Whakamaru

Whakamaru /ˈfɑːkəˌmɑːruː/ is a town in the central region of the North Island of New Zealand. The Maori words 'whaka' and 'maru' literally mean to give shelter to, or safeguard.[1]

Whakamaru
Whakamaru
Coordinates: 38.42°S 175.80°E / -38.42; 175.80
CountryNew Zealand
RegionWaikato

History

The Whakamaru supervolcano eruption (dated to 320–340,000 years ago) is the largest known eruption from the area known as the Taupo Volcanic Zone (TVZ).[2]

The name is a shortened version of Te Whakamarumarutanga o Kahukeke. According to Waikato Tainui oral traditions, Rakatāura / Hape, the tohunga of the Tainui migratory canoe named the area while exploring the interior of the Waikato. His wife Kahukeke fell ill, and named the area for the shelter that he built for his wife as she recovered.[3]

The town of Whakamaru was originally established as accommodation for the Whakamaru Power Station in New Zealand. The Whakamaru switching station, adjacent to the power station, is operated by Transpower, and is an important node on the national grid.

Recreation and amenities

During the summer months Lake Whakamaru is used extensively for water skiing. The Whakamaru Water Ski Club is very busy during the Christmas holidays, although water skiing courses are normally available all year round. Kiwiburn, the New Zealand Burning Man regional, was held annually at the Whakamaru Domain, State Highway 30, from 2007 to 2013.

The town has a resident association, grocery store, cafe, pizza restaurant, and petrol station. Guided walks are available for the nearby Mt Titiraupenga, located at the geographic centre of The North Island.[4]

Education

Whakamaru School is a co-educational state primary school,[5] with a roll of 85 as of March 2022.[6][7]

References
  1. Mighty River Power Generation: Whakamaru, accessed 27 March 2008
  2. K. E. Saunders, D. J. Morgan, J. A. Baker, R. J. Wysoczanski (2010). "The Magmatic Evolution of the Whakamaru Supereruption, New Zealand, Constrained by a Microanalytical Study of Plagioclase and Quartz whakamaru volcano" (PDF). Journal of Petrology. 51 (12): 2465–2488. doi:10.1093/petrology/egq064.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
  3. "Waikato Regional Pest Management Plan 2017/18: Appendix 1: Statutory Acknowledgements" (PDF). Waikato Regional Council. 2017. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  4. "Mount Titiraupenga tracks: Places to go in Pureora Forest Park".
  5. "Whakamaru School Ministry of Education School Profile". educationcounts.govt.nz. Ministry of Education.
  6. "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  7. "Whakamaru School Education Review Office Report". ero.govt.nz. Education Review Office.


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