Parakai

Infobox Settlement
name = Parakai
population_total = 1,371
population_as_of = 2006
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = New Zealand
subdivision_type1= Region
subdivision_name1= Auckland Region
subdivision_type2= District
subdivision_name2= Rodney District
pushpin_

pushpin_label_position = top
latd = 36
latm = 39
lats = 49
latNS = S
longd = 174
longm = 26
longs = 10
longEW = E

Parakai is a village in the North Island of New Zealand. It is sited 43 kilometres northwest of Auckland, close to the southern extremity of the Kaipara Harbour. Helensville is about 3 km to the south-east, and Waioneke is 22 km to the north-west. [cite book|title=Reed New Zealand Atlas|year=2004|id=ISBN 0-7900-0952-8|author=Peter Dowling (editor)|publisher=Reed Books|pages=map 10] [cite book|title=The Geographic Atlas of New Zealand|year=2005|id=ISBN 1-877333-20-4|author=Roger Smith, GeographX|publisher=Robbie Burton|pages=map 34]

The population of Parakai and its surrounds was 1,271 in the 2006 Census, an increase of 192 from 2001. [cite web|url=http://www.stats.govt.nz/census/2006-census-data/final-counts/auckland-region.htm|title=Final counts – census night and census usually resident populations, and occupied dwellings - Rodney District|publisher=Statistics New Zealand]

Parakai is noted for its hot springs with geothermal mineral water occurring naturally. There is a complex of mineral pools and recreational activities.

The main population of Parakai sits in the vicinity of Parkhurst Rd, the main road leading out to South Head. South Head incorporates a significant agricultural, dairy farming, sheep farming and deer farming community. Closer to the town centre is the Fordyce farming community which is mostly agricultural.

The small Maori village situated at Haranui Marae is about 25km from Parakai and is an integral part of the Parakai community.

A major attraction of Parakai is Parakai Aerodrome, which has a 7m x 760m rolled limestone runway. Hangarage, maintenance, fuel and other services are available to visiting or local aviators and Skydiving draws people from all over the greater Auckland area. A wide range of light aviation activity has been carried out from Parakai since the 1960s.

Parakai Rugby Club existed between 1918 and 1937 before amalgamating with the Helensville Rugby club in 1943.

Education

Parakai School is a coeducational full primary school catering for years 1-8, with a decile rating of 3 and a roll of 181. [cite web|url=http://www.tki.org.nz/e/schools/display_school_info.php?school_id=1432|title=Te Kete Ipurangi - Parakai School|publisher=Ministry of Education] The school opened in 1958, and celebrates its 50th jubilee in 2008. [cite journal|url=http://www.edgazette.govt.nz/notices.php/notices.php?action=view&id=611714|title=Parakai School 50th Jubilee|journal=Education Gazette New Zealand|volume=87|issue=11|date=30 June 2008] A major programme of rebuilding in 2002-2004 has seen the school totally modernised. [cite web|url=http://www.helensville.co.nz/parakaiprimary.htm|title=Parakai Primary School|accessdate=2008-09-13]

The Parakai School community catchment area reaches from the immediate flats surrounding the Kaipara River and up the South Kaipara Heads Peninsula.

Notes

External links

* [http://www.parakai.com Parakai website]