Ruakaka
Encyclopedia
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. 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.
are often included in general conversation regarding the area. (Latitude -35.8833, Longitude 174.4000)
Ruakaka Beach lies near the mouth of the Ruakaka River which boasts a rare bird reserve and popular Summer camping ground. It is primarily a residential area made up of a mixture of permanent homes and beach shacks.
The Ruakaka Township was developed off the back of the Marsden Point Oil Refinery
expansion in the 1980s where services were required to support the large influx of workers from all over the world involved in the project. A government requirement for a percentage of revenue invested in the project to be spent on the local community allowed for provision of services not common in communities this size (e.g. squash courts, sports grounds).
The Marsden Power Station Village was built to support the Marsden Power Stations (A & B)
which have since been decommissioned. The area is now promoted as beachside living.
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.
Both schools are coeducational and have a decile rating
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).
railway to Marsden Point from Oakleigh on the North Auckland Line has recently been proposed. This Marsden Point Branch
will primarily serve freight interests, but the Northland Regional Land Transport Committee has suggested that passenger trains for commuters between Ruakaka and Whangarei are a long-term option.
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...
approximately 30 kilometres south of 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...
in the Bream Bay
Bream Bay
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....
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
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.
Naming
Ruakaka is a combination of the two words rua and kaka, rua being a Maori word for "two" and kaka a native parrot (Nestor meridionalis).Districts
The general area is made up of Ruakaka Beach, Ruakaka Township and Marsden Point. Other Bream Bay localities such as One Tree Point, Takahiwai and even WaipuWaipu
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...
are often included in general conversation regarding the area. (Latitude -35.8833, Longitude 174.4000)
The Ruakaka Township was developed off the back of the Marsden Point Oil Refinery
Marsden Point Oil Refinery
Marsden Point Oil Refinery is located at Marsden Point, Whangarei, Northland, New Zealand. It is the only oil refinery in New Zealand, and is operated by Refining NZ....
expansion in the 1980s where services were required to support the large influx of workers from all over the world involved in the project. A government requirement for a percentage of revenue invested in the project to be spent on the local community allowed for provision of services not common in communities this size (e.g. squash courts, sports grounds).
The Marsden Power Station Village was built to support the Marsden Power Stations (A & B)
Marsden B
Marsden B was an unused 250MW oil fired power station near the Marsden Point Oil Refinery at Marsden Point, Ruakaka, Northland, New Zealand. Due to rising oil prices, the plant was mothballed in 1978 without ever being commissioned...
which have since been decommissioned. The area is now promoted as beachside living.
Beaches
The bay has beautiful sandy white beaches looking out towards the Hen and Chicken Islands and Sail Rock.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.History
The area of Ruakaka is located in Bream Bay which was named by Captain Cook during his first voyage to New Zealand when he visited the region on 25 November 1769. It was named due to the ease of capture of 90-100 bream fish soon after anchoring.Education
Bream Bay CollegeBream Bay College
Bream 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.
Both schools are coeducational and have a decile rating
Socio-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 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).
Attractions and landmarks
The following is a list of tourist attractions and landmarks in the Ruakaka Local Area.- Ruakaka Race Course
- New Zealand Oil Refinery Visitors Centre
- Waipu Golf Course
- Waipu Pizza Barn
- The Shearing Shed
- Ruakaka Kitesports
- Ruakaka Reserve Motor Camp www.motorcamp.co.nz
Railway proposal
A branch lineBranch line
A branch line is a secondary railway line which branches off a more important through route, usually a main line. A very short branch line may be called a spur line...
railway to Marsden Point from Oakleigh on the North Auckland Line has recently been proposed. This Marsden Point Branch
Marsden Point Branch
The Marsden Point Branch is a proposed branch line railway in the Northland region of New Zealand's North Island. It would diverge from the North Auckland Line south of Whangarei and serve Northland Port at Marsden Point...
will primarily serve freight interests, but the Northland Regional Land Transport Committee has suggested that passenger trains for commuters between Ruakaka and Whangarei are a long-term option.