Tararua District

{{Use New Zealand English|date=January 2025}} {{Infobox settlement  | name = Tararua District | native_name = | native_name_lang =  | settlement_type = [[Districts of New Zealand|Territorial authority district]] | image_skyline = Council Chambers and Town Hall, Dannevirke, New Zealand (51).JPG | image_alt = | image_caption = Council Chambers and Town Hall, Dannevirke | image_flag = | flag_alt = | image_seal = | seal_alt = | image_shield = | shield_alt = | nickname = | motto = | image_map = Tararua in the North Island.svg | mapsize = | map_caption = Tararua district within the [[North Island]] | pushpin_map = | pushpin_label_position = | pushpin_map_alt = | pushpin_map_caption = | coordinates = {{coord|format=dms|region:NZ_type:adm2nd|display=title,inline}} | coor_pinpoint = | coordinates_footnotes = | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = [[New Zealand]] | subdivision_type1 = [[Regions of New Zealand|Region]] | subdivision_name1 = [[Manawatū-Whanganui]] | subdivision_type2 = Wards | subdivision_name2 = North Tararua General Ward South Tararua General Ward Tamaki nui-a Rua Māori Ward | established_title = Formed | established_date = 1989 | seat_type = | seat = [[Dannevirke]] | government_footnotes = | leader_party = | leader_title = Mayor | leader_name = [[Scott Gilmore (mayor)|Scott Gilmore]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.electionz.com/LGE2025Results/ELT41TR25_Result.pdf|title=2025 Triennial Elections Declaration of Result|publisher=Electionz|access-date=21 October 2025}}</ref> | leader_title1 = Deputy Mayor | leader_name1 = | leader_title2 = [[Territorial authorities of New Zealand|Territorial authority]] | leader_name2 = Tararua District Council | unit_pref = Metric   | area_footnotes = <ref name="Area"/> | area_magnitude =  | area_total_km2 = 4364.62 | area_land_km2 = | area_water_km2 = | area_water_percent = | area_urban_km2 = | area_rural_km2 = | area_metro_km2 = | area_rank = | area_blank1_title = | area_blank2_title =  | area_note = | dimensions_footnotes = | length_km = | width_km = | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = | population_total = {{NZ population data 2018|Tararua district|y}} | population_as_of = {{NZ population data 2018|||y}} | population_footnotes = {{NZ population data 2018||||y}} | population_density_km2 = auto | population_demonym = | population_note = | timezone1 = [[Time in New Zealand|NZST]] | utc_offset1 = +12 | timezone1_DST = [[NZDT]] | utc_offset1_DST = +13 | postal_code_type = Postcode(s) | postal_code = [http://www.nzpost.co.nz/sites/default/files/uploads/shared/postcodemaps/tararua-district.pdf Map of postcodes] | area_code = | area_code_type = | iso_code = | website = {{Official URL}} | area_urban_footnotes =  | area_rural_footnotes =  | area_metro_footnotes =  }}

The '''Tararua District''' is a [[Territorial authorities of New Zealand|local government area]] near the south-east corner of [[New Zealand]]'s [[North Island]] that is administered by the [[Tararua District Council]]. It has a population of {{NZ population data 2018|Tararua district|y|y|y|(|),}} and an area of 4,364.62 km².

The district's northwest boundary runs along the top of the [[Ruahine Range]]; its south-east boundary is the Pacific Ocean. The catchment of the [[Manawatū River]] generally defines the north and south extremities. The catchment is also the reason the majority of the district is in the [[Manawatū-Whanganui]] Region, although traditionally many of the people of the district regard themselves as living in either [[Hawke's Bay (region)|Hawke's Bay]] (in the north) or [[Wairarapa]] (in the south).

== Towns and regional government == The district's chief town is [[Dannevirke]], settled by immigrants from [[Denmark]] in the 19th century. It is also the centre for a Community Board. Other towns (from south to north along the main valleys) include [[Eketāhuna]] and [[Pahiatua]], which have their own Community Boards, and [[Woodville, New Zealand|Woodville]], [[Ormondville]], and [[Norsewood]]. Near the coast are [[Pongaroa]], [[Herbertville]], [[Ākitio]], and [[Alfredton, New Zealand|Alfredton]].

While the vast majority (98.42% by land area) of Tararua District is part of the Manawatū-Whanganui Region, a small triangle of rural land (1.58% by land area) north of the Owahanga River in the south-east of the district is part of [[Wellington Region]]. According to the 2006 Census, this area, known as Mara, has only 3 residents (down from 12 in 1996 and 2001).

== History == Tararua District Council was created by the amalgamation of Dannevirke Borough, [[Eketāhuna#Mayors|Eketahuna County Council]], [[Mayor of Pahiatua|Pahiatua Borough Council]], [[Pahiatua#Government|Pahiatua County Council]] and [[Woodville, New Zealand#Government|Woodville District Council]] in the [[1989 local government reforms]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://archivescentral.org.nz/en/tararua_dc |title=Tararua District Council |work=Archives Central |access-date=20 December 2015}}</ref>

=== Dannevirke County Council === Dannevirke County Council was formed in 1907 by splitting [[Central Hawke's Bay District Council#History|Waipawa County Council]]. It lasted until 1987, when it amalgamated with Dannevirke Borough Council to form Dannevirke District Council, which lasted 2 years until becoming part of Tararua District.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dannevirke County Council |url=https://archivescentral.org.nz/agents/corporate-body/dannevirke-county-council |access-date=2022-06-18 |website=archivescentral.org.nz}}</ref> [[Norsewood]] Town Board was added to DCC in 1936,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Norsewood Town Board |url=https://archivescentral.org.nz/agents/corporate-body/norsewood-town-board |access-date=2022-06-18 |website=archivescentral.org.nz}}</ref> [[Ormondville#History|Ormondville]] [[List of former territorial authorities in New Zealand#Town districts|Town Board]] in 1944,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ormondville Town Board |url=https://archivescentral.org.nz/agents/corporate-body/ormondville-town-board |access-date=2022-06-18 |website=archivescentral.org.nz}}</ref> [[Weber County, New Zealand|Weber County]] in 1956<ref>{{Cite web |title=Weber County Council |url=https://archivescentral.org.nz/agents/corporate-body/weber-county-council |access-date=2022-06-18 |website=archivescentral.org.nz}}</ref> and [[Ākitio#History|Ākitio County]] in 1976.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Akitio County Council |url=https://archivescentral.org.nz/agents/corporate-body/akitio-county-council |access-date=2022-06-18 |website=archivescentral.org.nz}}</ref> In its final form, DCC had five [[Riding (division)#New Zealand|ridings]], Ākitio, Weber, Mangapuaka, Norsewood and Ruahine.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Map of Dannevirke County showing riding boundaries |url=http://archivescentral.org.nz/tararua-dc/record/map-dannevirke-county-showing-riding-boundaries |access-date=2022-06-18 |website=archivescentral.org.nz |language=en}}</ref> The County Office was at Barraud Street, Dannevirke.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 Nov 1926 |title=MANAWATU TIMES |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/MT19261123.2.85.7 |access-date=2022-06-18 |website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}</ref> In 1911, it was a single storey, wooden building.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |title=DBC 4 Dannevirke County Council |url=http://ketetararua.peoplesnetworknz.info/en/site/images/show/410-dbc-4-dannevirke-county-council?view_size=large |access-date=2022-06-18 |website=ketetararua.peoplesnetworknz.info |language=en}}</ref>

=== Woodville County Council === Woodville County Council was formed in 1901, also by splitting [[Central Hawke's Bay District Council#History|Waipawa County Council]]. It too lasted until 1987, when it amalgamated with [[Woodville, New Zealand#Government|Woodville Borough Council]] to form Woodville District Council, which also lasted 2 years until becoming part of Tararua District.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Woodville County Council |url=https://archivescentral.org.nz/agents/corporate-body/woodville-county-council |access-date=2025-04-28 |website=archivescentral.org.nz}}</ref> Woodville County was made up of 4 [[Riding (division)#New Zealand|ridings]], Kumeroa, Maharahara, Manga-atua and Woodville, each represented by 2 councillors.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 September 1901 |title=Woodville Examiner |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WOODEX19010930.2.14.2 |access-date=2025-04-28 |website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}</ref> The County Office was rebuilt as a 2-storey building<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 August 1949 |title=Woodville |url=https://natlib.govt.nz/records/23029119 |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=natlib.govt.nz}}</ref> at 49 Vogel Street, Woodville in 1903<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 March 1903 |title=County Councils. Woodville Examiner |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WOODEX19030306.2.8 |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=5 June 1903 |title=Woodville County Council. Woodville Examiner |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WOODEX19030605.2.6 |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}</ref> and as a single-storey building in 1958.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Woodville 1882-1982: a BNZ century |url=https://tamiro.massey.ac.nz/nodes/view/25734 |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=Massey University Library |page=34 |language=en}}</ref> The building is now used by Woodville Health Centre.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Woodville Health Centre • Healthpoint |url=https://www.healthpoint.co.nz/gps-accident-urgent-medical-care/nurse-led-practice/woodville-health-centre/ |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=www.healthpoint.co.nz}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=November 1958 |title=Woodville |url=https://natlib.govt.nz/records/32057851 |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=natlib.govt.nz}}</ref> The county had the Manawatū River as its southern and eastern boundary.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Map of Woodville County |url=https://archivescentral.org.nz/horizons-regional-council/record/map-woodville-county |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=archivescentral.org.nz |language=en}}</ref>

==Demographics== Tararua District covers {{Convert|4364.62|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=17 October 2024|website=statsnz.maps.arcgis.com}}</ref> and had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2018|Tararua district|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2018|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Tararua district|y}}|R}}/4364.62|1}} people per km2.

{{Historical populations|2006|17,634|2013|16,854|2018|17,943|2023|18,660|percentages=pagr|align=left|source=<ref name="Census 2018">{{NZ census 2018|Tararua District (041)|tararua-district|Tararua District}}</ref><ref name="Census 2023"/>}} Tararua District had a population of 18,660 in the [[2023 New Zealand census]], an increase of 717 people (4.0%) since the [[2018 New Zealand census|2018 census]], and an increase of 1,806 people (10.7%) since the [[2013 New Zealand census|2013 census]]. There were 9,357 males, 9,252 females and 48 people of [[non-binary gender|other genders]] in 7,356 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%2Bdo1.041%2Bw_04101%2Bw_04102.2023&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> 2.3% of people identified as [[LGBTQ|LGBTIQ+]]. The median age was 42.4 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 3,735 people (20.0%) aged under 15 years, 2,952 (15.8%) aged 15 to 29, 8,154 (43.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 3,819 (20.5%) aged 65 or older.<ref name="Census 2023"/>

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 84.0% [[European New Zealanders|European]] ([[Pākehā]]); 26.9% [[Māori people|Māori]]; 2.7% [[Pasifika New Zealanders|Pasifika]]; 3.1% [[Asian New Zealanders|Asian]]; 0.5% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.8% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 97.6%, Māori language by 5.1%, Samoan by 0.3% and other languages by 4.0%. No language could be spoken by 1.9% (e.g. too young to talk). [[New Zealand Sign Language]] was known by 0.7%. The percentage of people born overseas was 10.1, compared with 28.8% nationally.

Religious affiliations were 31.2% [[Christianity in New Zealand|Christian]], 0.3% [[Hinduism in New Zealand|Hindu]], 0.3% [[Islam in New Zealand|Islam]], 2.9% [[Religion of Māori people|Māori religious beliefs]], 0.2% [[Buddhism in New Zealand|Buddhist]], 0.7% [[New Age]], and 0.9% other religions. People who answered that they had [[Irreligion in New Zealand|no religion]] were 54.3%, and 9.5% of people did not answer the census question.

Of those at least 15 years old, 1,407 (9.4%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 8,724 (58.5%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 4,401 (29.5%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $33,600, compared with $41,500 nationally. 888 people (5.9%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 7,002 (46.9%) people were employed full-time, 2,100 (14.1%) were part-time, and 420 (2.8%) 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.041.2013%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=Tararua District (041)}}</ref> [[File:2023 NZ Census Population Density - Tararua District.png|thumb|Population density in the 2023 census]] {| class="wikitable" |+Individual wards |- !Name !! Area (km2) !! Population !! Density (per km2) || Dwellings !! Median age !! Median income |- | North Tararua General Ward || style="text-align:right;"|2,384.16 || style="text-align:right;"|10,035 || style="text-align:right;"|4.2 || style="text-align:right;"|3,981 || 43.1 years || $33,400<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_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.w_04101.2013%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=North Tararua General Ward}}</ref> |- | South Tararua General Ward || style="text-align:right;"|1,980.46 || style="text-align:right;"|8,625 || style="text-align:right;"|4.4 || style="text-align:right;"|3,378 || 41.7 years || $33,800<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_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.w_04102.2013%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=South Tararua General Ward}}</ref> |- ! New Zealand !! !! !! !! !! 38.1 years !! style="text-align:left;"| $41,500 |}

== "Seventy Mile Bush" == When Europeans settled the area, it was almost entirely forested and was called "[[Seventy Mile Bush]]". Industrious clearance has made it a busy pastoral district, although the region close to the Pacific coast is still sparsely populated. The original name lives on in that of the local [[National Provincial Championship (2006–present)|National Provincial Championship]] [[rugby union]] team, Wairarapa-Bush.

== Economy == Agriculture is the district's main industry. Other industries include textiles, food processing, and retailing. Commercial forestry is expected to become more important to the district's economy in the next few years.

==Schools== {{main|List of schools in Manawatū-Whanganui#Tararua District}} Secondary: * [[Tararua College]], Pahiatua (Year 9-15) * [[Dannevirke High School]], [[Dannevirke]] (Year 9-15) * [[Totara College of Accelerated Learning]] Mangatera, Dannevirke (Year 1-15) *Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Tāmaki Nui A Rua, Dannevirke (Years 1-15)

Primary: {{Div col}} *[[Norsewood and District]], [[Norsewood]] (Year 1-8) *[[Kumeroa School]], Kumeroa (Year 1-8) * Huia Range Dannevirke (Year 1-8) * Dannevirke South School (Year 1-8) * St Joseph School Dannevirke (Year 1-8) * Ruahine School Dannevirke (Year 1-8) * Woodville School, [[Woodville, New Zealand|Woodville]] * Eketāhuna School, [[Eketāhuna]] (Year 1-8) * Alfredton School, [[Alfredton, New Zealand|Alfredton]] (Year 1-8) *Ballance School, Woodville (Year 1-8) *Makuri School (Year 1-8) *Mangatainoka School (Year 1-8) *Pahiatua School (Year 1-8) *Papatawa School (Year 1-8) *Pongaroa School (Year 1-8) *St Anthony's School (Pahiatua) (Year 1-8) *Weber School (Year 1-8) {{Div col end}}

==References== {{reflist}}

== External links == {{Commons category}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20041029102502/http://zeal.com/category/preview.jhtml?cid=10118379 Forty or more categorised profiles of relevant websites] *[http://www.tararuadc.govt.nz/ District Council website]

{{Adjacent communities | title = Adjacent cities and districts | Centre = Tararua | N = [[Central Hawke's Bay District|Central Hawke's Bay]] | E = ''[[Pacific Ocean]]'' | S = [[Masterton District|Masterton]] | W = [[Palmerston North]] [[Horowhenua District|Horowhenua]] | NW = [[Manawatū District|Manawatū]] }} {{Tararua District}} {{Cities and districts of New Zealand}}

[[Category:Tararua District| ]]