Whakatane, New Zealand

The Whakatane District is one of six districts, which are the Bay of Plenty region in the North Island of New Zealand assigned in whole or in part. The district was named after the town of Whakatane, which also represents also the economic center of the district as an administrative capital and nearly half the population is.

Geography

The Whakatane District is 4441 km2 with the largest district in the Bay of Plenty region. The north of the district has a 54 km long coastline to the Pacific Ocean. The east connects to the Opotiki District, the South East with a small part in the Gisborne district, the south of the Wairoa district, the southwest by the Taupo District and the East concludes with the Rotorua district and the Western Bay-of- Plenty district from. A special feature is the enclave of the Kawerau District, which is located only 22 km2 in the north- west of Whakatane District.

The largest rivers that are located completely within the boundaries of the district are, from west to east of the Rangitaiki River, the Whakatane River and the Waimana River. All three move north to the Pacific meet. Another river which flows through the district where it discharges into the ocean is the Tarawera River. The has its origin but in the Rotorua district and is fed by Lake Tarawera.

The most important mountains in the district provide the volcano Mount Edgecumbe ( Putauaki ) with 820 m, the Te Whakaumu with 765 m and 1,017 m asl Tawhiuau with dar.

The two largest lake in the district are artificially created and are located both in the river course of the Rangitaiki River. The Lake and the Lake Aniwhenua Matahina serve both power generation.

The Te Urewera National Park is located only partially in the district area, but occupies a large part of the southeast one. Numerous hiking trails provide access to the National Park.

History

The history of the Whakatane district and its administration goes back to the year 1876. During the year the first time ( District Council ) was the Whakatane County Council formed which covered roughly the present districts of Whakatane and Opotiki. The administration at the time was still in the place Opotiki. In 1900 the County in Whakatane and Opotiki County County was divided. A 1876 educated Whakatane Road Board ( Panel on roads) was dissolved and also integrated into the new administration. In 1914, Whakatane was declared a city and a town council was established on 25 August 1917, the County Council lost its jurisdiction over the city.

The two governing bodies, Whakatane Borough Council and the third Whakatane County Council were merged in 1976 with the Whakatane Harbour Board and the Whakatane District Council is formed. As part of local government reform made ​​in 1989 then finally the Murupara Borough Council was taken over and parts of the Opotiki District and Taupo District integrated into the Whakatane District, and thus a large part of the Kaingaroa Forest

Climate

The summer in the Whakatane District is very warm and the winters fairly mild. The average summer temperatures are between 25 ° C and 28 ° C in the winter months it is rarely colder than 11 ° C. At around 55 days a year Whakatane has the highest average temperatures in New Zealand. Sunshine duration is 2,300 hours per year and the annual rainfall is about 1200 mm.

Population

The district was one of the Census in the year 2006 33.297 inhabitants, 1.3% more than in 2001. The proportion of Māori in the population in 2006 was 41.6 %, but only 17.4% are Māori language yet powerful.

The closest

The district has a well- developed road network. The State Highway 2 connects the district with Tauranga and Opotiki in the east to the west and the two State Highways 30 and 34 are Whakatane with the Rangitaiki Plain connected to the town of Kawerau and in the extension of Rotorua. All major cross-links and side roads are paved, only secondary roads and more remote roads in the mountains are made of gravel roads.

The Whakatane Airport is located about 8 km west of the city center of Whakatane and connects the district with five daily flights to Auckland.

Economy

Industrial and agricultural development took place since 1910 in the district. Changes in economic conditions have always changed the region from Whakatane. What remains of it all is agriculture and the dairy industry, which is still the largest economic factor in the district. Since the 1950s, however, increases the share of forestry and the wood processing industry.

Tourism also gained greater importance in recent years. The coast, hiking and fishing in the National Park, rafting, speed boat and canoe tours on the Rangitaiki River make the region more attractive. As an adventure tour of a special kind, daily tours to the most active volcano of New Zealand lying in the sea to White Iceland offered by Whakatane from. By boat or helicopter expedition in volcanic terrain or by air as scenic flight ranging possibilities.

Twin Cities

The Whakatane District Council maintains two partnerships with other cities:

  • Kamagaya in Japan
  • Warwick ( Queensland) in Australia

Furthermore, there is a friendship agreement with Shibukawa in Japan.

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