Kaimaumau Explained

Kaimaumau
Area Total Km2:37.09
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:Te Hiku
Subdivision Type4:Community
Subdivision Name4:Te Hiku
Subdivision Type5:Subdivision
Subdivision Name5:North Cape
Leader Title:Territorial Authority
Leader Name:Far North District Council
Leader Title1:Regional council
Leader Name1:Northland Regional Council
Seat Type:Electorates
Coordinates:-34.921°N 173.266°W

Kaimaumau is a locality on the northwest side of Rangaunu Harbour and on east side of the Aupouri Peninsula of Northland, New Zealand.[1]

In October 2020, the Government committed $65,643 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade Kaimaumau Marae, creating 23 jobs.[2]

A scrub fire in the Kaimaumau wetland north of the town began on 18 December 2021 and continued to burn over a 2,800 hectare area for months, forcing the evacuation of Kaimaumau twice.[3] [4] Firefighting has cost over $7 million as of mid-April 2022, with the fire still burning.[5] A large fire also affected the peat land in 1988.[6]

History

Kaimaumau was an important location for the late 19th/early 20th century kauri gum digging trade. In the 1910s, the lower quality chip gum found at the southern half of the Aupouri Peninsula greatly increased in value.[7]

Demographics

Statistics New Zealand describes Kaimaumau as a rural settlement. It covers 37.09km2[8] and had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km2. Kaimaumau is part of the larger Rangaunu Harbour statistical area.

Kaimaumau had a population of 153 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 18 people (13.3%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 9 people (6.2%) since the 2006 census. There were 51 households, comprising 81 males and 69 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.17 males per female. The median age was 47.2 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 27 people (17.6%) aged under 15 years, 15 (9.8%) aged 15 to 29, 75 (49.0%) aged 30 to 64, and 33 (21.6%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 68.6% European/Pākehā, 47.1% Māori, 5.9% Pacific peoples, 2.0% Asian, and 2.0% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

Of those people who chose to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 35.3% had no religion, 35.3% were Christian, 13.7% had Māori religious beliefs and 2.0% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 12 (9.5%) people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 36 (28.6%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $19,300, compared with $31,800 nationally. 9 people (7.1%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 45 (35.7%) people were employed full-time, 18 (14.3%) were part-time, and 12 (9.5%) were unemployed.

Notes and References

  1. Kaimaumau, Northland. NZ Topo Map. Gavin. Harriss. November 2021.
  2. Web site: Marae Announcements . growregions.govt.nz . . Excel . 9 October 2020.
  3. News: Far North fire: Large area of blaze contained as response team downscales. 25 January 2022. Stuff. Mina. Kerr-Lazenby.
  4. News: The taonga on fire: 40 days at Kaimaumau. Newsroom. Matthew. Scott. 28 January 2022.
  5. News: Far North fire: Fighting Waiharara blaze cost more than $7 million. Stuff. 16 April 2022.
  6. Web site: Succession in the Kaimaumau gumland, Northland, New Zealand, following fire. New Zealand Department of Conservation. 2000. Joanna . McQueen. Lisa. Forester.
  7. Book: Hayward . Bruce W. . Bruce Hayward . Kauri Gum and the Gumdiggers . The Bush Press . 1989 . 0-908608-39-X . 4.
  8. Web site: ArcGIS Web Application. 21 March 2022. statsnz.maps.arcgis.com.