Whitford, New Zealand
Whitford | |
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![]() The Pacific Coast highway near Whitford has views of the surrounding countryside, farms, and Hauraki Gulf | |
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Coordinates: 36°56′42″S 174°57′50″E / 36.945°S 174.964°E | |
Country | New Zealand |
Region | Auckland Region |
Ward | Franklin ward |
Board | Franklin Local Board |
Electorates | |
Government | |
• Territorial Authority | Auckland Council |
Area | |
• Total | 0.18 km2 (0.07 sq mi) |
Population (June 2023)[2] | |
• Total | 110 |
• Density | 610/km2 (1,600/sq mi) |
Whitford is a rural town to the south-east of
Geography
Whitford is located at the mouth of the
Etymology
Until 1882, the area was called Turanga by European settlers.
History
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/62/View_of_Whitford_%28c._1869%29.jpg/220px-View_of_Whitford_%28c._1869%29.jpg)
The Pōhutukawa Coast was visited by the Tainui migratory waka around the year 1300. The waka landed at Tūranga Creek, tethered to a volcanic rock in the shape of a man. This gave rise to the name of the creek, which means "Anchorage".[6] Tainui followers of Manawatere, who identified as Ngā Oho, decided to settle the area between the Pōhutukawa Coast and Tūwakamana (Cockle Bay). Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, the mana whenua of the area, descend from these early settlers.[7][8] Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki traditional stories talk about the land already being occupied by the supernatural Tūrehu people, and many place names in the area reference Tūrehu figures, such as Hinerangi and Manawatere.[7] Tūranga became the name of the hill overlooking the west bank of the estuary, and the name was applied to the pā and kāinga of the estuary.[9]
The Tūranga Creek area was known as a traditional food source for eels (tuna),
Whitford's first European settlers, George and William Trice, arrived from Kent in England in 1841.[11] They started a popular and productive farm on Clifton Road near the village settlement in 1843,[4] primarily growing potatoes and employing local members of Ngāi Tai.[11] Over time, the farm grew to 1,000 acres.[11] The family established an unproductive gold mine, which later became the Whitford Quarry and was used as a landfill.[4] The Trice family were followed by more settlers in the mid-1850s,[4] including Isaac and Eve Wade from Wells, Somerset.[11] The first wooden bridge across the Mangemangeroa Creek to the west was constructed in the 1860s, better connecting the community to Auckland by road.[12] Despite the bridge, transport to the community usually occurred via water until the 1920s, when roads and motor transport were improved.[4]
In September 1863 during the Invasion of the Waikato, the Ngāi Tai village of Ōtau near Clevedon was attacked by the British army, and the village was evacuated, living in communities at the river's mouth. For the remainder of the war, Ngāi Tai were designated as a "friendly" people by the Crown, and remained neutral in the fighting.[8] After the Native Lands Act of 1865, the Native Land Court confiscated many Ngāi Tai lands. The remaining land was individuated, slowly sold on to European farmers.[8][6]
Farming community
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6d/Ostrich_farm%2C_Whitford%2C_ca_1900.jpg/220px-Ostrich_farm%2C_Whitford%2C_ca_1900.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e5/Aerial_view_of_Whitford%2C_1953.jpg/220px-Aerial_view_of_Whitford%2C_1953.jpg)
In 1869, L.D. and N.A. Nathan took over Alexander Kennedy's farm and developed an ostrich farm, which provided meat and feathers for the fashion trade from 1869 until the 1920s.[5] Racehorses were trained in Whitford,[4] and in the 1890s the Nathan family equestrian track held large-scale racing events, which people from Auckland attended by ferry.[3] The farming community primarily grew oats, hay, wheat, potatoes for the Auckland market.[13] The town's Granger's brickworks operated from the 1878 until 1920,[5] and in 1900 the Nathan family established a butter factory.[3]
In 1910 the Nathan family subdivided their farm into 21 farms and farmlets, which grew the Whitford community.[3] Whitford Hall was built in 1912,[14] and from 1929 to 1934 during the Great Depression, the town hosted unemployment camps, where people could work at the Whitford Quarry.[15] During World War II, home guard troops dug trenches in the Turanga Creek, and built tank traps around Whitford.[16] In 1957, the Whitford Domain was opened as a sports ground and war memorial.[17]
By the early 2000s, Whitford had developed into a service centre for the surrounding rural area, and as a commuter suburb for city workers.[4] Due to urban growth in surrounding areas like Beachlands and Ormiston, the Whitford village area has seen a substantial increase in traffic flow.
Demographics
Statistics New Zealand describes Whitford as a rural settlement, which covers 0.18 km2 (0.069 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 110 as of June 2023,[2] with a population density of 611 people per km2. Whitford is in an SA1 statistical area which covers 1.20 km2 (0.46 sq mi).[1] The SA1 area is part of the larger Turanga statistical area.
Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
---|---|---|
2006 | 132 | — |
2013 | 165 | +3.24% |
2018 | 147 | −2.28% |
Source: [18] |
The SA1 statistical area had a population of 147 at the
Ethnicities were 87.8% European/Pākehā, 12.2% Māori, and 6.1% Asian. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 44.9% had no religion, 40.8% were Christian and 2.0% were Buddhist.
Of those at least 15 years old, 30 (25.0%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 15 (12.5%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $45,400, compared with $31,800 nationally. 36 people (30.0%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 66 (55.0%) people were employed full-time, 21 (17.5%) were part-time, and 3 (2.5%) were unemployed.[18]
Turanga statistical area
Turanga statistical area, which also includes Brookby, covers 84.60 km2 (32.66 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 3,350 as of June 2023,[19] with a population density of 40 people per km2.
Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
---|---|---|
2006 | 2,511 | — |
2013 | 2,802 | +1.58% |
2018 | 3,015 | +1.48% |
Source: [20] |
Before the 2023 census, Turanga had a larger boundary, covering 84.96 km2 (32.80 sq mi).
Ethnicities were 83.5% European/Pākehā, 7.5% Māori, 2.0% Pacific peoples, 13.4% Asian, and 2.3% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 28.2, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 51.6% had no religion, 37.7% were Christian, 0.1% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.3% were Hindu, 0.8% were Muslim, 1.3% were Buddhist and 1.8% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 663 (26.9%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 273 (11.1%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $45,500, compared with $31,800 nationally. 744 people (30.2%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 1,272 (51.6%) people were employed full-time, 468 (19.0%) were part-time, and 66 (2.7%) were unemployed.[20]
Amenities
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/52/Flickr_-_brewbooks_-_Reflection_at_Ayrlies.jpg/220px-Flickr_-_brewbooks_-_Reflection_at_Ayrlies.jpg)
- Ayrlies Garden, one of New Zealand's best-known gardens, is located in Whitford. In the areas surrounding the gardens is a lifestyle estate subdivision expected to be completed in the year 2022.
- Wades Walkway starts in Whitford, and follows the western banks of the Turanga Creek.[21]
Local government
The first local government in the area was the Turanga Highway District, which was designated in 1865 and began operating in 1866. The district was absorbed into the
Whitford is part of the Franklin local board area, who elects members of the Franklin Local Board. Residents of Whitford also elect the Franklin ward councillor, who sits on the Auckland Council.
References
- ^ a b c d e "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
- ^ a b "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 c d e f La Roche, Alan 2011, pp. 175.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "History of Howick, Pakuranga and surrounding areas". Times Newspapers. 11 April 2005. Archived from the original (web) on 25 October 2006. Retrieved 23 January 2008.
- ^ a b c d e f Clough, Rod; Hill, Kate; Bickler, Simon (April 2005). "Whitford Bypass: Archaeological Assessment" (PDF). Manukau City Council. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 23 January 2008.
- ^ OCLC 1135039710.
- ^ a b c Heritage Department of the Auckland Regional Council. "Duder Regional Park – Our History" (PDF). Auckland Council. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
- ^ a b c Green, Nat (2010). Ōtau: a Ngāi Tai Cultural Heritage Assessment of Clevedon Village, Wairoa Valley (PDF) (Report). Auckland Council. Retrieved 21 October 2022.
- ^ Ngāi Tai Ki Tāmaki and the Trustees of the Ngāi Tai Ki Tāmaki Trust and the Crown (7 November 2015). "Deed of settlement schedule documents" (PDF). NZ Government. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 February 2020. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
- ^ a b c Clough, Tom; Apfel, Aaron; Clough, Rod (June 2020). 109 Beachlands Road, Beachlands, Auckland: Preliminary Archaeological Assessment (PDF) (Report). Environmental Protection Authority. Retrieved 21 October 2022.
- ^ a b c d La Roche, Alan 2011, pp. 176.
- ^ La Roche, Alan 2011, p. 20.
- ^ La Roche, Alan 2011, pp. 184.
- ^ La Roche, Alan 2011, pp. 185.
- ^ La Roche, Alan 2011, pp. 255.
- ^ La Roche, Alan 2011, pp. 265.
- ^ La Roche, Alan 2011, pp. 302.
- ^ a b "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. 7007014.
- ^ "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. Turanga (157100). 2018 Census place summary: Turanga
- Wikidata Q118136068.
- ^ "13 June 1865". Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections. MJ_0760. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
- ^ "18 January 1954". Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections. MJ_3282. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
- ISSN 2324-1101.
Bibliography
- La Roche, Alan (2011). Grey's Folly: A History of Howick, Pakuranga, Bucklands-Eastern Beaches, East Tamaki, Whitford, Beachlands and Maraetai. Auckland: Tui Vale Productions. Wikidata Q118286377.