Waitara, New Zealand
Settlement in Taranaki Region, New Zealand / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Waitara is a town in the northern part of the Taranaki region of the North Island of New Zealand. Waitara is located just off State Highway 3, 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) northeast of New Plymouth.
Waitara | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 38°59′45″S 174°13′59″E | |
Country | New Zealand |
Region | Taranaki Region |
Territorial authority | New Plymouth District |
Ward |
|
Community | Waitara Community |
Electorates | |
Government | |
• Territorial Authority | New Plymouth District Council |
• Regional council | Taranaki Regional Council |
Area | |
• Total | 5.66 km2 (2.19 sq mi) |
Population (June 2023)[2] | |
• Total | 7,550 |
• Density | 1,300/km2 (3,500/sq mi) |
Postcode(s) | 4320 |
Waitara was the site of the outbreak of the Taranaki Wars in 1860 following the attempted purchase of land for British settlers from its Māori owners. Disputes over land that was subsequently confiscated by the Government continue to this day.
The commonly accepted meaning of the name Waitara is "mountain stream", though Māori legend also states that it was originally Whai-tara—"path of the dart". In 1867 the settlement was named Raleigh, after Sir Walter Raleigh. It reverted to its former name with the establishment of the borough of Waitara in 1904.