Ruawai is a small town located 30 km south of Dargaville in Northland, New Zealand.The name literally translated from Maori means 'two waters' referring to the nearby Northern Wairoa River and Kaipara Harbour. The township primarily serves the outlying farming area which consists mainly of cattle farming and kumara growing and the town declared itself as the Kumara capital of the world.[1]The local Naumai Marae and Ngā Uri o te Kotahitanga meeting house is a traditional meeting place for Ngāti Whātua and Te Uri o Hau.
The statistical area of Ruawai-Matakohe, which at 530 square kilometres is much larger than this town, had a population of 2,436 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 147 people (6.4%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 201 people (9.0%) since the 2006 census. There were 948 households. There were 1,281 males and 1,152 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.11 males per female. Of the total population, 447 people (18.3%) were aged up to 15 years, 345 (14.2%) were 15 to 29, 1,164 (47.8%) were 30 to 64, and 480 (19.7%) were 65 or older. Figures may not add up to the total due to rounding.
Ethnicities were 85.8% European/Pākehā, 26.2% Māori, 2.5% Pacific peoples, 1.0% Asian, and 1.7% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 9.2, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people objected to giving their religion, 53.9% had no religion, 28.9% were Christian, and 5.8% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 177 (8.9%) people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 594 (29.9%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $23,600. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 852 (42.8%) people were employed full-time, 309 (15.5%) were part-time, and 81 (4.1%) were unemployed.[4]
Ruawai town had a population of 471 at the 2018 census, an increase of 39 since 2013. There were 240 males and 231 females. 79.6% identified as European/Pākehā, and 37.6% as Māori.
This outlandish mountain, like something from a fantasy landscape, is actually a rare phenomenon – it’s the plug of an ancient volcano. The material around the plug has eroded over time, leaving only the hardened lava core. It is located on Tokatoka Road, off State Highway 12, 17 kilometres south of Dargaville.
The Trail runs south along the stopbank from Ruawai Wharf for 4km to the end of Simpson Road. It is suitable for all ages and abilities. The ride offers views of the Kaipara Harbour and access to a very special wide-open space.
The Ruawai Flats were once a tidal swamp and over the past 100 years a man-made system of drains, floodgates and stopbanks have transformed it into some of the most fertile and productive kumara and dairy farmland in Northland. See the floodgates operating, learn about the history of the area from informative signs and observe the wildlife as you ride.
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