Taharoa

Tahāroa is a small village on the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand, to the southwest of Kawhia Harbour. The main industrial activity is iron sand mining, run by New Zealand Steel.

The population was 216 in the 2006 census, a decrease of 33 from 2001. Māori make up 87.9% of the population.

History

File:Taharoa ironsand symbol.jpg

The plaque below the symbol reads - The Prime Minister, the Rt Hon. N E Kirk, unveiled this symbol of co-operation between New Zealand Steel Limited and the Maori people of Taharoa to mark the official opening of the Taharoa ironsands operation on November 24, 1973.

It was at times the temporary home of the great Te Rauparaha used mainly as a battle ground on the vast expanses of sand dunes evident by the number of finds over the years, by 1822 they were being forced out of their land by stronger northern tribes. Te Rauparaha then began a fighting retreat or migration southwards, one which ended with them controlling a small part of the North Island and particularly Kapiti Island, which became the tribal stronghold.