Toko

:"Toko was also the Japanese name for Tungkang, Pingtung, Taiwan. For the fictional character see T%C5%8Dko Aozaki."Infobox Settlement
name = Toko
population_total = 1164
population_as_of = 2006
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = New Zealand
subdivision_type1= Region
subdivision_name1= Taranaki
subdivision_type2= District
subdivision_name2= Stratford District
pushpin_

pushpin_label_position = left
latd = 39
latm = 20
lats = 12
latNS = S
longd = 174
longm = 23
longs = 27
longEW = E

Toko is a small rural settlement 10 kilometres east of Stratford, New Zealand, at the intersection of East Road (State Highway 43) and Toko Road. It is located on a railway, the Stratford - Okahukura Line, the western portion of which was operated as a branch line known as the Toko Branch prior to the line's completion. The Toko Stream flows through the area to join the Patea River. [cite book|title=Reed New Zealand Atlas|year=2004|id=ISBN 0-7900-0952-8|author=Peter Dowling (editor)|publisher=Reed Books|pages=map 35] [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 85]

The population of the Toko statistical area was 1164 in the 2006 Census, unchanged from 2001. The statistical area covers a large region to the east of Stratford, not just the settlement of Toko. [cite web|url=http://www.stats.govt.nz/census/2006-census-data/final-counts/tarankai-region.htm|title=Final counts – census night and census usually resident populations, and occupied dwellings - Stratford District|publisher=Statistics New Zealand]

Geography

Toko is surrounded by extremely fertile land, being located on the periphery of the Taranaki ringplain and adjacent to the Patea River. The area is drained by the Toko Stream, and its tributaries the Manawawiri and Wawiri Streams. Once covered in wetlands, since settlement the area has been drained to take advantage of the fertile soils. Dairy farming predominates the surrounding land use, with some sheep and beef farming in the steeper hill country.

History

Toko was established in the 1890s, and served as an important centre for the developing hinterland. The settlement took on the nature of a village, containing a railway station, a dairy factory, a church, a hall, a hotel, a sawmill, a trucking depot, a playcentre, a sports domain, and a number of other businesses and numerous dwellings. Toko School was established in 1893, and located on a site approximately 2 km east of Toko at the intersection of East Road and Wawiri Road.

Like other rural centres, Toko went into decline in the latter part of the 20th century. The railway station, dairy factory and sawmill all closed. However the factory buildings are now used for an engineering business, and the church, hall, domain, hotel, trucking depot, and an automotive workshop are still being used for business and social activities.

Born in Toko

*John (Jack) Walter, All Black and Taranaki rugby football representative
*Toss Woollaston, New Zealand painter (1910-1998)

Education

Toko School is a coeducational full primary (years 1-8) school with a decile rating of 8 and a roll of 97. [cite web|url=http://www.tki.org.nz/e/schools/display_school_info.php?school_id=2254|title=Te Kete Ipurangi - Toko School|publisher=Ministry of Education] The school was founded in 1893. [cite book|title=Toko School and district centennial, 1893-1993|editor=Cliff Lawrence|year=1993]

Notes

External links

* [http://www.toko.school.nz Toko School website]

References

*Church, Ian (1990), The Stratford Inheritance. Heritage Press Ltd., Waikanae, New Zealand.

Further reading

General historical works

:*citation |first = Ian |last = Church |title = The Stratford Inheritance |place = Waikanae, [N.Z.] |publisher = Heritage Press |year = 1990 :*citation |first = Cliff (ed.) |last = Lawrence |title = Toko School and district centennial |place = Stratford, [N.Z.] |publisher = The School |year = 1993 :*citation |first = Trevor (comp.) |last = Rowe |title = Toko School and district 75th jubilee, 1893-1968 |place = Toko, [N.Z.] |publisher = School Jubilee Committee |year = 1968

chools

:*citation |first = Cliff (ed.) |last = Lawrence |title = Toko School and district centennial |place = Stratford, [N.Z.] |publisher = The School |year = 1993 :*citation |first = Trevor (comp.) |last = Rowe |title = Toko School and district 75th jubilee, 1893-1968 |place = Toko, [N.Z.] |publisher = School Jubilee Committee |year = 1968

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