Leigh, New Zealand

Infobox Settlement
name = Leigh
population_total = 387
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 = 17
lats = 33
latNS = S
longd = 174
longm = 48
longs = 13
longEW = E

Leigh is a small coastal community in the north of the Auckland Region of New Zealand. It lies on the west side of Omaha Cove, a small inlet within Omaha Bay to the south of Cape Rodney. It is 13km from Matakana, 21km from Warkworth and approximately 92km north of Auckland City. It is most noted for being the nearest town to Goat Island Marine Reserve the first of its type in New Zealand. The reserve is also the location for the University of Auckland's Marine Laboratory.Wises New Zealand Guide, 7th Edition, 1979. p.200.]

The population was 387 in the 2006 Census, a decrease of 36 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]

Recreation

The Leigh district provides several venues for rugby, golf, touch rugby, soccer and other sports. The Rodney district's rugby team, the "Rodney Rams", is based at Whangateau with clubrooms at Whangateau Reserve. The reserve is also used for local touch rugby tournaments.

There are a number of beaches close to Leigh including Omaha, Goat Island, Whangateau and Pakiri. There are also numerous fishing spots and seafood hunting areas. Goat Island Marine Reserve provides several organised features including scenic marine observations, glass-bottom boat trips and scuba-diving; fishing is strictly prohibited.

"Daniel's Reef" is the most well known surfing spot in the Leigh area.

Newspapers

The Leigh community newspaper is the "Leigh Rag". The "Mahurangi Local Matters" and "Rodney Times" newspapers are also delivered in the area.

Education

Leigh School is the local primary school. It is a coeducational contributing primary (years 1-6) school with a decile rating of 5 and a roll of 62. [cite web|url=http://www.tki.org.nz/e/schools/display_school_info.php?school_id=1340|title=Te Kete Ipurangi - Leigh School|publisher=Ministry of Education] The adjacent Leigh Community Preschool [http://www.leighpre.co.nz] accepts children from age 6 months to 5 years. The two schools work together to provide a seamless, minimally stressful transition for children entering school. A large number of children living in Leigh attend the much larger Matakana Primary, 10km distant. Homeschooling is also popular in the Leigh area.

High school students are served by Mahurangi College in Warkworth and Rodney College in Wellsford. There are no intermediate schools in the Greater Warkworth District, therefore The Ministry of Education has referred intermediate students to the nearby colleges.

Festivals and events

The Leigh School Carnival [ [http://www.leighcarnival.co.nz Leigh Primary School Easter Carnival] ] is held every Easter Sunday at the Primary School. The Leigh Volunteer Fire Brigade hosts an annual fishing competition.

Industry

Leigh is primarily a fishing village. It exports fresh fish both nationally and internationally. The Leigh Fish and Chips shop is well-known for the quality of its offerings.

References

External links

* [http://www.seafriends.org.nz/issues/res/gi/ Goat Island Marine Reserve]
* [http://www.glassbottomboat.co.nz/ Glass Bottom Boat]
* [http://www.zoomin.co.nz/nz/rodney/leigh/?place/iframe Detailed map]
* [http://www.leigh.school.nz/ Leigh Primary School]
* [http://www.mahurangi.school.nz/ Mahurangi College, North Auckland]
* [http://www.schools.roadshow.org/rodneycollege/ Rodney College, North Auckland]
* [http://www.leighbythesea.co.nz/ Business Association Leigh Webpage (Leigh by the Sea)]