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Kumeu (district)
Encyclopedia
Kumeu is a small town 25 km north-west of the Auckland City
centre in New Zealand
. State Highway 16
and the North Auckland Line pass through the town. Huapai
lies to the west, Riverhead
to the north, Whenuapai
to the east, West Harbour to the south-east, and Taupaki
to the south.
The population was 6,603 in the 2006 Census
, an increase of 933 from 2001.
n coast of Croatia
, many of whom were part of traditional winegrowing
families. At the 2006 Census, the median income of people in the Kumeu area unit was $30,600, compared with $26,800 for the whole Auckland Region. The unemployment rate in Kumeu was 2.9 percent, compared with 5.6 percent for Auckland.
and Sauvignon Blanc
wines. The wine growing district is the main industry in both Kumeu itself and the smaller nearby settlements of Huapai and Waimauku.
in the Southern Hemisphere
on 34 hectares (80 acres) of land owned by the Kumeu District Agricultural and Horticultural Society, on the second weekend in March every year. The nearby localities of Woodhill forest and Muriwai Beach
means it has strong recreational interests.
The Kumeu Showgrounds are also the venue for the annual Auckland Folk Festival, a 4-day event of music, dancing and workshops, now in its 28th year. The festival is generally held over the last weekend in January.
railway. This line linked Kumeu to Riverhead, where ferries ran to Auckland, and operated from 1875 until 1881. In 1881, the North Auckland Line reached Kumeu, making the town a railway junction. This status lasted a mere five days; the new railway from Auckland made the line to Riverhead redundant and it was accordingly closed.
In June 2007 it was announced that suburban rail services would be extended to Helensville
in 2008, with temporary stations to be built at Huapai and Waimauku
. The service commenced on 14 July 2008 for a one-year trial period.
of 5 and a roll of 72.
The majority of primary school-age students attend schools in surrounding suburbs. The closest secondary schools are Kaipara College
, Massey High School
, Liston College, Albany Junior High School
and St Dominic's College. Some students commute by train to Marist College
(girls) or St Peter's College
(boys).
Auckland City
Auckland City was the city and local authority covering the Auckland isthmus and most of the islands of the Hauraki Gulf, in the North Island of New Zealand. On 1 November 2010 it was amalgamated into the wider Auckland Region under the authority of the new Auckland Council...
centre in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. State Highway 16
New Zealand State Highway 16
State Highway 16 is a New Zealand state highway linking Auckland City with Wellsford, via Auckland's Northwestern Motorway, Helensville and Kaukapakapa...
and the North Auckland Line pass through the town. Huapai
Huapai
Huapai is a locality north-west of Auckland, New Zealand. State Highway 16 and the North Auckland Line pass through it. Kumeu is to the east, Riverhead to the north-east, and Waimauku to the west....
lies to the west, Riverhead
Riverhead, New Zealand
Riverhead is a small, historically predominantly working-class town located at the head of the Waitemata Harbour in the north-west of Auckland, New Zealand. The region around Riverhead and the neighbouring towns of Kumeu and Huapai is known for its vineyards...
to the north, Whenuapai
Whenuapai
Whenuapai is a suburb and airport located in the western Waitakere area of Auckland City, in the North Island of New Zealand. It is located on the northwestern shore of the Waitemata Harbour, 15 kilometres to the northwest of Auckland's city centre. It is one of the landing points for the Southern...
to the east, West Harbour to the south-east, and Taupaki
Taupaki
Taupaki is a locality in the Rodney District of New Zealand. Kumeu lies to the north-west, Whenuapai to the north-east, West Harbour to the east, Massey to the south-east, Swanson to the south, and Waitakere to the south-west...
to the south.
The population was 6,603 in the 2006 Census
New Zealand Census of Population and Dwellings
The New Zealand government department Statistics New Zealand conducts a census of population and dwellings every five years. The census scheduled for 2011 was cancelled due to circumstances surrounding the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake, however, and legislation introduced to hold the next...
, an increase of 933 from 2001.
Settlement and statistics
The district was originally settled by immigrants from the DalmatiaDalmatia
Dalmatia is a historical region on the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea. It stretches from the island of Rab in the northwest to the Bay of Kotor in the southeast. The hinterland, the Dalmatian Zagora, ranges from fifty kilometers in width in the north to just a few kilometers in the south....
n coast of Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
, many of whom were part of traditional winegrowing
Vintner
A vintner is a wine merchant. You pronounce it like this In some modern use, in particular in American English, the term is alsoused as a synonym for winemaker....
families. At the 2006 Census, the median income of people in the Kumeu area unit was $30,600, compared with $26,800 for the whole Auckland Region. The unemployment rate in Kumeu was 2.9 percent, compared with 5.6 percent for Auckland.
Industry
Areas surrounding the Kumeu district produce labels such as Kumeu River, Cooper's Creek and Matua Valley, and Nobilo's have gained a good reputation for their ChardonnayChardonnay
Chardonnay is a green-skinned grape variety used to make white wine. It is originated from the Burgundy wine region of eastern France but is now grown wherever wine is produced, from England to New Zealand...
and Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is a green-skinned grape variety which originates from the Bordeaux region of France. The grape most likely gets its name from the French word sauvage and blanc due to its early origins as an indigenous grape in South West France., a possible descendant of savagnin...
wines. The wine growing district is the main industry in both Kumeu itself and the smaller nearby settlements of Huapai and Waimauku.
- Kumeu River Wines, established in 1944.
- Coopers Creek, established in 1980.
- Landmark Estate, founded in 1937.
- Matua Valley
- Nobilos was established in 1943 by Nikola Nobilo and remained family owned until the late 1990s. Now known as Nobilo Wine Group, the company is New Zealand's second largest wine company.
Activities
The area is popular for lifestyle block farming and equestrian pursuits. The Kumeu Agricultural and Horticultural Society hosts one of the largest annual showsAgricultural show
An agricultural show is a public event showcasing the equipment, animals, sports and recreation associated with agriculture and animal husbandry. The largest comprise a livestock show , a trade fair, competitions, and entertainment...
in the Southern Hemisphere
Southern Hemisphere
The Southern Hemisphere is the part of Earth that lies south of the equator. The word hemisphere literally means 'half ball' or "half sphere"...
on 34 hectares (80 acres) of land owned by the Kumeu District Agricultural and Horticultural Society, on the second weekend in March every year. The nearby localities of Woodhill forest and Muriwai Beach
Muriwai
Muriwai, also called Muriwai Beach, is a coastal community located on the west coast of North Island, New Zealand. It is also home to a large colony of gannets.- Location :...
means it has strong recreational interests.
Music
Since 1948 Kumeu has had a brass band, competing in many events, and playing in parades, concerts & private Functions, traditional & modern music for all occasions.The Kumeu Showgrounds are also the venue for the annual Auckland Folk Festival, a 4-day event of music, dancing and workshops, now in its 28th year. The festival is generally held over the last weekend in January.
Transport
The North Auckland railway line passes through Kumeu, and for six years the town was the terminus of the isolated Kumeu-Riverhead SectionKumeu-Riverhead Section
The Kumeu-Riverhead section was a short-lived railway line north-west of Auckland, New Zealand. It was built as part of the Kaipara-Riverhead Railway, which was isolated from the national railway network until 1881, just before closure of this section....
railway. This line linked Kumeu to Riverhead, where ferries ran to Auckland, and operated from 1875 until 1881. In 1881, the North Auckland Line reached Kumeu, making the town a railway junction. This status lasted a mere five days; the new railway from Auckland made the line to Riverhead redundant and it was accordingly closed.
In June 2007 it was announced that suburban rail services would be extended to Helensville
Helensville, New Zealand
Helensville is a town in the North Island of New Zealand. It is sited 40 kilometres northwest of Auckland, close to the southern extremity of the Kaipara Harbour. State Highway 16 passes through the town, connecting it to Waimauku 16 km to the south, and Kaukapakapa about 12 km to the...
in 2008, with temporary stations to be built at Huapai and Waimauku
Waimauku
Waimauku is a small locality in the Auckland Region of New Zealand. It is in the Western Ward of the Rodney District. Waimauku is approximately 4 kilometres west of Huapai on State Highway 16 at the junction with the road to Muriwai Beach. Helensville is 16 km to the north-west...
. The service commenced on 14 July 2008 for a one-year trial period.
Education
The only school in Kumeu is the state integrated Hare Krishna School, which is a coeducational full primary serving years 1-8 with a decile ratingSocio-Economic Decile
Decile, 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 5 and a roll of 72.
The majority of primary school-age students attend schools in surrounding suburbs. The closest secondary schools are Kaipara College
Kaipara College
Kaipara College is a secondary school in Helensville, New Zealand. The current principal is John Grant.The school began as Helensville District High School in 1924, and changed its name to Kaipara College in 1959...
, Massey High School
Massey High School
Massey High School is a co-educational state secondary school in Auckland, New Zealand established in 1969. The school is located on the western edge of the city, giving it a blend of suburban and rural students. It has experienced significant roll growth over the past few years and is now the...
, Liston College, Albany Junior High School
Albany Junior High School
Albany Junior High School is situated in North Harbour, Auckland, New Zealand. Opened in 2005, it was the first purpose built Junior High in New Zealand. The concept of a junior high school, although common in the United States, is controversial in New Zealand...
and St Dominic's College. Some students commute by train to Marist College
Marist College, New Zealand
Marist College is a Catholic girls high-school located in Mount Albert, Auckland, New Zealand. It teaches from year 7 through to Year 13 with a curriculum based on Roman Catholicism...
(girls) or St Peter's College
St Peter's College, Auckland
St Peter's College is a Catholic college for year 7 to 13 boys . The school, located in Auckland, is one of the largest Catholic schools in New Zealand and is an integrated school under an integration agreement entered into by the Catholic Bishop of Auckland and the Government of New Zealand in...
(boys).
Place names
Māori place names:- Huapai – good fruit
- Kumeu – pulling the breast (action used to incite a war party)
- Muriwai – backwater or junction of streams