Tuakau
| Tūākau | |
|---|---|
  Tūākau | |
| Coordinates: 37°16′S 174°57′E / 37.267°S 174.950°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Waikato Region |
| Postcode(s) | 2121 |
Tūākau is a town in the Waikato region,[1] formerly part of the Auckland Region until 2010, when it became part of Waikato District in the North Island of New Zealand. The town serves to support local farming, and is the residence of many employees of New Zealand Steel at Glenbrook.
Toponymy
The place name is believed to be a geographical reference to the high bluff nearby that offers views down the Waikato river. In Māori the word Tū can mean ‘to stand’ and ākau ‘river bank’. [2]
History
The area was first used as a trading centre for passing waka that would transport goods up and down the Waikato river.
In 1863 war broke out just south of the river and the New Zealand Government stationed in Tūākau Imperial troops brought over from Great Britain. To help defend the area the Alexandra Redoubt was built as a defensive fort on the bluff near the river.The existing town which was originally intended to be built closer to the Waikato River was subsequently built in an area 2km further inland.
The town’s ‘Tuakau Bridge’ replaced the need for a ferry from November 1902.[3] The original wooden bridge collapsed on 23 August 1929[4] and was replaced by the current £24,000 ($2.9m at 2015 prices),[5] 750 ft (230 m) bridge from 22 June 1933,[6] designed by Jones & Adams,[7] who also built Horotiu (1921), Te Aroha (1926), Ngamuwahine River (1930) and Fairfield bridges (1937).[8]
By 1914 the people of Tūākau had formed their own town district which went on to achieve borough status on 1 January 1955. Amalgamations since 1989 has seen it first become part of the Franklin District governed by a District Council and then in 2010 with border changes saw it became part of Waikato District when present day Auckland Council boundaries were created.
Demographics
The 2013 Census showed 4,182 people usually live in Tūākau. This is an increase of 681 people, or 19.5 percent, since the 2006 Census. The ethnic makeup of the town and surrounding areas is predominately European and Māori.
Schools
The main primary school is Tūākau Primary, where Sir Edmund Hillary and Hugh Poland[9] were educated. Harrisville Primary is at the northern reach of Tūākau. Tūākau College with a roll over 600 caters for Year 7 to 13 students.
References
- ↑ "Tuakau Travel Guide". Jasons Travel Media.
- ↑ Tuakau, nzhistory.net.nz
- ↑ C W Vennell & Susan Williams: Raglan County Hills and Sea 1876-1976 p. 158
- ↑ "Papers Past — Auckland Star — 24 August 1929 — Page 9". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz (with 2 photos). Retrieved 2016-04-17.
- ↑ Bank of New Zealand inflation calculator
- ↑ Waikato District Council: Tuakau Structure Plan Built Heritage Assessment 2014 - with photos
- ↑ "Proposed New Concrete Bridge Across The Waikato River At Tuakau. The Raglan County Council Has Decided To Adopt The Proposal To Re-erect The Tuakau Bridge At An Estimated Cost Of £24,000. The Structure Will Be The First Reinforced Concrete Bowstring Girder Type Of Bridge To Be Erected In This Country. The Engineers Are Messrs. Jones And Adams. (with photo)". New Zealand Herald. 1930-05-30. p. 8. Retrieved 2016-04-17.
- ↑ "Search the List | Fairfield Bridge | Heritage New Zealand". www.heritage.org.nz. Retrieved 2016-04-17.
- ↑ Scholefield, Guy, ed. (1940). A Dictionary of New Zealand Biography : M–Addenda (PDF). II. Wellington: Department of Internal Affairs. p. 172. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
Category:Waikato District Category:Waikato River