Whangarei Heads
Encyclopedia
Whangarei Heads is a locality and promontory on the northern side of the Whangarei Harbour in Northland, New Zealand
. Whangarei
is 29 km to the north west, and Ocean Beach is 8 km to the south east, with Taurikura
between the two. Mount Manaia
rises to 420 m to the east.
Immediately to the west is McLeod Bay, which is about 2 km long. The McDonald sandbank lies a few metres offshore at low tide. The promontory to the south of the settlement consists of a hill, Mount Aubrey, and a small gravel beach about 200 metres wide, Reotahi Bay.
purchased the entire peninsula - everything south of a line running from McLeod Bay to the Pacific Coast, about 10000 acres (40.5 km²) - from the Māori Chief Te Tao, in 1839. He intended to resell it to Captain Bernard, but the latter was lost with his ship. The Chief Te Tirarau claimed compensation of three horses because his ancestor had had blood spilt on the land, but settled for two horses in 1844. The government review of the land purchase in 1844 awarded Mair only 414 acres (1.7 km²), but Mair had sold his interest in the land to John Logan Campbell
. Campbell pursued his claim to the remainder of the land.
A group of settlers from Nova Scotia
, led by the Rev. Norman McLeod, settled at McLeod Bay in about 1855 although the ownership of the land had not been settled. In 1861, Campbell received the right to buy 1800 acres (7.3 km²) at 10/- an acre, and was granted 910 acres (3.7 km²) which he sold to the Nova Scotians.
of 9 and a roll of 107. The school was established in 1858, and is the second oldest school still in operation on its original site in the country.
The current principal is Lil Ogle.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. Whangarei
Whangarei
Whangarei, pronounced , is the northernmost city in New Zealand and the regional capital of Northland Region. Although commonly classified as a city, it is officially part of the Whangarei District, administered by the Whangarei District Council a local body created in 1989 to administer both the...
is 29 km to the north west, and Ocean Beach is 8 km to the south east, with Taurikura
Taurikura
thumb|250px|right|Taurikura General Store and [[Mt Manaia]]thumb|250px|The dramatic outline of [[Mt Manaia]] viewed from the harbour coastline of Taurikura...
between the two. Mount Manaia
Mount Manaia
Mount Manaia is a dominant landmark approximately 30 kilometres southeast of Whangarei city on the Whangarei Heads peninsula.Standing 420 metres, the summit offers outstanding views of the Marsden Point Oil Refinery, Bream Bay and the Hauraki Gulf to the south, Whangarei Harbour to the...
rises to 420 m to the east.
Immediately to the west is McLeod Bay, which is about 2 km long. The McDonald sandbank lies a few metres offshore at low tide. The promontory to the south of the settlement consists of a hill, Mount Aubrey, and a small gravel beach about 200 metres wide, Reotahi Bay.
History
Gilbert MairGilbert Mair (trader)
Gilbert Mair was a sailor and a merchant trader who visited New Zealand for the first time when he was twenty, and lived there from 1824 till his death. He married Elizabeth Gilbert Puckey. They had twelve children. Among them were "famous New Zealanders" like Captain Gilbert Mair and Major...
purchased the entire peninsula - everything south of a line running from McLeod Bay to the Pacific Coast, about 10000 acres (40.5 km²) - from the Māori Chief Te Tao, in 1839. He intended to resell it to Captain Bernard, but the latter was lost with his ship. The Chief Te Tirarau claimed compensation of three horses because his ancestor had had blood spilt on the land, but settled for two horses in 1844. The government review of the land purchase in 1844 awarded Mair only 414 acres (1.7 km²), but Mair had sold his interest in the land to John Logan Campbell
John Logan Campbell
Sir John Logan Campbell was a prominent New Zealand public figure. He was the son of Doctor John Campbell and his wife Catherine. He was described by his contemporaries as "the father of Auckland".- Early life:...
. Campbell pursued his claim to the remainder of the land.
A group of settlers from Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
, led by the Rev. Norman McLeod, settled at McLeod Bay in about 1855 although the ownership of the land had not been settled. In 1861, Campbell received the right to buy 1800 acres (7.3 km²) at 10/- an acre, and was granted 910 acres (3.7 km²) which he sold to the Nova Scotians.
Education
Whangarei Heads School is a coeducational full primary (years 1-8) school with a decile ratingSocio-Economic Decile
Decile, Socio-Economic Decile or Socio-Economic Decile Band is a widely used measure in education in New Zealand used to target funding and support to more needy schools....
of 9 and a roll of 107. The school was established in 1858, and is the second oldest school still in operation on its original site in the country.
The current principal is Lil Ogle.