2018 and therefore severed all road access to Golden Bay, Port Tarakohe was used to ferry goods and people to and from Nelson Harbour. In July 2019, Tasman District Council applied for a grant from the government's [[Provincial Growth Fund]], with an expected growth of the aquaculture industry (mostly mussel farming) as its main justification.<ref name="Proposed upgrade" /> In September 2020, the government responded by offering a $20m loan.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sivignon |first1=Cherie |title=Port Tarakohe redevelopment project given $20m boost from Government loan |url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/aquaculture/122643917/port-tarakohe-redevelopment-project-given-20m-boost-from-government-loan |access-date=20 December 2021 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=3 September 2020}}</ref>

==Abel Tasman Monument== The [[Abel Tasman Monument]] is a memorial to the first recorded contact between Europeans—led by the Dutch explorer [[Abel Tasman]]—and [[Māori people|Māori]] near present-day Tarakohe on 18 and 19 December 1642. It was unveiled 300 years later on the tercentenary of the encounter by the prime minister, several government ministers, and a Dutch delegation. Originally referred to as the Abel Tasman Memorial and designed by the architect [[Ernst Plischke]], the centrepiece of the monument is a concrete monolith painted white and symbolising a Greek funerary [[stele]]. Located on a bluff east of Tarakohe Harbour, the land for the monument was gifted by the Golden Bay Cement Company. The dignitaries opened the [[Abel Tasman National Park]] the following day and the area holding the monument is part of the national park, although physically separate from it. As was typical for the 1940s, the original inscription focussed on the European experience only and overlooked the Māori perspective.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Stade |first1=Karen |title=The first meeting – Abel Tasman and Māori in Golden Bay / Mohua |url= http://www.theprow.org.nz/events/the-first-meeting-abel-tasman-and-maori-in-golden-bay/ |publisher=The Prow |access-date=18 December 2021}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

{{Tasman District}}

[[Category:Populated places in the Tasman District]]