Whangaruru

Whangaruru
Map
Coordinates: 35°20′51″S 174°19′35″E / 35.34750°S 174.32639°E / -35.34750; 174.32639
CountryNew Zealand
RegionNorthland Region
DistrictWhangarei District
WardHikurangi-Coastal Ward
Government
 • Territorial AuthorityWhangarei District Council
 • Regional councilNorthland Regional Council
Area
 • Total2.03 km2 (0.78 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2024)[2]
 • Total200
 • Density99/km2 (260/sq mi)

Whangaruru is a rural community and harbour on the east coast of Northland, New Zealand. Mokau, Helena Bay, Whakapara, Hikurangi and Whangārei are to the south and the Bay of Islands is to the northwest.[3][4]

The Whangaruru area includes the villages of Punaruku west of the harbour, Whangaruru north of the harbour, and Whangaruru North east of the harbour.

The area was reputedly named by Puhimoanariki who was sailing up the coast. After searching for a long time he found shelter from bad weather there.[5] The name "Whangaruru" is a Māori-language word meaning "sheltered harbour",[6] and is a direct linguistic cognate with "Honolulu" in the related Hawaiian language.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Area was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  3. ^ Peter Dowling, ed. (2004). Reed New Zealand Atlas. Reed Books. pp. map 5. ISBN 0-7900-0952-8.
  4. ^ Roger Smith, GeographX (2005). The Geographic Atlas of New Zealand. Robbie Burton. pp. map 21. ISBN 1-877333-20-4.
  5. ^ "History of Whangaruru". Department of Conservation.
  6. ^ "Whāngārei tribes - Ancestors". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand.