Whangamomona

The Whangamomona coord|39|8.6|S|174|44.2|E|region:NZ_type:city(40)|display=title township was established in 1895 and is located on the State Highway 43 (Lost World Highway) between Taumarunui and Stratford, and on the picturesque Stratford - Okahukura railway line, in New Zealand.

Republic Day

In 1989, regional council boundaries were redrawn, with an emphasis on catchments being connected. These revised maps made Whangamomona part of the Manawatu-Wanganui Region. Residents wanted to continue to be part of the Taranaki Region, and on 1 November 1989, they responded by declaring themselves the "Republic of Whangamomona" at the first Republic Day. Though the move began as a pointed protest, the town continued to hold a celebratory Republic Day once a year, during which a vote for President was held. The day has become a local festival day, and attracts visitors from throughout the North Island. In 2001, the celebration became biannual, held in January to take advantage of the summer weather.

Presidents

Ian Kjestrup (1989-1999)
After being put on the ballot without his knowledge, he became the first elected President. Served 10 years

Billy Gumboot the Goat (1999-2001)
First elected animal. He won election by eating the other challengers ballots. He died in office after serving for 18 months.

Tai the Poodle (2003-2004)
Tai retired after an assassination attempt left him a nervous wreck.

Murt "Murtle the Turtle" Kennard (2005-Present)
The local garage owner fought off strong competition from former president Kjestrup and a cross-dresser called "Miriam" to become the 4th President of Whangamomona.

References

* [http://www.pukeariki.com/en/stories/entertainmentandleisure/whangapub.asp Republic of Whangamomona Hotel]
* [http://www.pukeariki.com/en/stories/entertainmentandleisure/whangapres.asp?pageType=print Population stats and presidents]

Further reading

General historical works

:*citation |title = Marco & district Schools centennial: 1898-1998 |place = Whangamomona(?), [N.Z.] |publisher = Marco and District School Centennial Committee |year = 1998

:*citation |title = Opening of the road to Aotuhia: tour of the Stratford County hill country, organised by the Stratford County and the Dept. of Land and Survey (New Plymouth) |place = Stratford, [N.Z.] |publisher = Stratford County Council |year = 1985

:*citation |title = RSA Memorial Arch, Ohawe Military Cemetery, Okaiawa Cemetery, Otakeho Cemetery, Tahora Cemetery, Te Namu Maori Cemetery, Waihi Cemetery, Whangamomona Cemetery |place = n.p. |publisher = n.p. |year = n.d.

:*citation |first = Ian N. |last = Church |title = The Stratford inheritance: a history of Stratford and the Whangamomona counties |place = Waikanae, [N.Z.] |publisher = Heritage Press |year = 1990 |ISBN = 0-908-70817-3

:*citation |first = James |last = Garcia |title = History of Whangamomona County: published by the Whangamomona Centennial Celebrations Committee as a centennial memorial and dedicated to the pioneer settlers of the district |place = New Plymouth, [N.Z.] |publisher = Whangamomona Centennial Celebrations Committee |year = 1940

:*citation |first = Derek |last = Morris |title = All for nought: the Whangamomona road, Aotuhia, Okara Valley: the bridge to somewhere: Aotuhia |place = Inglewood, [N.Z.] |publisher = D. Morris |year = 2004

:*citation |first = David E. |last = Walter |title = Farming and social patterns in the Whangamomona Riding of Stratford County Council, Taranaki, 1979 [presented for Kellogg's rural leadership course, Lincoln College, 1979] |place = Stratford, [N.Z.] |publisher = David E. Walter |year = 1979

:*citation |first = David E. |last = Walter |title = Whangamomona Riding of Stratford County Council: farming and social patterns, 1994 review |place = Stratford, [N.Z.] |publisher = David E. Walter |year = 1994

Churches

"Anglican"

:*citation |first = Ronald William Wiseman |last = Alexander |title = The experiences of the Rev. R.W.W. Alexander among the Russians, lumberjacks, cowboys in Western Canada: and in the backblocks of New Zealand at Whangamomona, Kawhia, Murchison. |place = Nelson, [N.Z.] |publisher = Nelson Mail |year = 1946

:*citation |first = Ronald William Wiseman |last = Alexander |title = The experiences of the Rev. R.W.W. Alexander among the Russians, lumberjacks, cowboys in Western Canada: and in the backblocks of New Zealand at Whangamomona, Kawhia, Murchison. |place = Christchurch, [N.Z.] |publisher = Kiwi Publishers |year = c.1995

:*NB: This is a "reprint" of a title originally published in 1946 by the "Nelson Mail."

Environment

:*citation |author1 = New Zealand Dept. of Agriculture |author2 = New Zealand Forest Service |title = Report on King Country opossum survey, 24 October, 1967 to 8 March, 1968 |place = Wellington, [N.Z.] |publisher = New Zealand Dept. of Agriculture ; New Zealand Forest Service |year = 1968

:*The five pest destruction districts covered by the survey were: "Te Kuiti, Aria, Hunua, Tokirima" and "Whangamomona".

Maps

:*citation |author = NZ Department of Lands & Survey |title = Map of Clifton & Whangamomona counties [NZMS 15; scale = 1:63 360 (i.e. 1 in. to the mile)] |place = Wellington, [N.Z.] |publisher = NZ Department of Lands & Survey |year = 1926

:*citation |author = NZ Department of Lands & Survey |title = Whangamomona [NZMS 261 Sheet R19; scale = 1:50 000 (i.e. 1/1.27 in. to the mile)] |place = Wellington, [N.Z.] |publisher = NZ Department of Lands & Survey |year = 1979

:*citation |author = NZ Department of Lands & Survey |title = Whangamomona [NZMS 261 Sheet R19; scale = 1:50 000 (i.e. 1/1.27 in. to the mile)] |place = Wellington, [N.Z.] |publisher = NZ Department of Lands & Survey |year = 1985

:*citation |author = NZ Department of Lands & Survey |title = Whangamomona [NZMS 261 Sheet R19; scale = 1:50 000 (i.e. 1/1.27 in. to the mile)] |place = Wellington, [N.Z.] |publisher = NZ Department of Lands & Survey |year = 1988

:*citation |first = J. F. |last = Frith |title = Plan of the town of Whangamomona, Block I, Mahoe Survey District [NZMS 16; scale = 1:4 752 (i.e. 1/13.3 in. to the mile)] |place = Wellington, [N.Z.] |publisher = NZ Department of Lands & Survey |year = 1904

:*citation |author = New Zealand Soil Bureau |title = Soil map of Taumarunui, Ohura, and Whangamomona Counties [Scale = 1:253 440 (i.e. 1/4 in. to the mile)] |place = n.p |publisher = n.p. |year = n.p

People

:*citation |first = Ronald William Wiseman |last = Alexander |title = The experiences of the Rev. R.W.W. Alexander among the Russians, lumberjacks, cowboys in Western Canada: and in the backblocks of New Zealand at Whangamomona, Kawhia, Murchison. |place = Nelson, [N.Z.] |publisher = Nelson Mail |year = 1946

:*citation |first = Ronald William Wiseman |last = Alexander |title = The experiences of the Rev. R.W.W. Alexander among the Russians, lumberjacks, cowboys in Western Canada: and in the backblocks of New Zealand at Whangamomona, Kawhia, Murchison. |place = Christchurch, [N.Z.] |publisher = Kiwi Publishers |year = c.1995

:*NB: This is a "reprint" of a title originally published in 1946 by the "Nelson Mail."

An account of time spent in Whangamomona is that of Thora Gollop "(née Bovis)". Her story was read out on the Radio New Zealand National programme, "Sounds historical": in the "As I remember" slot. It is published within the following title:

:*citation |first = Jim (comp.) |last = Sullivan |title = As I remember: stories from 'Sounds historical' |place = Auckland, [N.Z.] |publisher = Tandem Press |year = 1999

chools

:*citation |title = Marco & district Schools centennial: 1898-1998 |place = Whangamomona(?), [N.Z.] |publisher = Marco and District School Centennial Committee |year = 1998 :*citation |title = Marco School: golden jubilee, 1898-1948 |place = New Plymouth, [N.Z.] |publisher = Taranaki Daily News |year = 1948

:*citation |title = Tahora and Raekohua, Upper Whangamomona School centennial, 1897-1997: 100 years of history |place = Stratford, [N.Z.] |publisher = Combined Tahora, Raekohua and Upper Whangamomona Schools Centennial, Centenary Committee |year = 1997 |ISBN = 0-473-05672-0

:*citation |first = Tony |last = Goonan |title = Whangamomona School 75th jubilee: Saturday 20th January, 1979 |place = Stratford, [N.Z.] |publisher = Stratford Press |year = 1979

:*citation |first = Alan E. |last = Howley |title = Whangamomona School golden jubilee: February 26th, 27th and 28th, 1954 |place = Stratford, [N.Z.] |publisher = C.F. Kilburn, Broadway Printing Office |year = 1954

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