Peninsula in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand
Place in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand
M?hia Peninsula
(Maori:
M?hia
or
Te M?hia
)
[2]
[3]
is located on the east coast of
New Zealand
's
North Island
, in the
Hawke's Bay
region, between the towns of
Wairoa
and
Gisborne
.
It includes
Rocket Lab
's
Launch Complex 1
, located near
Ahuriri Point
at the southern tip of the M?hia Peninsula, for launching its
Electron
rockets.
Since 2018, it has been used as a commercial launcher of small satellites in the range of 135?235 kg, and miniature satellites called
CubeSats
.
[4]
New Zealand's first orbital space launch took place from Launch Complex 1 on 21 January 2018.
Geography
[
edit
]
The peninsula is 21.7 kilometres (13.5 mi) long and 11.3 km (7 mi) wide. Its highest point is Rahuimokairoa, 397 m (1,302 ft) above sea level. The peninsula was once an island, but now a
tombolo
joins it to the North Island.
[5]
Demographics
[
edit
]
M?hia Beach, which is on the northeast coast of the peninsula, is described by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement. It covers 4.05 km
2
(1.56 sq mi)
[1]
and had an estimated population of 230 as of June 2023,
[6]
with a population density of 57 people per km
2
. It is part of the larger Mahia statistical area.
Historical population for Mahia Beach
Year
| Pop.
| ±% p.a.
|
---|
2006
| 240
| ?
|
---|
2013
| 186
| ?3.58%
|
---|
2018
| 183
| ?0.32%
|
---|
Source:
[7]
|
M?hia Beach had a population of 183 at the
2018 New Zealand census
, a decrease of 3 people (?1.6%) since the
2013 census
, and a decrease of 57 people (?23.8%) since the
2006 census
. There were 93 households, comprising 81 males and 99 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.82 males per female. The median age was 60.1 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 21 people (11.5%) aged under 15 years, 12 (6.6%) aged 15 to 29, 84 (45.9%) aged 30 to 64, and 60 (32.8%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 68.9% European/
P?keh?
, 37.7%
M?ori
, 1.6%
Pacific peoples
, and 1.6%
Asian
. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 36.1% had no religion, 50.8% were
Christian
, and 6.6% had
M?ori religious beliefs
.
Of those at least 15 years old, 18 (11.1%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 33 (20.4%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $24,900, compared with $31,800 nationally. 24 people (14.8%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 48 (29.6%) people were employed full-time, 27 (16.7%) were part-time, and 3 (1.9%) were unemployed.
[7]
Mahia statistical area
[
edit
]
Mahia statistical area, which includes
N?haka
, covers 471.97 km
2
(182.23 sq mi)
[1]
and had an estimated population of 1,280 as of June 2023,
[8]
with a population density of 2.7 people per km
2
. The peninsula itself covers 157.25 km
2
(60.71 sq mi)
[1]
Historical population for Mahia statistical area
Year
| Pop.
| ±% p.a.
|
---|
2006
| 1,272
| ?
|
---|
2013
| 1,104
| ?2.00%
|
---|
2018
| 1,119
| +0.27%
|
---|
Source:
[9]
|
Mahia had a population of 1,119 at the
2018 New Zealand census
, an increase of 15 people (1.4%) since the
2013 census
, and a decrease of 153 people (?12.0%) since the
2006 census
. There were 456 households, comprising 552 males and 567 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.97 males per female. The median age was 49.0 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 210 people (18.8%) aged under 15 years, 159 (14.2%) aged 15 to 29, 498 (44.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 252 (22.5%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 48.8% European/
P?keh?
, 64.9%
M?ori
, 1.1%
Pacific peoples
, 0.8%
Asian
, and 1.3% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 4.8, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 35.4% had no religion, 49.3% were
Christian
, 8.3% had
M?ori religious beliefs
and 0.8% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 126 (13.9%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 207 (22.8%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $21,400, compared with $31,800 nationally. 78 people (8.6%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 339 (37.3%) people were employed full-time, 150 (16.5%) were part-time, and 72 (7.9%) were unemployed.
[9]
History and culture
[
edit
]
M?ori history
[
edit
]
In Maori legend, Whatonga, who came to New Zealand in search of his grandfather
Toi
, settled at Mahia.
The peninsula is the tribal area of the
Ng?ti Rongomaiwahine
iwi
.
[10]
The word
m?hia
means "indistinct sound" or "scrofulous swelling".
[11]
The name "Te M?hia" comes from "Te M?hia-mai-tawhiti" (the sound heard from a distance).
Portland Island
, also called Waikawa, is a small island off the southern tip of Mahia Peninsula. It was named
Waikawa
by Kahungunu when he visited there to look for fresh drinking water and only found salt water
[
citation needed
]
? Waikawa means "sour water". Portland Island has an unmanned lighthouse.
[
citation needed
]
European history
[
edit
]
Shore whaling
was briefly important on the Mahia Peninsula. Early whalers had a whaling station on the farm "Kini Kini", sheltered by "Long Point" on the west coast of the peninsula.
[12]
[13]
The peninsula community these days is still generally a mix of Maori and European.
[
citation needed
]
Prime Minister
Jacinda Ardern
was
proposed
to by her partner,
Clarke Gayford
, on Mokotahi Hill.
[14]
Marae
[
edit
]
There are five
marae
in the Mahia area affiliated with the
hap?
of
Rongomaiwahine
iwi:
[15]
[16]
- The Kaiuku or Oku-ra-renga Marae and its Kiwi meeting house are affiliated with the hap? of
Ng?i Tama
and
Ng?i T?
- Te R?kat? Marae is affiliated with the hap? of
Ng?i Te R?kat?
.
- Tuahuru Marae and its Hine te Rongo meeting house are affiliated with the hap? of Ngai Tama and Ng?i T?.
- Ruawharo Marae is also affiliated with Ngai Tama.
- Mahanga Marae and its meeting house, Te Poho o Rongomaiwahine, are home to the hap?, Te Hokowhitu o Ngai Tu.
In October 2020, the Government committed $1,949,075 from the
Provincial Growth Fund
to upgrade 24 Ng?ti Kahungunu marae, including both Kaiuku and Ruawharo Marae, creating 164 jobs. It also committed $102,644 to upgrading Tuahuru Marae, creating 4 jobs.
[17]
Economy
[
edit
]
Sheep and cattle farms are an important part for the local community, but tourism is now the peninsula's main industry. Mahia's population swells greatly during the warmer months and in particular during school holidays.
Mahia is well known for its surf, scuba diving, hiking, and fishing.
[18]
Morere Hot Springs is 15 minutes away, towards Gisborne. The area is a popular school holiday destination and contains a holiday park dating back to the 1960s. The remaining settlement consists mostly of holiday houses and
baches
.
From 2007 to 2010 Mahia became known for the presence of
Moko
, a dolphin.
The peninsula is the location of
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1
, which has been used to launch spy satellites for the United States of America.
[19]
Education
[
edit
]
Te Mahia School is a year 1?8 co-educational state primary school.
[20]
It is a decile 1 school with a roll of 69 as of February 2024.
[21]
[22]
The school opened in 1917.
[23]
Climate
[
edit
]
Climate data for Mahia (1991?2020)
|
Month
|
Jan
|
Feb
|
Mar
|
Apr
|
May
|
Jun
|
Jul
|
Aug
|
Sep
|
Oct
|
Nov
|
Dec
|
Year
|
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)
|
21.8
(71.2)
|
21.7
(71.1)
|
20.2
(68.4)
|
17.9
(64.2)
|
15.8
(60.4)
|
13.5
(56.3)
|
12.7
(54.9)
|
13.2
(55.8)
|
14.9
(58.8)
|
16.7
(62.1)
|
18.1
(64.6)
|
20.1
(68.2)
|
17.2
(63.0)
|
Daily mean °C (°F)
|
18.4
(65.1)
|
18.6
(65.5)
|
17.1
(62.8)
|
15.1
(59.2)
|
13.2
(55.8)
|
11.0
(51.8)
|
10.3
(50.5)
|
10.5
(50.9)
|
11.9
(53.4)
|
13.4
(56.1)
|
14.8
(58.6)
|
16.8
(62.2)
|
14.3
(57.7)
|
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)
|
14.9
(58.8)
|
15.4
(59.7)
|
14.1
(57.4)
|
12.3
(54.1)
|
10.5
(50.9)
|
8.5
(47.3)
|
7.8
(46.0)
|
7.9
(46.2)
|
8.9
(48.0)
|
10.1
(50.2)
|
11.4
(52.5)
|
13.5
(56.3)
|
11.3
(52.3)
|
Average rainfall mm (inches)
|
53.6
(2.11)
|
67.3
(2.65)
|
89.6
(3.53)
|
97.4
(3.83)
|
99.7
(3.93)
|
123.6
(4.87)
|
143.6
(5.65)
|
101.1
(3.98)
|
70.2
(2.76)
|
69.6
(2.74)
|
72.5
(2.85)
|
68.3
(2.69)
|
1,056.5
(41.59)
|
Source: NIWA
[24]
|
References
[
edit
]
Media related to
M?hia Peninsula
at Wikimedia Commons
- ^
a
b
c
d
"ArcGIS Web Application"
.
statsnz.maps.arcgis.com
. Retrieved
29 January
2023
.
- ^
"NZGB Gazetteer"
.
gazetteer.linz.govt.nz
. Retrieved
15 December
2020
.
- ^
Whaanga, Mere (10 February 2015).
"Ng?ti Rongomaiwahine ? M?hia Peninsula"
.
Te Ara ? the Encyclopedia of New Zealand
. Manat? Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage
. Retrieved
8 February
2018
.
- ^
Rocket Lab Plans Electron Test Launches This Year
. Jeff Foust,
Space News
. 19 April 2016.
- ^
"Destination: Mahia Peninsula"
.
The New Zealand Bay Fisher
. Ink IQ
. Retrieved
8 February
2018
.
- ^
"Subnational population estimates (RC, SA2), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)"
.
Statistics New Zealand
. Retrieved
25 October
2023
.
(regional councils);
"Subnational population estimates (TA, SA2), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)"
.
Statistics New Zealand
. Retrieved
25 October
2023
.
(territorial authorities);
"Subnational population estimates (urban rural), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)"
.
Statistics New Zealand
. Retrieved
25 October
2023
.
(urban areas)
- ^
a
b
"Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census"
. Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. 7015775.
- ^
"Population estimate tables - NZ.Stat"
.
Statistics New Zealand
. Retrieved
25 October
2023
.
- ^
a
b
"Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census"
. Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Mahia (207900).
2018 Census place summary: Mahia
- ^
"Story: Ng?ti Rongomaiwahine"
.
- ^
Williams, Herbert W. (1971). "M?hia".
A Dictionary of the Maori Language
(7th ed.). p. 163.
- ^
"Shore-based whaling"
. Te Ara
. Retrieved
22 May
2017
.
- ^
Shortt, Bill (7 February 2016).
"Mahia takes the cake"
.
The Gisborne Herald
. Retrieved
8 February
2018
.
- ^
Bateman, Sophie (6 May 2019).
"PM Jacinda Ardern spills details on 'very romantic' proposal"
.
Newshub
. Retrieved
15 December
2020
.
- ^
"Te K?hui M?ngai directory"
.
tkm.govt.nz
.
Te Puni K?kiri
.
- ^
"M?ori Maps"
.
maorimaps.com
. Te Potiki National Trust.
- ^
"Marae Announcements"
(Excel)
.
growregions.govt.nz
.
Provincial Growth Fund
. 9 October 2020.
- ^
"Mahia Travel Guide"
.
Jasons Travel Media
.
- ^
Strout, Nathan (18 June 2020).
"US to continue launching spy satellites from New Zealand in 2021"
.
C4ISRNet
. Retrieved
17 April
2022
.
- ^
"Ministry of Education School Profile"
.
educationcounts.govt.nz
.
Ministry of Education
.
- ^
"New Zealand Schools Directory"
. New Zealand Ministry of Education
. Retrieved
14 March
2024
.
- ^
"Education Review Office Report"
.
ero.govt.nz
.
Education Review Office
.
- ^
Te Mahia School 75th jubilee and Tawapata School reunion magazine
. Te Mahia School. 1992.
OCLC
154770552
.
- ^
"CliFlo ? National Climate Database : Mahia Aws"
. NIWA
. Retrieved
20 May
2024
.
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