Waotu or Te Waotu is a rural community in the South Waikato District and Waikato region of New Zealand's North Island.[1]

The area includes a landscape of rolling dairy farms on the site of a former ancient forest.[2] Some native bush remains, including the first privately natural feature in New Zealand protected by covenant.[3]

History and culture

Early history

The Ngāti Kahupungapunga tribe were the first to settle the area. Ngāti Raukawa followed in the 16th century.

Pirauiti, situated at Waotu, is one of about 13 pā or fortified villages along the Waikato River.[4] It is of significance to Ngāti Huri and is believed to date from the 14th or 15th centuries.[4] It has been quarried and extensively damaged by J Swap Contracting.[4]

European settlers arrived in the late 19th century, clearing most of the land for farmland by the end of the century.

A school was established at Waotu in 1886 and relocated to its current site in 1969.[2]

20th century

Young men from Waotu made a long journey into Hamilton in 1915 to enlist for service in World War I.[5]

The Duxfield Reserve picnic site was donated by councillor John Duxfield in 1968.[2]

The 16-hectare (40-acre) Jim Barnett Reserve, established in 1992, features Totara and Rimu.[2][6] An ancient bush survived at this site during the Taupō Volcano eruption of 186 CE, but much of it was harvested for timber during the 1920s.

A further 50-hectare (120-acre) site was cleared for farming in the 1970s. This prompted a neighbouring couple, Gordon and Celia Stephenson, to co-found the Queen Elizabeth II National Trust in 1977. In 1979 they became the first landowners in New Zealand to covenant private land, opting to protect 4 hectares of remaining native bush on their farm.[3]

21st century

English student Matthew Purchase was shot during a hunting trip in Waotu in 2009.[7] He survived with serious injuries.[8]

Police uncovered a substantial cannabis growing operation in Waotu in January 2019.[9]

Marae

Waotu has two tribal meeting grounds for local Ngāti Raukawa hapū: Matiti Pā and Waotu Centennial Hall is a meeting place for Ngāti Maihi, and Pikitū Marae and Huri meetinghouse are affiliated with Ngāti Huri.[10][11] Pikitū Marae operates a worm farm and strict recycling programme.[12]

In October 2020, the Government committed $109,254 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade the Pikitū Marae, creating an estimated 10 jobs.[13]

Education

Te Waotu School is a co-educational state primary school,[14][15] with a roll of 101 as of April 2023.[16][17]

Former principal Bruce Darroch was jailed on child pornography charges in 2016.[18][19] His offending related to 11 boys at the school.[20]

The school was as at risk of overcrowding in 2017.[21]

References

  1. ↑ Hariss, Gavin. "Waotu, Waikato". topomap.co.nz. NZ Topo Map.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Waotu". southwaikato.govt.nz. South Waikato District Council.
  3. 1 2 Riddle, Charles (20 January 2018). "Obituary: Celia's love for nature a big part of her life". Stuff. Waikato Times.
  4. 1 2 3 Wall, Tony (28 January 2022). "Pā Wars: Blasting at quarry blamed for partly destroying ancient village". Stuff. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  5. ↑ Stowers, Richard (23 April 2015). "Richard Stowers tells the story of Waikato's Anzacs". Stuff.
  6. ↑ South Waikato District Council (2021). South Waikato District Council Rural Reserves Management Plan 2020. pp. 20–22.
  7. ↑ "Parents' delight as Matthew brought back from the dead". getreading.co.uk. 5 March 2008.
  8. ↑ "Matthew Purchase looks to future". BBC News. 13 April 2010.
  9. ↑ Bathgate, Benn (26 January 2019). "South Waikato farmers guilty of near million dollar cannabis operation". Stuff. Waikato Times.
  10. ↑ "Te Kāhui Māngai directory". tkm.govt.nz. Te Puni Kōkiri.
  11. ↑ "Māori Maps". maorimaps.com. Te Potiki National Trust.
  12. ↑ Ferguson, Frances (6 May 2016). "Pikitu Marae a sustainable example". Stuff. Waikato Times.
  13. ↑ "Marae Announcements" (Excel). growregions.govt.nz. Provincial Growth Fund. 9 October 2020.
  14. ↑ "Te Waotu School Official School Website". tewaotu.school.nz.
  15. ↑ "Te Waotu School Ministry of Education School Profile". educationcounts.govt.nz. Ministry of Education.
  16. ↑ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  17. ↑ "Te Waotu School Education Review Office Report". ero.govt.nz. Education Review Office.
  18. ↑ Bathgate, Benn (7 March 2016). "Ex Waikato school head in court on child exploitation charges". Stuff. Waikato Times.
  19. ↑ Bathgate, Beth (16 March 2016). "From principal to pariah: Darroch guilty on child porn charges". Stuff. Waikato Times.
  20. ↑ Bathgate, Benn (16 January 2018). "South Waikato paedophile principal now on parole". Stuff. Waikato Times.
  21. ↑ Biddle, Donna-Lee (5 June 2017). "Overcrowded and at capacity - Waikato schools at risk". Stuff. Waikato Times.

38°08′43″S 175°41′24″E / 38.145153°S 175.689992°E / -38.145153; 175.689992

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