Taumarunui
|
|
Taumarunui Template:Coor dm is a town in King Country of the Central North Island of New Zealand. It is situated on State Highway 4 and the North Island Main Trunk Railway.
The town is situated in rugged terrain on the upper reaches of the Whanganui River 65 km south of Te Kuiti and 55 km west of Turangi. The town's population is 5136 (2001 census), making it the largest centre for a considerable distance in any direction.
The name Taumarunui is reported to be the dying words of the Maori chief Pehi Taroa - taumaru meaning screen and nui big, literally translated as Big Screen. This screen was being build to shelter him from the sun. There are also references to Taumaruni being known as large sheltered location for growing Kumara (a form of sweet potato from South America).
| Contents |
History
In 1874 Alexander Bell set up a training post, and became the first European settler. The town still has a road called Bell Road.
Taumarunui's location at the junction of the Whanganui and Ongarue Rivers encouraged first the early canoe-borne Maori and then the European (Pakeha) to settle and establish a trading centre. Taumarunui Landing (Image (http://www.riverboats.homestead.com/files/Riverboat_Mix_06.jpg)) was the highest and last stop on Alexander Hatrick's steam boat service from Wanganui, before moving down to Kirikau in 1927 when the road was opened.
Later Taumarunui gained importance with the construction of the railway. The line south of Taumarunui caused considerable problems due to the terrain, and has several high viaducts and the famous Raurimu Spiral. A loop line via Stratford connects just north of Taumarunui. In more recent times, the town's economy has been based on forestry and farming, and more recently it has gained in importance as a tourism centre.
Locality
The Ngapuwaiwaha Marae is located on Taumarunui Street.
On State Highway 4 south of Taumarunui are the villages of Manunui, Piriaka, Owhango and then National Park. To the north are the school and truck stop of Mapiu.
Influential Students from Taumarunui High School
Prof. John C. Butcher - Honorary Research Professor, Department of Mathematics, The University of Auckland (http://www.math.auckland.ac.nz/~butcher/)
External Links
- Local History (http://www.ruapehutourism.co.nz/TAUMARUNUI_HISTORY.htm)
- Taumarunui High School (http://www.taumarunuihigh.school.nz/)
- Taumarunui Airfield (http://www.fallingrain.com/waypoint/NZ/TM.html) (Location of an annual Tiger Moth Fly-in)
- River Boast Landings (http://www.riverboats.homestead.com/RiverboatLandings.html)