Harihari

Infobox Settlement
name = Harihari
population_total = 351
population_as_of = 2006
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = New Zealand
subdivision_type1= Region
subdivision_name1= West Coast
subdivision_type2= District
subdivision_name2= Westland District
pushpin_

pushpin_label_position = right
latd = 43
latm = 9
lats = 0
latNS = S
longd = 170
longm = 33
longs = 43
longEW = E

Harihari, sometimes Hari Hari, is a small rural settlement in the Westland District of the West Coast region of New Zealand's South Island. It is slightly inland from the Tasman Sea and the Saltwater Lagoon and is situated between the Wanganui and Poerua Rivers near the tourist township of Pukekura. State Highway 6 passes through the town on its route from Ross to the Franz Josef Glacier. The Westland District's largest town, Hokitika is 73 km to the north-east. Ross is 46 km to the north-east, and Franz Josef is 32 km south 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 74] [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 164]

The population of Harihari and its surrounds was 351 in the 2006 Census, an increase of 3 from 2001. [cite web|url=http://www.stats.govt.nz/census/2006-census-data/final-counts/west-coast-region.htm|title=Final counts – census night and census usually resident populations, and occupied dwellings - Westland District|publisher=Statistics New Zealand] .

Harihari was once a logging settlement and relics of a bush tramway that used to carry timber can be found in the area. Today, the forest in the area is protected and popular activities in the Harihari area include bushwalking, birdwatching, and trout and salmon fishing.

The Inter-Wanganui Co-op opened a dairy factory at Harihari in 1908, [cite web|url=http://digital-library.canterbury.ac.nz/awweb/awarchive?item=223264&type=meta|title=Inter-Wanganui Co-op dairy factory opening|publisher=University of Canterbury library|accessdate=2008-08-05] but it is now a ruin. [cite web|url=http://www.panoramio.com/photo/8756626|title=Inter-Wanganui Co-op Dairy Co|publisher=Panoramio|accessdate=2008-08-05]

Harihari's main claim to fame occurred on 7 January 1931 when Australian aviator Guy Menzies landed upside down in a swamp near Harihari, completing the first solo flight across the Tasman Sea. Menzies, who had left Sydney 11 hours and 45 minutes earlier, was aiming for Blenheim but had been blown off course and mistook a swamp for flat pasture suitable for landing. Despite the accident, he was unharmed. On 7 January 2006, 75th anniversary celebrations of the feat were held in Harihari, with roughly 400 people in attendance. To mark the occasion, Dick Smith recreated Guy Menzies' flight, though Smith chose to land upright in Harihari. [cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/dick-smith-recreates-first-solo-transtasman-flight/2006/01/07/1136609980878.html|publisher=Sydney Morning Herald|title=Dick Smith recreates first solo trans-Tasman flight|date=8 January 2006]

Education

South Westland Area School is a coeducational composite (years 1-15) school with a decile rating of 4 and a roll of 111. [cite web|url=http://www.tki.org.nz/e/schools/display_school_info.php?school_id=306|title=Te Kete Ipurangi - South Westland Area School|publisher=Ministry of Education] The school has a satellite class at url=http://www.ero.govt.nz/ero eppub.nsf/Institution/1B8F7045F8548CD7CC257179000F6822/$File/306.htm|title=Supplementary Review Report: South Westland Area School|publisher=Education Review Office|date=May 2006]

Notes

External links

* [http://www.southwestlandarea.school.nz South Westland Area School website]