Waimangaroa

Infobox Settlement
name = Waimangaroa
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = New Zealand
subdivision_type1= Region
subdivision_name1= West Coast
subdivision_type2= District
subdivision_name2= Buller District
pushpin_

pushpin_label_position = top
latd = 41
latm = 42
lats = 46
latNS = S
longd = 171
longm = 45
longs = 46
longEW = E

Waimangaroa is a small town located on the West Coast of New Zealand.

The township lies on the south-west bank of the Waimangaroa River, at the western foot of the Mt William Range. It is 17 kilometres to the north east of Westport and 13 km south-east of Granity. The abandoned coaltown of Denniston is about 5 km to the south-east. [cite book|title=Reed New Zealand Atlas|year=2004|id=ISBN 0-7900-0952-8|author=Peter Dowling (editor)|publisher=Reed Books|pages=map 63] [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 141] The Bridle Track, a scenic bush track, leads south-east along the Denniston Incline into the foothills of the Mt William Range, to Denniston. [cite web|url=http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/trackandwalk.aspx?id=36476|title=Denniston walking tracks|publisher=Department of Conservation|accessdate=2008-07-18] The Stockton mine, a large open cast coal mine, is operated in the vicinity by Solid Energy. [cite web|url=http://www.coalnz.com/index.cfm/1,203,0,49,html|title=Stockton (Opencast)|publisher=Solid Energy|accessdate=2008-07-18]

The Ngakawau Branch, a branch line railway, runs through the town. It opened to Waimangaroa on 5 August 1876; it formerly ran to Seddonville but now terminates in Ngakawau. From 1877 until 1967, Waimangaroa was also the junction for the Conns Creek Branch, which ran east alongside the Waimangaroa River to the foot of the Denniston Incline. Passenger services ceased on the Conns Creek Branch in 1931 and Ngakawau Branch on 14 October 1946. Since this time, the railway through Waimangaroa has almost solely conveyed coal.

The beaches to the west have dangerous currents and are not safe for swimming. [cite book|title=The Companion Guide to Westland|first=Errol|last=Brathwaite|year=1981|isbn=0-00-216967-3|pages=p 80]

Education

Waimangaroa School is a coeducational full primary (years 1-8) school with a decile rating of 2 and a roll of 38. [cite web|url=http://www.tki.org.nz/e/schools/display_school_info.php?school_id=3232|title=Te Kete Ipurangi - Waimangaroa School|publisher=Ministry of Education] The school celebrated its 125th jubilee in 2004. [cite journal|url=http://www.edgazette.govt.nz/notices.php/notices.php?action=view&id=602082|title=Jubilees & reunions: Waimangaroa School, 125th Jubilee|journal=Education Gazette New Zealand|volume=83|issue=3|date=22 February 2004]

Notes