Hokitika
Hokitika | |
|---|---|
Town | |
 Hokitika township | |
 | |
| Coordinates:42°42′56″S170°58′5″E/ 42.71556°S 170.96806°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | West Coast |
| District | Westland District |
| Ward | Hokitika |
| Settled by Europeans | 1864 |
| Electorates | |
| Government | |
| • Territorial authority | Westland District Council |
| • Regional council | West Coast Regional Council |
| •Mayor of Westland | Helen Lash |
| •West Coast-Tasman MP | Maureen Pugh |
| •Te Tai Tonga MP | Tākuta Ferris |
| Area | |
| • Total | 11.78 km2(4.55 sq mi) |
| Population (June 2023)[2] | |
| • Total | 3,120 |
| • Density | 260/km2(690/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+12(NZST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+13(NZDT) |
| Postcode(s) | 7810 |
| Area code | 03 |
| Localiwi | Ngāi Tahu |
Hokitikais a town in theWest Coastregion of New Zealand'sSouth Island,40 kilometres (25 mi) south ofGreymouth,and close to the mouth of theHokitika River.It is the seat and largest town in theWestland District.The town's estimated population is 3,120 as of June 2023.[2]
On a clear dayAoraki / Mount Cookcan clearly be seen from Hokitika's main street.
Toponymy[edit]
The name Hokitika translates fromMāorias "to return directly" (fromhoki,'to return', andtika,'direct'). According to theMinistry for Culture and Heritage,the name comes from when a band ofNgāi Tahuwarriors in search ofgreenstonewere about to attackNgāti Wairangipā.The chief of the invaders drowned while trying to cross the Hokitika River, and the leaderlesstaua(army) then returned directly to their own home.[3]
History[edit]
The land where Hokitika stands was purchased in 1860 from Māori whenPoutini Ngāi Tahuchiefs signed theArahura Deed.This was the sale of the whole of the West Coast region, apart from small areas reserved for Māori. It was almost 3 million hectares and sold to the Crown for £300.[4][5][6]
Founded ongoldminingin 1864, it was a centre of theWest Coast Gold Rushand grew very quickly.[4]Members of the Jewish community ran stores and businesses and built a synagogue in Tancred St.[7]One of them,John Lazar,was appointed Town Clerk in 1866 and was a prominentFreemason.[7][8]
By late 1866, it was one of New Zealand's most populous centres. On 16 September 1867, there were 41 vessels alongside the wharf at Hokitika, in some places three and four deep. In 1867, the port of Hokitika ranked first in New Zealand in both the number of vessels entered inwards and in the total value of exports; principally gold.
On 8 March 1868 a mock funeral was held in protest about the conviction and hanging of three IrishFeniansinManchester– theManchester Martyrs.The funeral was led by Roman Catholic Father William Larkin and aCeltic Crosswas erected in theHokitika Cemetery.Larkin was later arrested, charged, and convicted of riot and seditious libel.[9]
In 1873 Hokitika became the capital of the short-livedWestland Provincewhich lasted from 1873 until the abolition of provinces in 1876.
In the early 20th century Hokitika had two hospitals, theWestland Hospitaland theSeaview Asylum.[10]
In October 1941,threeHokitika police officers (anda policemanstationed in the neighbouring locality ofKaniere), along with a field instructor for theCanterburyeducation board, were killed when a local farmer,Stanley Graham,went on a shooting rampage and killed seven people, including two armedHome guardpersonnel.
In the ensuing manhunt, the biggest in New Zealand history, overseen by the Commissioner of Police,Denis Cummings,more than 100New Zealand Policeand several hundredNew Zealand Army&Home Guardsearched the area for the gunman for 12 days, with orders to shoot him on sight if found still armed. On 20 October, after being spotted by two police constables and a local civilian carrying his rifle and ammunition belts, Graham was fatally wounded by a police constable and died the next day.[11]
The population has declined greatly since that time but the population of theWestland Districtis now on the rise thanks to "lifestyle inhabitants". Almost 30% of the district's rate-payers live outside of Hokitika.
Geography[edit]
Climate[edit]
Hokitika has anoceanic climate,with mild summers, cool winters, and rainfall evenly distributed across the year. It is one of the wettest places in New Zealand, with over 2,800 mm (110 in) of rainfall per year.
| Climate data forHokitika Airport(1991–2020) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 29.7 (85.5) |
28.4 (83.1) |
26.7 (80.1) |
24.5 (76.1) |
26.7 (80.1) |
18.6 (65.5) |
18.8 (65.8) |
19.8 (67.6) |
22.8 (73.0) |
24.0 (75.2) |
27.4 (81.3) |
27.1 (80.8) |
29.7 (85.5) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 19.5 (67.1) |
19.9 (67.8) |
18.8 (65.8) |
16.6 (61.9) |
14.6 (58.3) |
12.5 (54.5) |
12.0 (53.6) |
12.6 (54.7) |
13.9 (57.0) |
14.9 (58.8) |
16.3 (61.3) |
18.2 (64.8) |
15.8 (60.4) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 15.8 (60.4) |
16.0 (60.8) |
14.7 (58.5) |
12.6 (54.7) |
10.6 (51.1) |
8.4 (47.1) |
7.6 (45.7) |
8.4 (47.1) |
9.9 (49.8) |
11.2 (52.2) |
12.6 (54.7) |
14.5 (58.1) |
11.9 (53.4) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 12.0 (53.6) |
12.1 (53.8) |
10.6 (51.1) |
8.6 (47.5) |
6.5 (43.7) |
4.2 (39.6) |
3.1 (37.6) |
4.2 (39.6) |
5.9 (42.6) |
7.5 (45.5) |
8.8 (47.8) |
10.9 (51.6) |
7.9 (46.2) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 4.7 (40.5) |
3.5 (38.3) |
−0.4 (31.3) |
−0.7 (30.7) |
−2.2 (28.0) |
−3.2 (26.2) |
−4 (25) |
−2.9 (26.8) |
−2.1 (28.2) |
−1.3 (29.7) |
−0.6 (30.9) |
2.9 (37.2) |
−4 (25) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 257.4 (10.13) |
191.7 (7.55) |
213.4 (8.40) |
244.9 (9.64) |
252.8 (9.95) |
261.2 (10.28) |
228.0 (8.98) |
246.9 (9.72) |
244.7 (9.63) |
284.8 (11.21) |
222.9 (8.78) |
272.1 (10.71) |
2,920.8 (114.98) |
| Average rainy days(≥ 1.0 mm) | 12.4 | 10.8 | 12.1 | 13.1 | 15.0 | 14.8 | 14.1 | 15.3 | 16.9 | 17.7 | 14.5 | 15.7 | 172.4 |
| Averagerelative humidity(%) | 83.8 | 87.2 | 87.1 | 85.3 | 87.8 | 87.4 | 85.4 | 85.2 | 81.7 | 84.1 | 80.9 | 82.9 | 84.9 |
| Mean monthlysunshine hours | 214.3 | 193.6 | 177.5 | 142.6 | 116.2 | 103.6 | 126 | 139.6 | 144.9 | 166.1 | 187.7 | 197.5 | 1,909.6 |
| Source 1: NIWA Climate Data[12] | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: CliFlo[13] | |||||||||||||
Hokitika Gorge[edit]
NearbyHokitika Gorgeis a popular short tourist walk, with vibrant blue water and a "swing" (metal rope suspension) bridge.[14][15]
Demographics[edit]
The Hokitika urban area, as defined by Statistics New Zealand, covers 11.78 km2(4.55 sq mi) and is coterminous with the Hokitika statistical area.[1]The urban area has an estimated population of 3,120 as of June 2023,[2]with a population density of 265 people per km2.
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 3,078 | — |
| 2013 | 2,967 | −0.52% |
| 2018 | 2,892 | −0.51% |
| Source:[16] | ||
Before the 2023 census, the town had a smaller boundary, covering 3.91 km2(1.51 sq mi).[1]Using that boundary, Hokitika had a population of 2,892 at the2018 New Zealand census,a decrease of 75 people (−2.5%) since the2013 census,and a decrease of 186 people (−6.0%) since the2006 census.There were 1,305 households, comprising 1,374 males and 1,521 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.9 males per female. The median age was 47.5 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 459 people (15.9%) aged under 15 years, 474 (16.4%) aged 15 to 29, 1,278 (44.2%) aged 30 to 64, and 687 (23.8%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 86.4% European/Pākehā,20.1%Māori,1.7%Pasifika,4.9%Asian,and 1.3% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 11.6, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 47.7% had no religion, 41.3% wereChristian,0.4% hadMāori religious beliefs,0.8% wereHindu,0.4% wereMuslim,0.3% wereBuddhistand 1.3% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 330 (13.6%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 654 (26.9%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $27,300, compared with $31,800 nationally. 318 people (13.1%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 1,146 (47.1%) people were employed full-time, 408 (16.8%) were part-time, and 57 (2.3%) were unemployed.[16]
Economy and culture[edit]
The major industries of greenstone (pounamu),gold,coal,andforestryhave all dwindled over the last century, but a growingecotourismindustry has grown up and the town is starting to show signs of recovery. It has become a major tourist stop on the West Coast's main highway route, with carving of greenstone an important local industry. It is also gaining a reputation for its annualwild food festivalwhich has been running since 1990.[17]
Seaview Asylumwas once the town's biggest employer.[18]
Another important industry is dairying, withWestland Milk Productshaving its headquarters and main processing plant in the town. Westland Milk Products was established as a dairy co-operative in 1937, and was sold to theYili Groupin 2019.[19]It is the country's third-equal largest dairy processor as of 2018.[20]
Hokitika has a 3D digital cinema,[21]the Regent Theatre,[22]due to volunteer hours[23]and grants from the Lions foundation, Lottery's commission,Development West Coastthrough the Major District Initiative[24]and pub charity. The Art Deco theatre is a heritage building and narrowly avoided being demolished, thanks to a last-minute coup in the management committee.[25]Community performances are also held there. Hokitika has a drama group which produce plays. It is also on the circuit for Arts on Tour and well known artists from many countries as well as New Zealand perform at the Old Lodge Theatre.
Every January, Hokitika beach hosts the Driftwood and Sand Festival. The festival involves members of the public and a sponsored artist constructing sculptures out of beach debris. Driftwood and Sand originated in beach festival run by Hokitika artist Donald Buglass in November 2002, and it has been run as an annual festival since 2003.[26]
TheHokitika Museumis housed in the town'sCarnegie librarybuilding. The Hokitika Sock Machine Museum in Revell Street has on display a collection of antique sock-knitting machines. Visitors are invited to knit their own socks.[27]Hokitika also has a modern library, thriving community groups, and many excellent artists.
Marae[edit]
Arahura Marae is located near Hokitika. It is amarae(tribal meeting ground) ofNgāi Tahuand its Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Waewae branch, and includes the Tūhuruwharenui(meeting house).[28][29]
In October 2020, the Government committed $161,131 from theProvincial Growth Fundto upgrade the marae, and create four jobs.[30]
Transport[edit]
Road[edit]
State Highway 6passes through the town.
Rail[edit]
The first rail transport was theHokitika & Kanieri Tramwaylaid with wooden rails was established in 1868, with cars drawn by horses.[31]A road followed in 1873.[32]
Abranch linerailwayknown as theHokitika Branchwas established to the town from Greymouth in 1893, and an extension toRosswas open from 1909 to 1980.
Passengers to Hokitika were initially served bymixed trainsthat carried both goods and passengers. In 1936, these services were augmented by aLeyland dieselrailbusservice that ran from Hokitika to Greymouth,Christchurch,and brieflyReefton.In the early 1940s, theVulcan railcarswere introduced and they provided a twice-daily service between Ross and Christchurch via Hokitika. Themixed trainscontinued to operate until 1967, and all passenger services to Hokitika ceased when the Vulcan railcars stopped running past Greymouth in 1972.[citation needed]
Since then, the line to Hokitika has been freight only with traffic primarily coming from Westland Milk Products.
Shipping[edit]
In 1865, after the discovery of gold in the area, the town became the official port of entry of the West Coast. A boom period ensued when Hokitika was second only to Auckland, with reports of over 40 ships in the harbour at one time, with more waiting offshore. It was a dangerous port, with 108 strandings and 32 ships lost from 1865 to 1867. The lack of nearby coal meant that the port declined rapidly along with the gold, though Hokitika remained an official entry port until the 1950s.[33]
Air[edit]
Air New Zealandprovides two flights a day to Christchurch. TheHokitika Airportis adjacent to the town, immediately to the north-east in the suburb of Seaview.
Hokitika's Southside airfield was the base ofAir Travel,New Zealand's first airline. Air Travel carried passengers, mail and freight south from Hokitika to the glaciers and remote landing strips beyondHaastand north up to Westport. Its first scheduled flight was in December 1934. Directors were Hokitika residents:Bert Mercer,Paul Renton and Harry Newman.
Afterthe second world war,Air Travel wasnationalisedand became part ofNAC.
Education[edit]
A school was described as "recently opened" in Hokitika in 1875, and had nearly 350 students.[34]The Hokitika District High School provided both primary and secondary education for the area for many years. Its name was changed in 1963 toWestland High School,which caters for years 7 to 13 and has a roll of 407.[35]
Hokitika School is a contributing primary (years 1–6) school with a roll of 198.[36]
St Mary's School is a full primary (years 1–8) school with a roll of 118.[37]It is a state integrated Catholic school[38]and is connected withSt Mary's Catholic Church.
All these schools are coeducational. Rolls are as of February 2024.[39]
Notable people[edit]
- Agnes Addison(c.1842–1903), Scottish draper who was one of Hokitika's early businesswomen.
- Margaret Andrews Alcorn(1868–1967) and her sisterMary Alcorn(1866–1928) were interior designers and business owners
- Charles Button(1838–1920), mayor of Hokitika, solicitor, judge, and MP
- John Urquhart Cropp(1927–2016), Olympic yachtsman
- Edward St John Daniel(1837–1868), Victoria Cross recipient, died and is buried in Hokitika
- Charlie Douglas(1840–1916), explorer and surveyor
- Alice Eyton(1874–1929), journalist, screenwriter, playwright, and novelist in Hollywood
- Stanley Graham(1900–1941), a farmer who killed seven people and was the target of New Zealand's biggest manhunt
- Bess Hudson(1875–1961), early nurse, for Dr Teichelmann
- Al Hunter(born 1950), musician, singer-songwriter
- John Lazar(1840–1916), actor, town clerk, mason
- Sharlotte Lucas(born 1991), road cyclist
- Fayne Robinson(born 1964), Māori carver
- Holly Robinson(born 1994), athlete born in Hokitika
- John Rutherford Ryley(1837–1884), who introduced antiseptic technique to New Zealand, was surgeon at Hokitika Hospital at the time
- Richard Seddon(1845–1906), New Zealand politician and Premier
- Ebenezer Teichelmann(1859–1938), surgeon, mountaineer, photographer and conservationist
Notable buildings[edit]
- Hokitika Customhouse,built 1897, a Category I historic place
- The Hokitika Clock Tower,built 1902/3, the most prominent landmark in Hokitika
- Hokitika Museum,housed in the former Carnegie Library, built 1908
- Seaview Asylum,founded 1872 and once the town's biggest employer
- All Saints' Church,a prominent landmark and early unfaced concrete church
- St Andrew's United Church,built in 1935, a good example of a small Gothic parish church
- Renton Hardware building(also known as the Okitiki building), completed in 1908, a Category 2 historic place
- Government Buildings(also known as Seddon House), completed in 1913, a Category 1 historic place
- St Mary's Catholic Church,a Category 1 historic place
- Hokitika Savings Bank building,a Category 2 historic place
Sister cities[edit]
Hokitika has onesister city.
In popular culture[edit]
The events ofThe Luminaries,byEleanor Catton,take place within Hokitika. The book won theMan Booker Prizein 2013.
The novelHokitika Town,byCharlotte Randall,is set in Hokitika.
The 2004 historical novelThe ColourbyRose Tremainis partially set in 1860s Hokitika.
The 1999 movieMagik and Rosewas set in Hokitika.[40]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^abc"ArcGIS Web Application".statsnz.maps.arcgis.com.Retrieved29 April2024.
- ^abc"Subnational population estimates (RC, SA2), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)".Statistics New Zealand.Retrieved25 October2023.(regional councils);"Subnational population estimates (TA, SA2), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)".Statistics New Zealand.Retrieved25 October2023.(territorial authorities);"Subnational population estimates (urban rural), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)".Statistics New Zealand.Retrieved25 October2023.(urban areas)
- ^"Hokitika – NZHistory, New Zealand history online".nzhistory.govt.nz.Retrieved17 February2021.
- ^abNathan, Simon (1 September 2016)."West Coast region – European arrival and settlement".Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand.
- ^Bateman New Zealand historical atlas: ko papatuanuku e takoto nei,McKinnon, Malcolm., Bradley, Barry., Kirkpatrick, Russell., New Zealand. Department of Internal Affairs. Historical Branch., Terralink NZ Limited., Auckland, N.Z.: David Bateman in association with Historical Branch, Dept. of Internal Affairs, 1997,ISBN1-86953-335-6,OCLC39014539,retrieved16 September2020
{{citation}}:CS1 maint: others (link) - ^"The Arahura Deed, 1860".Ngāi Tahu.Retrieved23 December2020.
- ^abGoldman, Lazarus Morris (1958). "A Ghost Synagogue".The History of the Jews in New Zealand.Wellington: Reed. pp. 109–112 – via NZETC.
- ^Read, Peter J; Rooney, Mary; West Coast Historical Museum (1999).Enter the crypt: a brief look at some of the famous and not so famous residents of Hokitika's Seaview Cemetery.Hokitika, N.Z.: West Coast Historical Museum. p. 11.ISBN978-0-473-05854-8.OCLC154673040.
- ^What is Truth, Newsletter – Friends of the Cathedral, Number 71, September 2007, Cathedral House, Christchurch
- ^"Westland and Seaview hospitals".teara.govt.nz.Retrieved7 April2021.
- ^H. A. Willis(1979),Manhunt: the story of Stanley Graham,Whitcoulls,ISBN978-0-7233-0629-0
- ^"Climate data and activities".NIWA. Archived fromthe originalon 20 May 2024.Retrieved20 May2024.
- ^ "CliFlo – National Climate Database".NIWA.Retrieved13 December2015.
- ^https://www.backpackerguide.nz/23-unforgettable-walks-hokitika/"Arguably the most scenic swingbridge in New Zealand!"
- ^"Hokitika Gorge Walk".www.doc.govt.nz.Retrieved17 October2020.
- ^ab"Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census".Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Hokitika (311500).2018 Census place summary: Hokitika
- ^"The story so far..."Archived fromthe originalon 3 March 2007.
- ^"Greymouth unit open".The Press.1 January 2009.Retrieved23 August2011.
- ^Carroll, Joanne (4 July 2019)."Sale of Westland Milk Products was 'inevitable'".Stuff.Retrieved19 March2021.
- ^Fox, Andrea (3 October 2018)."Fonterra hold on raw milk market still 80 per cent despite predictions".NZ Herald.Retrieved11 March2021.
- ^Xpand newsArchived9 February 2013 atarchive.today
- ^"Hokitika's Regent Theatre – movie times & tickets".www.hokitikaregent.com.Retrieved17 October2020.
- ^"Regent Theatre in Hokitika, NZ – Cinema Treasures".cinematreasures.org.Retrieved17 October2020.
- ^"$340k funding".Archived fromthe originalon 25 May 2010.Retrieved12 May2010.
- ^"today 3d article".Archived fromthe originalon 3 March 2016.Retrieved12 May2010.
- ^Carroll, Joanne (24 January 2017)."Driftwood becomes art in Hokitika Beach festival".Stuff.Retrieved31 January2021.
- ^Hokitika Activity Guide.
- ^"Te Kāhui Māngai directory".tkm.govt.nz.Te Puni Kōkiri.
- ^"Māori Maps".maorimaps.com.Te Potiki National Trust.
- ^"Marae Announcements"(Excel).growregions.govt.nz.Provincial Growth Fund.9 October 2020.
- ^Rogers, p 63
- ^Rogers, Anna (2005).Illustrated History of the West Coast.p. 63.ISBN0-7900-1022-4.
- ^"Hokitika Customhouse".New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero.Heritage New Zealand.Retrieved2 May2009.
- ^"Hokitika School".No. 3129. West Coast Times. 15 October 1875. p. 2.
- ^Education Counts: Westland High School
- ^Education Counts: Hokitika School
- ^Education Counts: St Mary's School
- ^"Education Review Report: St Mary's School Hokitika".Education Review Office. May 2008.
- ^"New Zealand Schools Directory".New Zealand Ministry of Education.Retrieved14 March2024.
- ^"Magik and Rose".NZ On Screen.Retrieved18 September2020.
External links[edit]
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
