Ruatapu, New Zealand
Ruatapu | |
|---|---|
 Ruatapu, with Lake Mahinapua shown in the foreground, and the Tasman Sea in the background. | |
Interactive map of Ruatapu | |
| Coordinates: 42°48′21″S 170°53′20″E / 42.80583°S 170.88889°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | West Coast |
| District | Westland District |
| Electorates | West Coast-Tasman Te Tai Tonga |
| Area | |
• Total | 15.53 km2 (6.00 sq mi) |
| Population (2023 census)[2] | |
• Total | 84 |
| • Density | 5.4/km2 (14/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+12 (NZST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+13 (NZDT) |
| Postcode | 7883 |
| Area code | 03 |
| Local iwi | Ngāi Tahu |
Ruatapu is a small town in the Westland District in the West Coast region of the South Island of New Zealand. The town's name stems from Ruatapu, a figure in Māori mythology. The town is located on a narrow strip of land between the Tasman Sea and Lake Mahinapua, a shallow lake that was originally a coastal lagoon. State Highway 6 runs through Ruatapu, connecting it to the nearby towns of Hokitika and Ross. The town's economy is based upon agriculture, as well as a large sawmill, operated by Westco Lagan, which mills radiata pine for further processing in Christchurch.[3]
History
Railway
On 9 November 1906, the Midland railway line, running from Greymouth to Hokitika, extended a branch line to Ruatapu. Ruatapu acted as the terminus of the railway until 1 April 1909, when it was opened to Ross, and became known as the Ross Branch. Passenger services ceased on 9 October 1972 and the line closed to all traffic on 24 November 1980. Some of the track bed near Ruatapu can now be driven.[4]
Sawmill and tramway
Joseph Butler bought 28,000 acres (11,000 ha) of rimu, mataī, and kahikatea bush, between Ruatapu and Ross, for £28,000 in 1907. With his brother William, he formed Butler Brothers Ltd, with the Kauri Timber Co as a major shareholder. A large steam-powered sawmill worked from 1911.[5] A large storm in October 1915 ripped the roof off the sawmill, demolished a hut, and shifted another house from its foundations.[6] An electric-powered mill was built in 1955 after the original had burnt down in 1952 and was rebuilt again after another fire in the early 1980s.[5]
Fletcher Holdings took over the mill in 1961, sold it to Henderson & Pollard Ltd in 1979 and they became part of Carter Holt Harvey in 1987. In 1988 the mill was sold to Westco Lagan Ltd.[5]
Tramways ran up to 20 km (12 mi) south from the mill until replaced by logging trucks in 1960.[5]
Demographics
Ruatapu locality covers 15.53 km2 (6.00 sq mi).[1] It is part of the larger Hokitaka Rural statistical area.[7]
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 117 | — |
| 2013 | 75 | −6.16% |
| 2018 | 72 | −0.81% |
| 2023 | 84 | +3.13% |
| Source: [2][8] | ||
Ruatapu had a population of 84 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 12 people (16.7%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 9 people (12.0%) since the 2013 census. There were 42 males and 42 females in 54 dwellings.[9] 3.6% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 41.8 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 18 people (21.4%) aged under 15 years, 12 (14.3%) aged 15 to 29, 39 (46.4%) aged 30 to 64, and 12 (14.3%) aged 65 or older.[2]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 75.0% European (Pākehā), 35.7% Māori, 3.6% Pasifika, 7.1% Asian, and 7.1% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 92.9%, Māori by 7.1%, and other languages by 7.1%. No language could be spoken by 7.1% (e.g. too young to talk). The percentage of people born overseas was 10.7, compared with 28.8% nationally.[2]
Religious affiliations were 28.6% Christian and 3.6% New Age. People who answered that they had no religion were 64.3%, and 3.6% of people did not answer the census question.[2]
Of those at least 15 years old, 6 (9.1%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 33 (50.0%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 27 (40.9%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $33,600, compared with $41,500 nationally. 3 people (4.5%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 30 (45.5%) full-time and 9 (13.6%) part-time.[2]
Education
Ruatapu Primary School opened in 1907[10] and closed about 1969.[11]
References
- 1 2 "Stats NZ Geographic Data Service". Statistical Area 1 2023 (generalised). Retrieved 3 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. 7023768. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ↑ Operations – Westco Lagan Limited. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
- ↑ David Leitch and Brian Scott, Exploring New Zealand's Ghost Railways, revised edition (Wellington: Grantham House, 1998 [1995]), 60-1.
- 1 2 3 4 Carter, Graeme (February 2019). "The enterprising Butler brothers". NZ Railway Observer: 245–253.
- ↑ STORM IN NEW ZEALAND TOWN. – Warrnambool Standard. Published 21 October 1915. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
- ↑ "Geographic Boundary Viewer". Stats NZ. Statistical Area 1 – 2023 and Statistical Area 2 – 2023.
- ↑ "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. 7023768.
- ↑ "Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ↑ "A guide to researching family & local history at the Hokitika Museum" (PDF). Hokitika Museum. Retrieved 3 July 2026.
- ↑ "Land Disposal - School Site, Ruatapu". Archives New Zealand. Retrieved 3 July 2026.