Ruakaka

Infobox Settlement
name = Ruakaka
population_total = 2913
population_as_of = 2006
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = New Zealand
subdivision_type1= Region
subdivision_name1= Northland Region
subdivision_type2= District
subdivision_name2= Whangarei District
pushpin_

latd = 35
latm = 54
lats = 17
latNS = S
longd = 174
longm = 26
longs = 59
longEW = E

Ruakaka is a small township in the North of New Zealand approximately 30 kilometres South of Whangarei. Originally a small beachside community, Ruakaka has seen development due to its proximity to the expansion of the country's only oil refinery at Marsden Point during the 1980s. A recently established timber processing plant at Marsden Point has further stimulated growth. [cite web|url=http://www.whangareinz.com/business/industries/forestry/|title=Forestry and Wood Processing|publisher=Enterprise Northland]

The population of the Marsden Point-Ruakaka statistical area was 2,913 in the 2006 Census, an increase of 255 from 2001.cite web|url=http://www.stats.govt.nz/census/2006-census-data/final-counts/northland-region.htm|title=Final counts – census night and census usually resident populations, and occupied dwellings - Whangarei District|publisher=Statistics New Zealand]

Geography

Naming

Ruakaka is a combination of the two words "Rua" and "Kaka". Rua is a Maori word for two and Kaka is a native parrot (Nestor meridionalis).

Districts

The general area is made up of Ruakaka Beach, Ruakaka Township and Marsden Point. Other suburbs such as One Tree Point, Takahiwai and even Waipu are often included in general conversation regarding the area. (Latitude -35.8833, Longitude 174.4000)

Ruakaka Beach lies near the mouth of the Ruakaka River which boasts a rare bird reserve and popular Summer camping ground. It is primarily a residential area made up of a mixture of permanent homes and beach shacks.

The Ruakaka Township was developed off the back of the Marsden Point Oil Refinery expansion in the 1980's where services were required to support the large influx of workers from all over the world involved in the project. A government requirement for a percentage of revenue invested in the project to be spent on the local community allowed for provision of services not common in communities this size (eg. Squash courts, sports grounds).

The Marsden Point Village was built to support the Marsden Power Stations (A & B) which have since been decommissioned. The area is now promoted as beach-side living.

Beaches

The bay has beautiful sandy white beaches looking out towards the Hen and Chicken Islands and Sail Rock.

Climate

The region's geographical location results in warm humid summers and mild winters. Typical summer temperatures range from 22 °C to 26 °C (72 °F to 79 °F). Ground frosts are virtually unknown. The hottest months are January and February. Typical annual rainfall for the region is 1500 – 2000 mm. Winds year-round are predominantly from the southwest.

History

The area of Ruakaka is located in Bream Bay which was named by Captain Cook during his first voyage to New Zealand when he visited the region on 25 November 1769. It was named due to the ease of capture of 90-100 bream fish soon after anchoring.

Education

Bream Bay College is a secondary (years 7-15) school with a roll of 457. [cite web|url=http://www.tki.org.nz/e/schools/display_school_info.php?school_id=20|title=Te Kete Ipurangi - Bream Bay College|publisher=Ministry of Education]

Ruakaka School is a contributing primary (years 1-6) school. It has a roll of 127. [cite web|url=http://www.tki.org.nz/e/schools/display_school_info.php?school_id=1094|title=Te Kete Ipurangi - Ruakaka School|publisher=Ministry of Education]

Both schools are coeducational and have a decile rating of 4.

Ruakaka School opened in 1898 in North Ruakaka. Until 1916 it was a half-time school sharing a teacher with Mata School. The school moved to its present site in 1912. Bream Bay College started in 1972 as a Forms 3-7 (years 9-13) school on the site of Waipu District High School. It moved to Ruakaka in February 1974 and expanded to include Forms 1 and 2 (years 7-8). [cite book|title=Ruakaka (A Brief History)|last=Richards|first=Judy|year=1984|pages=pp 77-80, 84] [cite book|title=Pride of the Lion: Waipu - the People and the Place|last=Gordon|first=Charles MacNeill (Mac)|chapter=Education Always a Priority|year=2002|isbn=0-473-08890-8|pages=pp 209-221]

Attractions and landmarks

The following is a list of tourist attractions and landmarks in the Ruakaka Local Area.
* Ruakaka Race Course
* New Zealand Oil Refinery Visitors Centre
* Waipu Golf Course
* Waipu Pizza Barn
* The Shearing Shed
* Ruakaka Kitesports

Railway proposal

A branch line railway to Marsden Point from Oakleigh on the North Auckland Line has recently been proposed. This Marsden Point Branch will primarily serve freight interests, but the Northland Regional Land Transport Committee has suggested that passenger trains for commuters between Ruakaka and Whangarei are a long-term option. ["All aboard for Ruakaka", "Whangarei Leader", 21 February 2006.]

References

External links

* [http://breambaycollege.school.nz/ Bream Bay College website]
* [http://www.ruakakakitesports.co.nz/ Ruakaka Kitesports website]