Te Kao Explained

Te Kao
Population As Of:2006
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:-34.6514°N 172.9703°W

Te Kao is a village on the Aupouri Peninsula of Northland, New Zealand. Te Aupōuri are mana whenua (tribe with traditional authority over a territory) over Te Kao and the surrounding district, and it is the principal settlement of the iwi (tribe). Te Aupōuri's Post-Settlement Governance Entity, Te Runanga Nui o Te Aupōuri, has an office at Te Kao, along with the iwi's marae and urupa. State Highway 1 passes through the district. Cape Reinga is 46 km to the north, and Houhora is 24 km to the south. The Aupouri Forest and Ninety Mile Beach are to the west.[1] [2]

The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "the dried kūmara" for Maori: Te Kao.[3]

The athlete Te Houtaewa, of Te Aupōuri, started his legendary run along Ninety Mile Beach at Te Kao.[4]

Demographics

Te Kao is in an SA1 statistical area which covers 69.5km2[5] and includes the area between the mouth of Parengarenga Harbour and Tauwhia Stream. The SA1 area is part of the larger North Cape statistical area.

The SA1 statistical area had a population of 225 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 54 people (31.6%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 9 people (4.2%) since the 2006 census. There were 75 households, comprising 120 males and 105 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.14 males per female. The median age was 30.5 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 57 people (25.3%) aged under 15 years, 54 (24.0%) aged 15 to 29, 75 (33.3%) aged 30 to 64, and 36 (16.0%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 22.7% European/Pākehā, 92.0% Māori, 9.3% Pacific peoples, and 1.3% Asian. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

Of those people who chose to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 20.0% had no religion, 45.3% were Christian and 29.3% had Māori religious beliefs.

Of those at least 15 years old, 9 (5.4%) people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 36 (21.4%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $20,000, compared with $31,800 nationally. 6 people (3.6%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 66 (39.3%) people were employed full-time, 18 (10.7%) were part-time, and 9 (5.4%) were unemployed.

Marae

Pōtahi Marae, near the centre of Te Kao, is the traditional meeting place for Te Aupōuri,[6] and includes the wharehui (meeting house) Waimirirangi and wharekai (dining hall) Te Rongopātūtaonga.[7]

In October 2020, the Government committed $220,442 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade the marae, creating 9 jobs.[8]

Education

Te Kura o Te Kao is a coeducational full primary (years 1–8) school with a roll of students as of

The school started as Te Kao Native School in 1881.[9] It became Te Kao Area School, providing education up to seventh form, but with few secondary students it changed to become a primary school in 1999.[10]

The school celebrated its 125th anniversary during Labour Weekend in 2006.[11] It became a designated character school at the start of 2019,[12] and extended to include years 9 and 10 in 2020.[13]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Reed New Zealand Atlas. 2004. 0-7900-0952-8. Peter Dowling . Reed Books. map 2.
  2. Book: The Geographic Atlas of New Zealand. 2005. 1-877333-20-4. Roger Smith, GeographX. Robbie Burton. map 15.
  3. Web site: 1000 Māori place names. New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage. 6 August 2019.
  4. Encyclopedia: Muriwhenua Tribes - Ancestors. .
  5. Web site: ArcGIS Web Application. 18 March 2022. statsnz.maps.arcgis.com.
  6. Web site: Te Kāhui Māngai directory. tkm.govt.nz. Te Puni Kōkiri.
  7. Web site: Māori Maps . maorimaps.com . Te Potiki National Trust.
  8. Web site: Marae Announcements . growregions.govt.nz . . Excel . 9 October 2020.
  9. Web site: Te Aupouri and the Crown: Deed of Settlement of Historical Claims. 28 January 2012. 27.
  10. Web site: Te Kao Area School to Become Primary School. New Zealand Parliament. Wyatt. Creech. 8 October 1998.
  11. Web site: School Reunion. maori.org.nz.
  12. Web site: Designation of Te Kao School (1) as a Designated Character School. Katrina. Casey. 5 February 2018. New Zealand Government.
  13. Web site: Te Kura o Te Kao - 09/07/2019. Education Review Office. 9 July 2019.