Titahi Bay

Titahi Bay is a suburb of Porirua in the North Island of New Zealand. It is located at the foot of a short peninsula along the west coast of the Porirua Harbour, to the north of Porirua city centre. The suburb's population in 2006 was 7,527 [ [http://www.teara.govt.nz/Places/Wellington/WellingtonPlaces/13/en Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand] ] .

Many scenes from the Taika Waititi movie "Eagle vs Shark" were shot on location in Titahi Bay [ [http://www.nzff.co.nz/default.aspx?id=4522&region=2&x=1 New Zealand International Film Festivals] ] .

History

The legendary Polynesian navigator Kupe landed at Komanga Point, 3 kilometres west of Titahi Bay, leaving an anchor stone which today can be seen at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.

The area was settled by Māori for many years before the arrival of Europeans, and several pa sites are located nearby. The area was also the site of many inter-iwi conflicts, notably in the 1820s, when the area was invaded by the followers of Te Rauparaha.

The first European residents were whalers operating from Korohiwa, between Titahi Bay and Komanga Point.

During World War II, a camp housing US military personnel was built in Titahi Bay [http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/war/us-forces-in-new-zealand/the-camps] .

Features

Titahi Bay Beach

Titahi Bay is one kilometre from end to end and forms a bay [ [http://www.surf.co.nz/beach_guide/beachguide.asp?beachKey=186 Titahi Bay beach guide] ] .

Surfing is a popular activity at Titahi Bay. Titahi Bay is a beach break that can be surfed on all tides and during periods of onshore winds is generally the time to go there.

The Titahi Bay Surf Life Saving Club is located in the centre of the bay.

The boat sheds at the northern and southern ends of the beach are often featured in photographs of the area.

The fossilised remains of a forest from the Pleistocene era are located at Titahi Bay and form an intertidal reef [http://www.gw.govt.nz/story1066.cfm] . The forest was dominated by podocarps and tree-ferns and dates from the last interglacial period 150,000–70,000 years ago [http://www.pcc.govt.nz/GetImage.aspx?ImageID=020c8549-0b02-4cfd-9263-404c2519e352] .

Titahi Bay Volunteer Fire Brigade

Founded in 1945, the Titahi Bay Volunteer Fire Brigade operates a Type 3 (Heavy Pump) Appliance [http://www.111emergency.co.nz/NM802.htm] and currently has 20 volunteer Firefighters [ [http://www3.fire.org.nz/cms.php?page=3020 New Zealand Fire Service] ] . The Titahi Bay Volunteer Fire Brigade operates in the New Zealand Fire Service's Arapawa Fire Region [ [http://www3.fire.org.nz/cms.php?page=8 New Zealand Fire Service] ] .

Porirua Little Theatre

Founded in 1950 as Titahi Bay Little Theatre by Ellinore Ginn [ [http://www.plt.wellington.net.nz/ Porirua Little Theatre] ] in the recreation hall used by US Marines encamped at Titahi Bay during World War II [ [http://www.pcc.govt.nz/GetImage.aspx?ImageID=b29d543d-dde4-4b79-bc66-4f6c933a128e Former American Marines Hall] ] .

Transportation

Bus routes servicing Titahi Bay:

Route 68 [ [http://metlink.org.nz/timetables.php?route=068 MetLink Route 68 Information] ]

Runs between Richard Street and Porirua Railway Station, stopping at following stops (among others);

*Titahi Bay - Richard Street
*Gloaming Hill - Maplebeck Street
*Whitireia Polytechnic - Te Hiko St Medical Centre
*Porirua Railway Station - Stop C

Route 69 [ [http://metlink.org.nz/timetables.php?route=069 MetLink Route 69 Information] ]

Runs between Pikarere Street and Porirua Railway Station, stopping at following stops (among others);

*Titahi Bay - Pikarere Street (near 132)
*Titahi Bay Library - Tireti Road (opposite)
*Whitireia Polytechnic - Titahi Bay Road
*Whitireia Polytechnic - Te Hiko St Medical Centre
*Porirua Railway Station - Stop C

Education

Educational facilities in Titahi Bay:

Primary Schools

* Ngāti Toa School
* St Pius X School [ [http://www.tki.org.nz/e/schools/display_school_info.php?school_id=3022 Te Kete Ipurangi - Ministry of Education] ]
* [http://www.titahibay.school.nz/ Titahi Bay School]
* [http://www.titahibaynorth.school.nz/ Titahi Bay North School]

Intermediate School

* [http://www.bayintermediate.co.nz/ Titahi Bay Intermediate]

ports

Sporting organisations in Titahi Bay:
* [http://www.tbbc.org.nz/ Titahi Bay Boating Club]
*Titahi Bay Bowling Club
* [http://www.titahigolf.com/ Titahi Bay Golf Club]
*Titahi Bay Surf Life Saving Club
*Titahi Bay Tennis Club

Notable Residents

Notable residents of the suburb have included international golfer Michael Campbell, New Zealand popstar Rob Arnold from the chart topping group Boyband, TV/Radio personality Gary McCormick and Writer/Painter Ellinore Ginn [ [http://www.pcc.govt.nz/web_frameset.asp?pageID=100000044&id=&link=yes Porirua City Council Visitor Information] ] . Musician Matt Chicoine (aka Recloose) lived in Titahi Bay prior to moving to Auckland [ [http://www.myspace.com/mattchicoine MySpace.com - Recloose - Detroit - Tropical / Techno / Funk - www.myspace.com/mattchicoine ] ] .

Sports stars such as Lynnette Brooky, Tamati Ellison, Dejan Gunson, Leilani Read and Rachael Warren were all born and raised in Titahi Bay.

ee also

* Titahi Bay Transmitter

References

External links

* [http://www.surf.co.nz/reports/wellington.asp?camera=TitahiBay Titahi Bay webcam]
* [http://www.titahigolf.com/ Titahi Golf Club]
* [http://titch.co.nz/?page_id=6 Surfing at Titahi Bay]