Bream Bay
Encyclopedia
Bream Bay is a locality and bay on the east coast of New Zealand. Captain James Cook
named this area to the bay itself, but also the some surrounding locations, stretching north to Whangarei
and southbound touching Mangawhai
.
However, 'Bream Bay' is loosely used as a collaboration of the three major towns that satellite the main metropolitan area which are Ruakaka
, One Tree Point
and Waipu
. The physical bay itself geographically spreads from the mouth of Whangarei Harbour (Bream Head), 22 kilometers south, to the southern most point of Waipu Cove (Bream Tail). The area also inhabits 3 native reserve islands, located just off the coast of Bream Bay, The Hen and Chickens Islands and Sail Rock Island.
after noticing that the bay's waters were populated a vast number of Bream, although it is now thought he was mistaken with snapper
). He also named, in the same vein, Bream Head and Bream Tail which are the areas at the very top and bottom of the bay itself.
area is made up of Ruakaka Beach, Ruakaka Township and Marsden Point. Ruakaka has seen development due to its proximity to the expansion of the country's only oil refinery at Marsden Point
during the 1980s. A recently established timber processing plant at Marsden Point has further stimulated growth. The population of the Marsden Point-Ruakaka statistical area was 2,916 in the 2006 Census, an increase of 258 from 2001. This figure includes the town of One Tree Point, and the off-spring area of Takahiwai. Ruakaka is a combination of the two words "Rua" and "Kaka". Rua is a Maori word for two and Kaka is a native parrot (Nestor meridionalis). Access can be granted directley from State Highway 1.
, has peeled away from the Ruakaka township as it begins to grow. Along with its off-spring area of Takahiwai, they are positioned along Whangarei Harbour. One Tree Point is a fast growing community catering to the lifestyle blocks of the northern Bream Bay area. One Tree Point is made up of One Tree Point, Marsden Cove, Takahiwai and the Eastern blocks of Marsden Point. Access is gained through Port Marsden Motorway via Ruakaka or by marine access.
James Cook
Captain James Cook, FRS, RN was a British explorer, navigator and cartographer who ultimately rose to the rank of captain in the Royal Navy...
named this area to the bay itself, but also the some surrounding locations, stretching north to Whangarei
Whangarei
Whangarei, pronounced , is the northernmost city in New Zealand and the regional capital of Northland Region. Although commonly classified as a city, it is officially part of the Whangarei District, administered by the Whangarei District Council a local body created in 1989 to administer both the...
and southbound touching Mangawhai
Mangawhai
Mangawhai is a locality in Northland, New Zealand around the Mangawhai Harbour. The township of Mangawhai is at the south west extent of the harbour, and the township of Mangawhai Heads is 5 km north east...
.
However, 'Bream Bay' is loosely used as a collaboration of the three major towns that satellite the main metropolitan area which are Ruakaka
Ruakaka
Ruakaka is a small township in the north of New Zealand approximately 30 kilometres south of Whangarei in the Bream Bay area. Originally a small beachside community, Ruakaka has seen development due to its proximity to the expansion of the country's only oil refinery at Marsden Point during the 1980s...
, One Tree Point
One Tree Point
One Tree Point may refer to:*A locality within Padstow Heights, New South Wales, Australia.*A locality on Marsden Bay, New Zealand...
and Waipu
Waipu
Waipu is a small town in Bream Bay, in the Northland Region of New Zealand, with a Scottish heritage. The population was 1,491 in the 2006 Census, an increase of 222 from 2001. A highlight of the town's calendar is the annual Highland Games held at New Year...
. The physical bay itself geographically spreads from the mouth of Whangarei Harbour (Bream Head), 22 kilometers south, to the southern most point of Waipu Cove (Bream Tail). The area also inhabits 3 native reserve islands, located just off the coast of Bream Bay, The Hen and Chickens Islands and Sail Rock Island.
Naming
Bream Bay was named by Captain James CookJames Cook
Captain James Cook, FRS, RN was a British explorer, navigator and cartographer who ultimately rose to the rank of captain in the Royal Navy...
after noticing that the bay's waters were populated a vast number of Bream, although it is now thought he was mistaken with snapper
Lutjanidae
Snappers are a family of perciform fish, mainly marine but with some members inhabiting estuaries, feeding in freshwater. Some are important food fish. One of the best known is the red snapper....
). He also named, in the same vein, Bream Head and Bream Tail which are the areas at the very top and bottom of the bay itself.
Ruakaka
RuakakaRuakaka
Ruakaka is a small township in the north of New Zealand approximately 30 kilometres south of Whangarei in the Bream Bay area. Originally a small beachside community, Ruakaka has seen development due to its proximity to the expansion of the country's only oil refinery at Marsden Point during the 1980s...
area is made up of Ruakaka Beach, Ruakaka Township and Marsden Point. Ruakaka has seen development due to its proximity to the expansion of the country's only oil refinery at Marsden Point
Marsden Point
Marsden Point is a head of the Whangarei Harbour, near Whangarei, New Zealand, lying close to the northern tip of Bream Bay. It is also a major industrial area, containing Marsden Point Oil Refinery, the country's only such facility, and two large defunct power plant stations...
during the 1980s. A recently established timber processing plant at Marsden Point has further stimulated growth. The population of the Marsden Point-Ruakaka statistical area was 2,916 in the 2006 Census, an increase of 258 from 2001. This figure includes the town of One Tree Point, and the off-spring area of Takahiwai. Ruakaka is a combination of the two words "Rua" and "Kaka". Rua is a Maori word for two and Kaka is a native parrot (Nestor meridionalis). Access can be granted directley from State Highway 1.
One Tree Point
One Tree Point, once considered part of RuakakaRuakaka
Ruakaka is a small township in the north of New Zealand approximately 30 kilometres south of Whangarei in the Bream Bay area. Originally a small beachside community, Ruakaka has seen development due to its proximity to the expansion of the country's only oil refinery at Marsden Point during the 1980s...
, has peeled away from the Ruakaka township as it begins to grow. Along with its off-spring area of Takahiwai, they are positioned along Whangarei Harbour. One Tree Point is a fast growing community catering to the lifestyle blocks of the northern Bream Bay area. One Tree Point is made up of One Tree Point, Marsden Cove, Takahiwai and the Eastern blocks of Marsden Point. Access is gained through Port Marsden Motorway via Ruakaka or by marine access.
Waipu
Waipu is the south-most and largest township community in the Tri-Bream Bay area. The population was 1,491 in the 2006 Census, an increase of 222 from 2001. Waipu features a variety of attractions ranging from surf beaches, caves, waterfalls to memorable dining. Waipu is fast gaining international immigrants and is seen to be Bream Bay's only chance at a kept rural community, with the socio/economic growth been delivered by Ruakaka/One Tree Point. Access is gained from State Highway 1 or through back roads via Mangatoroto via Wellsford.The Islands
The Hen & Chicken Islands and Sailrock Island are the nature reserve islands located just off the coast of Bream Bay. There is no human population on any of the 3 Islands.Climate
The region's geographical location results in warm humid summers and mild winters. Typical summer temperatures range from 22 °C to 26 °C (72 °F to 79 °F). Ground frosts are virtually unknown. The hottest months are January and February. Typical annual rainfall for the region is 1500 – 2000 mm. Winds year-round are predominantly from the southwest.Education
- Bream Bay CollegeBream Bay CollegeBream Bay College is a secondary school located in Northland, New Zealand. Situated at the central hub of the area, Bream Bay College serves this area along with One Tree Point, Whangarei and Whangarei Heads to the north, the Marae-based community of Takahiwai to the West, the strongly held...
is a secondary (years 7-15) school with a roll of 457.
- Ruakaka School is a contributing primary (years 1-6) school. It has a roll of 127.
- One Tree PointOne Tree PointOne Tree Point may refer to:*A locality within Padstow Heights, New South Wales, Australia.*A locality on Marsden Bay, New Zealand...
is a contributing primary (years 1-6) school. It has a roll of 181 and a decile rating of 4.
- Waipu Primary is a contributing primary school.
- Both schools are coeducational and have a decile ratingSocio-Economic DecileDecile, Socio-Economic Decile or Socio-Economic Decile Band is a widely used measure in education in New Zealand used to target funding and support to more needy schools....
of 4.
- Ruakaka School opened in 1898 in North Ruakaka. Until 1916 it was a half-time school sharing a teacher with Mata School. The school moved to its present site in 1912. Bream Bay College started in 1972 as a Forms 3-7 (years 9-13) school on the site of Waipu District High School. It moved to Ruakaka in February 1974 and expanded to include Forms 1 and 2 (years 7-8).
- A school existed at Bream Tail in the early part of the 20th Century.
Attractions and landmarks
The following is a list of tourist attractions and landmarks in the Bream Bay Area.- Ruakaka Race Course
- New Zealand Oil Refinery Visitors Centre
- Waipu Golf Course
- Waipu Pizza Barn
- The Shearing Shed
- Ruakaka Kitesports
- Marsden Cove